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Author: Maria Pisano

June Recalls on Children’s Products

News

June 27, 2023

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: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

More Information

For recall details, visit the links above or review the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration websites.

Housing Resources Available for Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Families

News

June 26, 2023

Housing Resources Available for Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Families

Local and state organizations continually offer a number of resources and programs to help families with housing, rent, utilities, and repairs. To support families in need of assistance, Trying Together compiled a list of these resources.

Find the list below.

About the Trying Together Housing Resource List

Entitled, “Housing Resources for Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Families,” the Trying Together housing resource list features information on:

  • homebuying assistance
  • mortgage and rent assistance
  • homelessness and housing insecurity
  • public and low-income housing
  • assistance with utilities
  • assistance with home improvement and repairs
  • housing mediation and legal services
  • other housing supports

Access the Trying Together Housing Resource List

Access or download the Trying Together housing resource list.

Additional Resources

For additional housing, food, employment, and safety resources, visit:

Learn More

To learn more, use any of the above links to access online information about housing resources or programs. Additional help and information can be found by calling United Way at 2-1-1.

Trying Together Shares Advocacy Tools for Families and Child Care Providers

News

Trying Together Shares Advocacy Tools for Families and Child Care Providers

Trying Together has created two new advocacy tools to aid families and child care providers in their efforts to impact state budget negotiations and persuade state legislators to directly invest in the workforce behind the workforce by raising child care wages.

Trying Together Advocacy Tools

Simple, everyday advocacy efforts often start with quick, common interactions between providers, educators, families, and legislators. Calling your state representative or emailing with waitlisted families are great ways to communicate challenges facing the child care industry and advocate for change. Phone and email scripts can assist on these occasions.

For Providers & Families:

Phone Scripts for Calls to State Representatives & Legislators

For Providers:

Email Response to Waitlisted Families

Take Action with PennAEYC

Tell your legislators how important child care is to you and take action in seconds. The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) has constructed a tool that allows you to send an email to your legislators stressing the importance of child care with a single click.

Take action now. 

Additional Advocacy Tools

The Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA campaigns, of which Trying Together is a partner, have also compiled advocacy tools for family and provider use. Some of these include:

Learn More

To learn more, visit the Trying Together “Take Action” page.

ELRC Region 5 Now an Infant Formula Bank

News

June 23, 2023

ELRC Region 5 Now an Infant Formula Bank

The main office of the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 in Downtown Pittsburgh is now an infant formula bank location of the Greater Pittsburgh Infant Formula Bank.

About the Greater Pittsburgh Infant Formula Bank

Managed by Beverly’s Birthdays and their baby division, Beverly’s Babies, the Greater Pittsburgh Infant Formula Bank is a resource to support families in need of baby formula during a personal, situational, or financial emergency/crisis.

A baby can receive up to 12 cans of formula or the liquid (RTF) equivalent in his/her first year.

There are seven formula banks available for the public to directly access for support:

Allegheny County Locations

ELRC Region 5 (Main Office)

304 Wood St, 4th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412.350.3577

The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center

7219 Kelly Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
412.545.5039

McKeesport Family Center

339 5th Avenue
McKeesport, PA 15132
412.672.6970

Hilltop Family Center

1630 Arlington Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15210
412.432.1635

Westmoreland County Locations

Beverly’s Birthdays

11065 Parker Drive
North Huntingdon, PA 15642
724.590.5106

Highland’s Family Center

415 Fourth Avenue
Tarentum, PA 15084
724-224-9006

Monessen Family Center

412 Reed Avenue
Monessen, PA 15062
724.684.4370

Find location hours and details on the Beverly’s Birthdays website.

Learn More

Details about the program are available online. Families in need can call 724-590-5106 or text pghformula to 844-511-1544.

To learn more, visit the Beverly’s Birthday’s website.

OCDEL Releases 2022 Market Rate Survey Report

News

June 21, 2023

OCDEL Releases 2022 Market Rate Survey Report

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) recently released their 2022 Child Care Market Rate Survey (MRS) Report.

Data in the report reflects a challenging operating and economic environment, which child care providers continually navigate.

