June 27, 2024 Trying Together Meets With State Legislators on Importance of Early Care and Education On June 25, advocates from the Early Childhood Education Advocacy Fellowship visited the capitol to share their stories with 20 legislators. Representing parents, providers, and community members, they emphasized the importance of Early Care and Education in policy discussions. Learn More Trying Together’s key campaign asks included: Increasing child care subsidy rates to the 75th percentile to help providers with rising costs Investing $284 million in state funding to recruit and retain child care teachers through wage increases, bonuses, and benefits Supporting a $30 million investment in Pre-K Counts and $8.8 million for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program to address workforce challenges Backing the proposed $16.6 million increase for the Early Intervention program to serve 3,000 more children and address key sector issues The visit ensured that these critical issues were highlighted during the last week of budget negotiations.
June 26, 2024 June Recalls on Children’s Products Parents and caregivers should be aware of several child-related product recalls. Learn More Here is a list of June recalls collected from the following major federal agencies including: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Thousandshores has recalled its Theefun Kids Gardening Tools Sets, which are sold on Amazon, because the brown handle strings contain levels of phthalates that exceed a federal ban. Phthalates are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. Rooms to Go’s six-drawer dressers have been recalled because they are unstable if not anchored to the wall, posing tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in injuries or death to children. The dressers do not comply with the performance requirements of the STURDY Act. Sling carriers sold on Walmart’s website through Joybuy Marketplace Express have been recalled due to infant suffocation and fall hazards. The carriers violate safety requirements regarding structural integrity and occupant retention. The carriers pose fall hazards to babies as well as suffocation hazards. AliExpress has recalled crib bumpers sold by Henan Ouchang Trading and Xinxiang Junshun Trading for suffocation hazards. Infants can suffocate if they roll or move on the crib bumper in a position that obstructs breathing. To learn more about safe sleep practices, see the Safe Sleep Academy resources provided by the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Cribs for Kids.
June 25, 2024 Child Care Career Openings in Pittsburgh Are you looking for open child care positions? Early learning programs in the Greater Pittsburgh Area are hiring! See featured jobs for this week. Child Care Positions in Pittsburgh SITE DIRECTOR – CHILDCARE CENTER Promise Center of Homewood is seeking a director to managing the day-to-day operations of one of its childcare centers. The director would play a crucial role in implementing organizational policies and procedures, ensuring the delivery of exceptional childcare services, and fostering a positive and supportive environment for children, families, and staff. Responsibilities include operational leadership, staff management, curriculum implementation, parent and community engagement, compliance and licensing, budget management, quality assurance, emergency preparedness, professional development, and reporting and communication. Candidates are required to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in early childhood education, child development, business administration, or a related field. They must also have previous experience in a leadership role in a childcare center or educational setting as well as a strong understanding of childcare regulations, licensing requirements, and best practices. Promise Center of Homewood can be reached via email at Hollandave@gmail.com. LEAD INFANT TEACHER Eastminster Child Care Center is seeking a teacher who is experienced with infants and can work a 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule. An associates or bachelor’s degree is required. Those interested in the position should email eccc_director@yahoo.com. PRESCHOOL TEACHER HeartPrints Center for Early Education is seeking a preschool teacher for its early learning center for young children that celebrates creativity, exploration, and strong relationships. The program is influenced by Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and High Scope. The ideal candidate has a passion for early childhood education and a desire to make a difference in the lives of children. The position is responsible for working collaboratively with the classroom education team to provide a nurturing, consistent, developmentally appropriate environment that meets the social-emotional, cognitive, and physical needs of children. The position would begin in August for the 2024-25 school year. Those interested in the position should send a resume to HPC@heartprintsed.org. HEALTHY LIFESTYLES INSTRUCTOR/YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA is seeking a Healthy Lifestyles Instructor to implement social-emotional learning and prevention programming and to include an evidence-based teen education program that promotes positive youth development through a social-emotional curriculum. The role also involves fostering community service learning and supportive relationships with adults, with the overall goal of healthy decision making. They will be responsible for developing materials and facilitating workshops on topics of health, wellness, and life skills related to prevention and whole-person development. The instructor will ensure that students experience personal growth, improved self esteem, and increased knowledge about healthy lifestyles. Those interested in the position should apply online. Submit a Job Trying Together highlights employer-submitted jobs on our website, social media, and in our newsletter. Submit a Job: To make it into next week’s post, submit the Child Care Provider Job Post Submission Form. All jobs submitted after Tuesday each week will be published in the following week’s news post. Publication dates may vary due to state and federal holidays. Unrelated jobs will not be included. For questions, contact Heidi Winkler at heidi@tryingtogether.org. Other Jobs in Early Childhood ECE HIRE Visit the ECE Hire website to view early childhood education job listings and helpful tips on interviewing, resumes, and more. SUBMIT A JOB TO PACCA Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) offers a Job Board for its members to post jobs for free and sends out submitted jobs via their Facebook page and e-newsletter. PACCA members can submit jobs online after signing into their membership account. For questions, contact Maureen Murphy at maureen.murphy@pacca.org. Receive Jobs in Your Inbox To receive the latest job opportunities, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook.
