August 19, 2024 Allegheny County Opens Four Low-Vision Tennis Courts Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato recently announced the opening of the county’s first Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) tennis courts at four local parks. Learn More The courts debuted in July at four Allegheny County parks – Boyce, North, Settlers Cabin, and South Park. The courts are designed to accommodate athletes with low vision as well as fully-sighted players and promote inclusivity in the community. Low-vision, or “sound ball” tennis, is played on a slightly smaller court with a slower, foam sound ball that has a rattle inside of it. Players track the ball by sound and, if they have partial vision, using the vision they have. The new courts enable athletes to walk on the court without bringing temporary tape lines each time. Low-Vision Tennis A recent study by Carlow University examined how blind or visually impaired athletes react to different sounds emitted by specialized tennis balls. Psychology professor Jennifer K. Roth, who led the study, is also involved with local and national tennis associations that are drawing attention to the sport and expanding access for low-vision players. The United States Blind Tennis Association, which is based in Pittsburgh, is at the forefront of integrating blind and visually impaired tennis into mainstream sports. Since its inception, the association has conducted training and introduced programming across multiple states. “When I talk about building a county for all, that means places people feel connected to their neighbors and communities and parks for everyone to enjoy, and this project really embodies that ethos,” Innamorato said.
OCDEL, Penn State Project ECHO to Host Series for Spanish-Speaking Families The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Penn State Project ECHO will release a new series this fall that features the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and focuses on the needs of Spanish-speaking families. Learn More The Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO), which launches in the fall, will feature the CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early program, which is aimed at serving Spanish speakers. The CDC’s tools and resources allow families and early care providers to jointly engage in the early identification of developmental delays and disabilities among children from birth through age 5. Participants in the series will learn how to help support families with developmental milestone monitoring. It will highlight the utilization and promotion of the CDC’s Milestones Tracker App, which is a free developmental tracker resource offered in English and Spanish. The series is for early care providers only and registration is not limited to those who work only with Spanish-speaking families. The series will run from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the following Wednesdays: Sept. 25 Oct. 9 Oct. 23 Nov. 6 Nov. 20 Dec. 4 More details and registration information will be announced in the September Early Ed News. Any questions should be sent to Ilecia Voughs at ivoughs@pattan.net.
August 14, 2024 Report, Webinar to Inform Early Educators on Affordable Care Act Benefits A report by nonprofit Opportunities Exchange and an upcoming webinar aim to inform early educators of the benefits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Report According to the report “Health Insurance for the Early Childhood Workforce,” early educators’ poor compensation – and, specifically, their ability to access health insurance – can have dire implications for their own health and well-being as well as for the children and families they serve. The report, written by nonprofit Opportunities Exchange, notes that tax credits available through the ACA Marketplace make it possible for every early child educator to access health insurance plans. However, the report says, this resource is vastly underutilized. The report highlights both the Individual Marketplace and the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) as viable alternatives to the private health insurance route. It offers examples of health care models, ancillary medical benefits, public sector strategies, and resources on finding a benefits broker. The Webinar An upcoming webinar titled “Solving the ECE Compensation Crisis: The Affordable Care Act is a Critical Piece of the Puzzle” will address issues raised in the report. The webinar will run from noon to 1 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Aug. 13. Those interested in attending the webinar should fill out the registration form online.
August 13, 2024 Department of Human Services Warns of EBT Card Scams Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services is warning that scammers are skimming electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to steal benefits from state residents. Learn More DHS is warning EBT card users not to use third party apps to check balances. Those who believe their EBT card has been compromised should reach out to their local County Assistance Office to report suspected fraud and replace their card. A list of County Assistance Offices can be found online. EBT balance and transfer inquiries and card replacements can be requested from DHS’ EBT contractor,Conduent, at 888-328-7366. Those who have Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits stolen can have them replaced by filling out a benefit theft claim within 60 days of the incident. Claim forms can be found on DHS’ website. ATM and Point-of-Sale Terminal Skimming DHS has provided tips involving ATMs or Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals when using EBT cards: Inspect POS terminals, ATMs, and other card readers before using. Look for anything loose, crooked, damaged or scratched. Don’t use a card reader if you notice anything unusual. Pull at the edges of the keypad before entering your PIN. If it comes loose or reveals another keypad underneath, do not use as it might be a skimming device. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN to prevent cameras from recording your entry. Use ATMs in well-lit, indoor locations, which are less vulnerable targets. Be alert for skimming devices in tourist areas, which are popular targets.
Carnegie Science Center to Host Free Programs for North Side Families This Fall The Carnegie Science Center is hosting one free program per month for North Side families this fall. Learn More The programs are aimed at families with children between the ages of 3 and 5. Each event will include a snack and free premium memberships will be given to North Side residents with early learners while supplies last. On Saturday, Sept. 21, “Ready for Blastoff” will teach attendees how astronauts get ready for their trips to space, what they pack for their journey, and how to make a space helmet. “Creepy Crawly,” which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, will investigate insect parts and behavior through song and dance. Attendees will make bug antennae to take home. On Saturday, Nov. 9, “Incoming Landing” will enable participants to build a Mars rover to take home. Children will also learn about the importance of engineering design and teamwork in space exploration. “Bubble Science,” which will be held on Saturday, Dec.14, children will explore the “S” in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) through the creation of amazing bubbles via bubble blowers. Each class will run from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Register Each program has limited capacity, so those interested should register in advance by calling the Carnegie Science Center at 412-237-3400 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
August 12, 2024 Webinar Recording: Program Liability Insurance Options and Risk Management Tools The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) recently hosted a webinar on how its web platform can save money, time, and resources for program liability insurance options and risk management tools. Learn More The purpose of the webinar was to address concerns regarding liability insurance, provide a summary of efforts to date, and show how PennAEYC’s website – Shared Source PA – can help. Tools available on the website that were touted during the webinar include recruitment and retention (from onboarding practices to the low cost and high impact of staff benefits), strengthening business practices (such as reducing operating costs and family child care operation), and resources for teachers and families (such as curriculum planning resources and managing challenging behavior). Shared Source PA can also help to successfully obtain quotes and secure insurance for family child care businesses and centers of all sizes. The webinar explored how to understand business insurance and how carriers assess risk. It tackled impacts to eligibility and cost (such as business location or claims history) as well as methods of assistance (such as completing an annual assessment and implementing strong human resources and workplace safety practices). Panelists in the webinar included Jen DeBell, PennAEYC’s executive director, as well as Rose Snyder, PennAEYC’s senior director of education and operations, and two representatives from CCA for Social Good. More Details The presentation from the webinar can be viewed online. Anyone with additional questions about the webinar or Shared Sources PA should contact PennAEYC’s Rose Snyder at rsnyder@pennaeyc.org.