About the MRS Report

The MRS report is a collection and analysis of prices charged by child care providers in an open market. It includes information on private pay tuition rates, staffing, payments and fee practices, facility types, and food offerings at local programs.

OCDEL uses the report to set base reimbursement rates for Pennsylvania’s subsidized child care program Child Care Works (CCW) to ensure equal access to child care for low-income families.

2022 MRS Report

Across the state, 6,378 child care providers stayed in operation throughout the entire survey period. A total of 4,383 providers participated in the 2022 MRS, representing a 68.7% response rate.

Key Findings from the 2022 MRS Report

CCW

  • Of providers with a CCW agreement, half (50.1%) indicated that they do not usually require CCW families to pay any difference between the private tuition rate and the subsidy payment amount.
  • Family and Group Child Care Homes are more likely to require CCW families to pay the difference between the private pay rate and subsidy reimbursement amount than centers. This raises concerns about equity and access to affordable child care in these settings.
  • Among providers who did not have a CCW agreement, the most common reason for not participating was that their capacity was at full enrollment with only private pay families.

Payments & Fees

  • Providers with higher Keystone STAR designations charge more than similar providers with lower designations across all care levels and types.
  • Almost two-thirds (64.4%) of providers charge families a registration fee, with the median fee being $50. Registration fees were most often charged by centers. Incidental fees for late pickups and overdue payments were charged by most providers.
  • With so many providers requiring a registration fee, low-income families in the CCW program may face financial barriers to accessing child care. Additionally, fees for late pickups and overdue payments may cause financial strain for families who are struggling financially.

Staffing

  • Over half of all providers reported unfilled job openings (54.1%), which reduced the number of children that could be served. This was most common among Child Care Centers (67.9%).
  • Only a portion of providers (36.6%) offered health insurance to any staff members. The low portion of providers offering health insurance benefits to staff members may impact the quality of care.

Food & Nutrition

  • The USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements to providers for healthy meals and snacks — 43.3% of providers reported using the program.
  • Regardless of CACFP participation, most providers offered some meals or snacks with regular tuition.
  • The fact that over half of providers do not participate in CACFP suggests that there may be gaps in the quality of meals and snacks offered by child care providers. This could be particularly bad for children from low-income families who may rely on child care providers for healthy meals.

Access the Report

Access the 2022 MRS Report on the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) website.

Learn More

To learn more, visit the Official Pennsylvania Government website.

Application Period for Early Intervention Leadership Development Program Now Open

News

Application Period for Early Intervention Leadership Development Program Now Open

Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania is now accepting applications for their 2023-2024 Competence and Confidence Partners in Policymaking Early Intervention (C2P2 EI) Cohort.

All applicants must submit their applications by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 11, though the program will begin at the end of September 2023 and run through May 2024.

About C2Pc EI

C2P2 EI is a free leadership development opportunity for families of children who are currently receiving early intervention infant, toddler, or preschool services. It supports successful applicants in attending four, two-day, in-person sessions, and four virtual sessions (eight sessions total) which give them knowledge and skills to advocate for EI.

Throughout the sessions, participants will:

  • learn about the infant/toddler and preschool early intervention system.
  • connect with other families.
  • build skills to advocate for their family and others.

Consequently, applicants must commit to participating in all eight sessions.

The in-person sessions will be held at the DoubleTree Conference Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. However, expenses, including lodging costs, mileage, and childcare reimbursement, will be provided to participants.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must:

  • have a child between birth to age five who is currently receiving Pennsylvania infant/toddler or preschool EI services.
  • have a desire to explicitly advocate for themselves and others.
  • commit to participation in all eight sessions.

Apply

Interested individuals should apply using the online C2P2 EI 2023-2024 Application Form.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 11. Accordingly, Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania will notify applicants of their acceptance by September 1.

Learn More

This program is funded by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Bureau of Early Intervention and Family Supports, with support from Temple Institute on Disabilities.

To learn more, view the flyer or visit the Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children website.

Please direct any questions to Sarah Holland at sholland@parenttoparent.org.