Resources for July Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources can help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for July observances. Month-Long Observances NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH City of Pittsburgh Department of Parks & Recreation, CitiParks Summer Program Guide, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Top Green Spaces and Public Parks in Pittsburgh, Visit Pittsburgh Why Kids Need to Spend Time in Nature, Child Mind Institute Free Worksheet: Thank a Park Ranger Card, Education.com Become a Junior Ranger, National Park Service The Benefits of Outdoor Play: Why It Matters, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia NATIONAL MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO CHILDREN MONTH Most Popular Pittsburgh Children & Youth Nonprofits and Charities, Great Nonprofits Positive Parenting, National Institute of Health The Power of Positive Parenting, UC Davis Health 10 Ways to Build a Strong Parent-Child Relationship, Emotionally Healthy Kids Bonding with Stepchildren: 7 Tips for Building a Strong Relationship, Care.com Three Principles to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families, Harvard University Center on the Developing Child Strategies to Support Black Students, Teachers, and Communities in Schools, Education Northwest 12 Powerful Statistics That Prove Why Teachers Matter, We Are Teachers Family Engagement, Office of Head Start and Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center Raise Child Care, Start Strong PA NATIONAL MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH Prioritizing Minority Mental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) BIPOC Mental Health, Mental Health America Mental Health Disparities: Diverse Populations, American Psychiatric Association Mental Health Doesn’t Discriminate, So Why Do BIPOC Communities Have Difficulty Accessing Care?, Jefferson Center for Mental Health Erasing Mental Health Stigma in the Black Community, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Where to Find Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents in Pittsburgh, The University of Pittsburgh: Youth and Family Research Program BIPOC/AAPI Mental Health Resources, NAMI New Hampshire Anti-Racism Resources for Families, Trying Together Multilingual Trauma Resources, The Child Mind Institute Days of Recognition JULY 4 IS INDEPENDENCE DAY Ways to Celebrate Independence Day in Pittsburgh in 2024, Visit Pittsburgh 23 Crafts and Activities for Independence Day, We Are Teachers A Nation’s Story: What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?, National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) The Fourth of July is a Black American Holiday, The Washington Post Making Our Voices Heard: Books About Activism for Kids, Read Brightly JULY 7 TO JULY 8 IS ISLAMIC NEW YEAR Muharram 2024: When is Islamic New Year?, The Old Farmer’s Almanac Muharram, Calendar United States JULY 14 IS INTERNATIONAL NON-BINARY PEOPLE’S DAY Gender Identity Development in Early Childhood, Trying Together Resource List: LGBTQ+ Organizations, Trying Together A Guide to Gender Identity Terms, NPR & WESA Understanding Nonbinary People: How to Be Respectful and Supportive, National Center for Transgender Equality 10 Ways to Step Up as an Ally to Non-Binary People, Stonewall Children’s Books That Teach Tolerance, Goodreads Early Childhood Book List: Learning About Gender Diversity, Social Justice Books JULY 24 IS NATIONAL PARENTS’ DAY The Best Ways to Celebrate Parents’ Day, American Lifestyle Magazine Caring for the Caregiver, Trying Together Positive Parenting Tips, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series, Trying Together Outside Gender Norms: Father’s Day and Mother’s Day Aren’t Easy Fits for LGBTQ Families, The Standard-Times Parenting Resources for Foster Parents, Child Welfare Information Gateway Being a Step-Parent and Raising Your Partner’s Child, Raising Children Resources to Share With Expectant Families, Office of Head Start Find Child Care, ELRC Region 5 JULY 25 IS WORLD DROWNING PREVENTION DAY Drowning Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Drowning Prevention & Facts, American Red Cross Water Safety at Home, Safe Kids Worldwide Water Safety Tips for Families, Seattle Children’s Hospital Toddler Water Safety: 14 Ways to Keep Safer, Stop Drowning Now Swim and Water Safety, Autism Speaks 4 Places to Get Free Summer Swim Lessons for Kids in the ‘Burgh, Macaroni Kid How to Perform Child and Baby CPR, American Red Cross JULY 26 IS NATIONAL DISABILITY INDEPENDENCE DAY Celebrating National Disability Independence Day, InclusionHub Guide to Disability Rights Laws, U.S. Department of Justice: Civil Rights Division Ideas for Celebrating the ADA, ADAAnniversary.org Disability and Autism Supports, Allegheny County Department of Human Services Disability Resources in the Community, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) 16 Shelf-Worthy Children’s Books About Disabilities for All Students, We Are Teachers Representation Matters: Kids Books That Embrace Disability and Difference, New York Public Library Service Dogs 101 – Everything You Need to Know, American Kennel Club