CLP Introduces Library of Things Collection Featuring Board Games and Activities The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has introduced its Library of Things, a collection of outdoor activities and board games that is available at all library locations. Outdoor Activities Library cards will give holders access to a variety of outdoor activities and games of various sizes. These include: A giant Connect Four game that’s four feet tall and wide Portable options such as tabletop curling and Bocce ball Pickleball and Spikeball sets A variety of other outdoor games are available at library branches. Board Games All Carnegie Library locations also feature board games, from role playing to epic quests that library card holders can use on a tabletop. These include: Trekking the World Azul: Master Chocolatier Dinner in Paris Really Loud Librarians Hanabi A list of more board games available at library locations can be found online. Those interested in using the library’s outdoor activities and board games can sign up for a library card online.
August 8, 2024 Registration Open for UnConference: Beyond the Playground: Advancing Racial Equity in Play Registration is now open for UnConference: Beyond the Playground: Advancing Racial Equity in Play. Learn More Trying Together – in partnership with the P.R.I.D.E. (Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education) Program, Hatch Partners in Play, and Playful Pittsburgh – will host the event on Monday, October 14 at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants will attend expert-led sessions that focus on the value and necessity of play; the benefits of play-based learning; how school and state policy may impact their children’s play experiences; play, race, identity, and the arts; and the importance of risky play activities such as climbing and balancing. Keynote Speakers and Workshops This year’s UnConference will include two keynote addresses. Dr. Denisha Jones will present “Play as Liberatory Early Childhood Pedagogy” in the morning. The afternoon address will be “The Healing Power of Play and Optimism” by Antony (Ant) Toombs, of the Life is Good Playmaker Project. There will be two rounds of workshop sessions after the keynote speakers. PQAS and Act 48 credit hours will be available. Registration is required. Upon registration, attendees will be asked to select one workshop session from each timeframe. Workshops include: A session on the Playlab Framework that has been implemented in several public school classrooms in the region A dialogue-based workshop inspired by the playful engagement typical of a Parent LAB PLAY DAY A workshop exploring play equity and access in schools and communities A session exploring the critical role of risky play in early childhood education, highlighting its significance in fostering children’s physical, emotion, and cognitive development A session featuring P.R.I.D.E. artists as they share interactive themed art activities for early childhood-aged children Lunch will be served and attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues. More Details Free valet parking will be available for participants. Phipps is accessible via Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses and POGOH, Pittsburgh’s bikeshare program. Some sessions will be held outdoors, so it’s recommended that participants wear layers and comfortable footwear. Some walking is required between sessions. Participants should note needed accommodations during registration and a Trying Together representative will reach out. Tickets for the UnConference are $25. Space is limited, so those interested in attending should register by Sept. 30. Event details are available on Trying Together’s UnConference page.
August 6, 2024 Families, Early Childhood Educators Invited to Enter Chance to Win Back-to-School Kit Pennsylvania Promise for Children is inviting state families and friends of children to enter a chance to win a back-to-school kit. Learn More Pennsylvania families and friends of children – from birth to kindergarten age – as well as state early childhood educators can enter to win the kit. Each kit will contain a copy of the 2024 PA One Book, “Slug in Love” by Rachel Bright, as well as early learning materials for children. The deadline to enter is Aug. 30. Pennsylvania families or friends of a child, from birth to kindergarten age, can enter online. State childhood educators of children in the same age range can also now enter online. More Details Five winners in the family and friends category will be selected at random to win a copy of “Slug in Love” and early learning materials. The kit will also include a Crayola watercolor mixing set; a Charles Leonard glue stick; the book “A New Alphabet for Humanity: A Children’s Book of Alphabet Words to Inspire Compassion, Kindness, and Positivity” by Leesa McGregor; and David Elkind’s “The Power of Play: How Spontaneous, Imaginative Activities Lead to Happier, Healthier Children.” Five winners in the early childhood educator category will receive the same items as well as six books that cover topics relevant to that profession. Information on how to enter and other content rules can be found online.
August 5, 2024 EI Professionals Invited to Participate in Focus Group Erikson Institute, in partnership with Trying Together, is inviting Early Intervention professionals to participate in a voluntary and confidential conversation about their experiences delivering Early Intervention services in Allegheny County. About Early intervention professionals who currently deliver services to children 0-5 in Allegheny County can attend a 75-minute focus group in August to discuss experiences and perspectives about their work. Focus group participants will receive a $50 gift card for their time. Conversations serve as insight for a project that is aimed at learning more about Early Intervention systems and services for children and families. Interested professionals can sign up via this online form. EI professionals who are not available or interested in joining the focus group can still participate by completing a five-minute survey.