Soon-to-End Grant Opportunity Helps Eligible Families Pay for Critical Home Repairs

News

Soon-to-End Grant Opportunity Helps Eligible Families Pay for Critical Home Repairs

Action Housing Inc. is providing funds for low-income homeowners in Allegheny County to make whole-home repairs to severely damaged households through the federal Whole-Home Repairs Program.

Homeowners could receive up to $50,000 in funds to fix critical issues that pose safety issues to residents, like damage to the roof, windows, or foundation of a home. Money is also available to make modifications for someone managing a disability.

However, funds are limited* and based on need. Action Housing can likely only award 150-250 applicants grants. Still, families awarded grants will not need to repay the funds.

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on Friday, June 30. No applications will be accepted after this time.

*Disclaimer: Due to limited funding, Action Housing Inc. must prioritize homes with the worst damage. However, the application process will re-open for another 30-day period in mid to late fall. The exact time of this second application period will be announced at a later time.

About the Whole-Home Repairs Program

Who can apply? Who is eligible for a whole-home grant?

To qualify, an applicant must:

  • own and live in a house needing repairs in Allegheny County.
  • be living in a home with significant habitability issues like roof damage, unsafe electric wiring, or accessibility concerns.
  • have a total income that doesn’t exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Allegheny County. Please refer to the AMI chart to find AMI data.

How does the application process work?

  1. Apply online on the Allegheny County Whole-Home Repair Program website.
  2. If you are eligible and selected for a home inspection, someone from the Whole-Home Repairs Program will contact you to schedule it.
  3. A Whole-Home Repairs inspector will visit your home to determine if the repairs qualify for funding.
  4. If the inspector approves the repairs, Action Housing will connect you with a contractor certified by the Whole-Home Repairs Program to do the work.

How will applicants be notified?

If you apply online, you’ll get an email about your eligibility for the program. People submitting paper applications will be notified via U.S. mail.

How long does this process take?

Action Housing Inc. will work as quickly as possible to schedule inspections and start construction. Still, they can’t commit to a timeline. Many collaborate to finish this work, so estimating schedules and weather dependencies is challenging. The whole process could take anywhere from a few months to a year.

Additional Information & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will I have to pay for anything?

You have no cost if your application is eligible and repairs are approved.

I do not have a Social Security number. Can I still apply?

Absolutely! A Social Security number is requested in the application but is optional.

Is citizenship required for this program?

No, citizenship status is not a factor.

I know someone who wants to apply, but English isn’t their native language.

Call ACTION-Housing at 412-248-0021, and Action Housing Inc. will get a translator to meet with you in person or complete an application over the phone.

I, or someone I know, have a physical or mental impairment that makes applying challenging.

Call ACTION-Housing at 412-248-0021 to talk about accommodating your needs.

I already applied for Whole-Home Repairs funding during the pilot phase of this program. When will someone contact me?

Action Housing Inc. received your application, but it’s taking some time to work through the volume of applications they received. Someone will contact you if they need more information to decide or to schedule a home inspection.

How is Action Housing Inc. determining who gets selected?

One of the requirements outlined in the passed state bill to fund Whole-Home Repairs is that Action Housing prioritize funding for certain groups of people. They are using data to help determine how to do this best. Because funding is limited, Action Housing is prioritizing neighborhoods not invested in historically.

 

To find a full list of FAQs, visit the Action Housing Inc. website.

Apply

If you meet the eligibility requirements and need financial assistance for whole-home repairs, please apply now on the Allegheny County Whole-Home Repair Program website.

Additional Resources

Unfortunately, Action Housing Inc. cannot award grants to all eligible applicants. If you are in need of financial assistance for home repairs and are not eligible for or awarded a grant, please consult these resources:

Learn More

The Whole-Home Repair Program is a federal program and available in counties across the Commonwealth. If you do not live in Allegheny County but are in need of financial assistance for home repairs, you can apply through an agency within your county. Find a list of agencies supporting the Whole-Home Repair Program on the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development website.

To learn more, please consult the Whole-Home Repair Program Manual or visit the Action Housing Inc. website.

Updated: Summer Food Programs Offer Free Meals to Children

News

June 20, 2023

Updated: Summer Food Programs Offer Free Meals to Children

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and City of Pittsburgh Department of Parks and Recreation (CitiParks) are offering summer food programs to provide meals to children at no cost to them or their families while school is not in session.