Afterschool Alliance and NAA Partner for Afterschool Workforce Initiative The Afterschool Alliance and the National AfterSchool Association (NAA) have announced a strategic partnership aimed at fostering a skilled and stable workforce within the afterschool and summer field to ensure increased access to quality programming for children and youth. Learn More The collaboration between the two organizations comes at a time when the nation is coping with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and programs are experiencing staffing shortages while students’ needs are continuing to grow. This is the first time that the two organizations are formally collaborating by combining NAA’s leadership on professional development with the Afterschool Alliance’s policy and advocacy expertise. The needs prompting this collaboration include: Staffing shortages and the ability to recruit staff have been challenges for program providers. More than eight in 10 report concerns in surveys conducted between 2021 and 2023. Program provider surveys in the past three years have found a majority of programs reporting difficulties hiring or retaining staff. The most recent survey in 2023 found that 57% of providers reported this to be the case. Resources that the two organizations have been told would be most helpful for programs include advice on staff burnout and keeping teams engaged. “Research and the lived experience of our workforce shows that skilled and knowledgeable program staff are critical to desired youth outcomes, and our initiative strives to provide research, resources, standards, and best practices to strengthen the workforce,” said NAA CEO Gina Warner. Planned Initiatives The new partnership officially began in March. Activities planned as part of the initiative include: NAA hosted the third annual Workforce Summit as part of the 2024 NAA Convention. NAA began circulating draft national OST Job Quality Standards, set for release on June 25. The Afterschool Alliance and NAA, along with various partners, released a searchable online database featuring promising national, state, and local strategies to address workforce challenges. The Afterschool Alliance and NAA convened afterschool and summer advocates to share resources and strategize at the Alliance’s 23rd annual Afterschool for All Challenge. For more information on the initiative, visit the NAA’s website. About Afterschool Alliance The Afterschool Alliance is the leading national voice for afterschool and summer enrichment programs and the young people and families who depend on these programs to keep youth safe, support working families, and offer enriching learning opportunities. The NAA focuses on supporting, developing, and advocating for those who work with and for youth in out-of-school time.
June 24, 2024 ECELS Warns of Water Bead Dangers for Children Healthy Child Care Pennsylvania’s Early Childhood Education Linkage System (ECELS) is advising parents and early child care providers about the possible dangers of water beads. Learn More Water beads are small, water-absorbing balls of super absorbent polymer that can grow 100 times their original size when exposed to water. They are often sold as toys, in craft kits, as sensory tools, or for use in gardens. Water beads can be deadly to babies and small children if ingested, leading to choking, internal injuries, and even death if left undetected. If the beads are inserted into ears, they can damage ear structure, causing hearing loss and surgery. The beads lead to thousands of emergency room visits every year, according to the ECELS. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges parents and caregivers to remove these products from any environment with children and for child care centers, camps, and schools to avoid these products entirely. Medical treatment should be sought immediately if a child has swallowed a water bead or inserted it into their ear or nose. More information on the beads can be found on the CPSC’s website.
OCDEL Provides Guidance to Identify Toxic Plants in Child Care Settings The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released new guidance on how to identify possibly toxic plants in child care settings. Learn More Guidance to Identifying Toxic Plants in a Child Care Setting covers policies and procedures that child care providers should adhere to regarding plants. It provides information on: Plant identification How to identify whether a plant is toxic Symptoms of contact with a toxic plant Steps to take if a child encounters a toxic plant Prior to bringing a new plant to an indoor or outdoor child care or play space, providers should identify the plant and perform research to determine if any part of it is toxic. According to the announcement, there are more than 700 species of toxic plants in the United States. Many types of plants look similar, so it can be challenging to differentiate between different types. Child care providers with questions about identifying a plant can contact their county extension office. The new guidance also includes an on-demand webinar for certified child care providers that provides an overview of the announcement.
June 19, 2024 Free Air Conditioners Available Through Utility Assistance Program Pennsylvania residents who receive federally funded weatherization assistance could be eligible to get free air conditioners or repairs this summer. The air conditioners are offered through the state’s use of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding. Learn More This is the third summer in which the state is using federal funding from LIHEAP to help residents cool their homes. The program offers eligible state residents two Energy Star-rated room air conditioner units, a unit and a fan, or replacement of an existing but broken central air conditioning system or heat pump. In 2023, Pennsylvania’s program provided more than 3,000 units, more than 300 fans, more than 500 repairs or replacements of air conditioning systems, and 15 repairs or replacements of heat pumps, according to the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development. This summer, a total $5.3 million is allocated for the program, which is estimated could serve about 2,400 households. The state’s program does not offer assistance for electricity bills, which is available in some other states. Signing Up The program will help those who received LIHEAP assistance in the past heating season or are currently receiving weatherization assistance. Those who received weatherization assistance or a LIHEAP crisis grant from a local weatherization agency may be contacted by that agency about the summer cooling program. Those who haven’t heard from an agency should contact their local weatherization agency. A list of those agencies is available online. There is no way to directly apply to the cooling assistance program. In previous years, participants have been required to present a letter confirming their receipt of LIHEAP or weatherization assistance. The program to provide window or A/C units and fans closes on Aug. 31.
June 18, 2024 Report Details the Effects of PA Child Care Crisis on Working Mothers A new report looks at the economic impact of gaps in Pennsylvania’s child care system on working mothers in the state. Learn More ReadyNation and the Council for a Strong America’s “2.4 Billion: The Annual Cost of PA’s Child Care Crisis for Working Mothers” details the amount lost in earnings, productivity, and tax revenue due to gaps in the child care system. According to the report, the three top child care challenges for mothers are: Access (72%) Affordability (67%) Quality (49%) The survey’s data was collected through interviews with 307 mothers with children under age 5. A majority of the mothers reported high rates of disruption from child care programs due to staff shortages or closures. Many of the mothers reported that they relied on a mix of care: more than half of working mothers use multiple, irregular, or informal arrangements for their children. As a result of these challenges, working mothers are having a harder time in the labor market. Many said they were distracted at work, had to leave early for child care, or had their hours or work scheduled reduced due to a lack of care. A quarter of mothers reported having their pay or hours reduced by an employer, one-third said they had lost or quit a job due to child care challenges, and more than half said their career opportunities have been curtailed. Losses Due to Inadequate Child Care The study found that inadequate child care led to a loss of about 12% of working mothers’ earnings. As a result: Working mothers lose, on average, $5,630 annually from unemployment, lower earnings, reduced productivity, and job search expenses. Businesses lose $2,250 annually in reduced revenue and in extra recruitment costs per working mother. Taxpayers lose $1,440 annually in lower federal and state/local taxes per working mother. The full economic cost of inadequate child care for the more than 300,000 working mothers with children under age 5 in Pennsylvania was estimated at $2.4 billion annually. To learn more, read the study in its entirety. About The Council for a Strong America is a national, bipartisan nonprofit that unites membership organizations – including law enforcement leaders, retired admirals and generals, and business executives – that promote solutions ensuring that the next generation of Americans will be successful, productive members of society. ReadyNation is a group of business executives who are building a skilled workforce by promoting solutions to prepare children to succeed in education, work, and life.
Free Admission for Teachers and Educators at Children’s Museum in June All teachers and educators – including pre-k and child care teachers – can partake in free admission to the Children’s Museum in Pittsburgh this month. Learn More Teachers and educators can obtain one free adult or senior admission at the museum every weekday in June. A school or state ID must be shown at the time of purchase. The discount is available for in-person admission only and cannot be redeemed online. For more information on the Children’s Museum’s hours or exhibits, visit its website.