(This article was updated on June 20, 2023 to reflect the addition of GrubUp!, CitiParks’ 2023 Summer Food Service Program).

UDSA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

What is SFSP?

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally-funded, state-administered program.

The USDA works closely with states to ensure that children who receive on free or reduced-price school meals can get the nutrition they need when schools are closed – whether during summer break or unexpected closures during the school year. Through the USDA’s summer meal programs, approved sites in low-income communities across the country can serve healthy meals and snacks to kids up to age 18 at no cost.

Meals can be eaten in-person at local sites or on-the-go.

How can children participate? 

Find a summer site in your community with the USDA Summer Meal Site Finder mapping tool. Then, simply bring your child to the site nearest to you during meal times (which can be found via the USDA Summer Meal Site Finder).

Parents can also text “Summer Meals” to 914-342-7744 or call 1-866-348-6479 to find participating sites. Pittsburgh meal sites for summer 2023 currently include:

  • Calvary United Methodist Church
    • Location: 971 Beech Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
    • Free Meals Available: June 26 – 29
    • Hours: Monday – Thursday | 6 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Warren United Methodist Church
    • Location: 2606 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
    • Free Meals Available: June 21 – August 10
    • Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday | 12 – 1 p.m.
  • The Bridge at Northview Heights
    • Location: 1500 Chicago Street, Pittsburgh 15214, PA 15214
    • Free Meals Available: June 26 – August 4
    • Hours: Monday – Friday | 8:45 – 9:30 a.m. and 12 – 12:30 p.m.
  • Sheridan United Methodist Church
    • Location: 2948 Chartiers Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15204
    • Free Meals Available: June 20 – August 10
    • Hours: Tuesday and Thursday | 12 – 1 p.m.
  • Trinity AME Zion Church
    • Location: 3105 Allendale Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15204
    • Free Meals Available: June 21 – August 11
    • Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday | 12 – 1 p.m.
  • Sto-Rox Library
    • Location: 420 Chartiers Avenue, McKees Rocks, PA 15136
    • Free Meals Available: June 5 – August 10
    • Hours: Monday – Thursday | 1 – 2 p.m. and 4 – 6 p.m.

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Summer Youth Café

What is the Summer Youth Café? 

The Summer Youth Café is is a federally-funded child nutrition program that provides healthy meals during the summer.

How can children participate?

Families can search for participating sites with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Find Food Resources mapping tool and bring their child to any participating site during meal times.

Summer Youth Café sites for summer 2023 currently include:

  • LaRosa Youth Club
    • Location: 901 Ravine Street, McKeesport, PA 15132
    • Hours: Daily | 3 – 5 p.m.
  • Safe Passage Mckeesport
    • Location: 1406 Cornell Street, McKeesport, PA 15132
    • Hours: Daily | 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
  • Northern Area Boys & Girls Club
    • Location: 100 Howard Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15209
    • Hours: Monday – Friday | 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
  • The Learning Hub at the Bridge
    • Location: 1500 Chicago Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15214
    • Hours: Daily | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
  • Valley View Terrace
    • Location: 518 Dawson Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317
    • Free Meals Available: June 12 – August 4
    • Hours: Monday – Friday | 12 – 12:30 p.m.
  • Bentleyville Apartments
    • Location: 507 Old West Road, Bentleyville, PA 15314
    • Free Meals Available: June 12 – August 4
    • Hours: Monday – Friday | 12 – 12:30 p.m.

Additionally, the food bank is partnering with Moniteau, Knoch, and Karns City School Districts to host monthly summer drive-up food distributions. Anyone living within participating school district areas is encouraged to attend. For more information, please view the event flyer.

GrubUp!: CitiParks’ Summer Food Service Program 2023

What is GrubUp!?

GrubUp! is CitiParks Summer Food Service Program. It provides healthy and delicious meals (breakfast, lunch, and/or snack) through eight of Pittsburgh’s recreation centers and 30+ partner locations.

This program will run from June 21 through August 18, and be free to anyone under the age of 18 or residents with intellectual disabilities up to age 21.

CitiParks also partners with the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) Food Service Division to provide the Mobile Food Truck, which will operate in conjunction with our Roving Art Cart every Friday to provide an additional location for Pittsburgh children to receive this valuable service.

This service is made possible by funding from the US Department of Agriculture through the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

How can children participate?

To participate, parents and caregivers simply bring their child or children to any of CitiPark’s participating recreation centers or partner locations when meal services are offered. CitiParks offers meals:

  • Ammon Recreation Center
    • Location: 2217 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
    • Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Brookline Recreation Center
    • Location: 1400 Oakridge Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
    • Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Jefferson Recreation Center
    • Location: 605 Rednap Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
    • Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Magee Recreation Center
    • Location: 745 Greenfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15207
    • Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Ormsby Recreation Center
    • Location: 79 S. 22nd Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
    • Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Paulson Recreation Center
    • Location: 1201 Paulson Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
    • Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Phillips Recreation Center
    • Location: 201 Parkfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15210
    • Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Warrington Recreation Center
    • Location: 329 E. Warrington Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15210
    • Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

To find meal service details, and Summer 2023 partner locations and food service times, view the complete GrupUp! site list.

For additional information please contact CitiParks Food Programs Office at 412.571.3291.

No Kid Hungry Summer Food Program

What is the No Kid Hungry WhatsApp?

The No Kid Hungry WhatsApp campaign gives families an easy to use technology to help families with children find the food they need.

How can children participate?

Families can access the app to get a customized WhatsApp message listing sites in their communities serving free meals for teens and kids under 18.  No registration is needed.

Families can also text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304 to find a site near them, or visit No Kid Hungry’s Free Meal Finder.

Learn More

To learn more, visit the USDA or Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank summer food program webpages.

NAEYC Requesting Stories of Teacher Appreciation

News

NAEYC Requesting Stories of Teacher Appreciation

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is asking parents and caregivers to share stories that celebrate the powerful relationships between families and their child care providers with them.

NAEYC is collecting these stories to highlight early childhood teacher appreciation.

Story Submission Details

Stories should be submitted by parents or caregivers of young children and should discuss:

  • an amazing experience they’ve had with their child’s early childhood educator
  • a fond memory of an early childhood educator helping them navigate a difficult conversation with their child
  • any moment that an early childhood educator helped them and their family through a challenging moment
  • other related experiences

Submit a Story

Interested individuals must submit stories using the online Story Submission Form on the NAEYC website.

Learn More

Learn more on the NAEYC website or call 202-232-8777 with questions. Find a list of phone extensions on the NAEYC Contact Us page.

OCDEL Extends Deadline to Order Two Free Carbon Monoxide Detectors

News

OCDEL Extends Deadline to Order Two Free Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has extended the deadline for certified child care providers in Pennsylvania to order two complimentary First Alert carbon monoxide detectors to August 31.

The detectors are available to all certified child care providers in the state who want them. However, providers do not need to order or place the detectors.

(This article was updated on May 9, 2023 and June 20, 2023 to reflect new deadlines.)

Why is OCDEL offering carbon monoxide detectors?

In October 2022, a carbon monoxide leak occurred in a Pennsylvania child care facility. OCDEL is providing this opportunity for providers who want to increase the safety of their staff and the children in their care.

How do I order carbon monoxide detectors for my child care facility?

School Health, a national provider of health supplies, sent an email on March 1 to all certified child care providers in Pennsylvania. The email, sent from reply@email.schoolhealth.com, included a unique promotional code and instructions on how to order the carbon monoxide detectors.

Providers interested in ordering the detectors should follow the instructions in the School Health email to place their orders. The provided promotional code will cover the cost of purchase and shipping for two detectors.

Please note:

  • School Health promotional codes are unique. Child care providers should not share promotional codes or forward the School Health email to other child care providers.
  • OCDEL will only cover the cost of this one-time purchase and will not cover any other costs. Additional costs not covered include costs to replace lost or broken devices.

Who can I contact with questions?

If you have any questions, or did not receive an email on March 1, please contact Kristi Leahy from School Health at kleahy@schoolhealth.com or 630-339-7943.