June 26, 2022 will be known in Pittsburgh as “Doris Keith-Clark Day.” Mayor Ed Gainey issued this proclamation in recognition of her years of service to the children and families of the Homewood Community. Doris celebrated with her family, friends, early childhood colleagues, and the mayor’s office at the ABK Learning Center in the Hill District.

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Doris has devoted over 40 years in providing voluntary community services, caregiving and educating children. She is the Founder & CEO of the Doris Keith-Clark Early Education Center on Kelly Street and is a founding member, and former vice president, of the Homewood Child Care Alliance (HCCA). 

In April 2022, Doris was the recipient of the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) VOICE for Children Award. This recognition is the only statewide award in Pennsylvania recognizing the grassroots leaders whose work impacts the quality of care for young children in diverse settings.

Doris has also worked extensively with Trying Together, and has traveled to the State Capitol in order to advocate for funding to support early childhood care and education. 

Early childhood education professionals interested in attending college for the Fall 2022 semester can submit applications to receive a T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) Scholarship. The deadline to apply has been extended to July 15, 2022.

About T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship

The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) offers a variety of T.E.A.C.H. scholarships to meet the needs of the early care and education workforce in center and home-based settings. Eligible applicants must:

• work a minimum of 25-30 hours per week directly with children in a DHS-certified child care program;

• make $19 or less an hour ($25 or less per hour for directors); and

• be interested in pursuing coursework at a participating college toward a degree or credential in early childhood.

Scholarship awards are dependent upon the availability of funds and priorities of funders. Other eligibility criteria may apply are subject to change without notice.

Interested applicants should also begin the college admissions process now and contact an early childhood education (ECE) advisor at their intended college/university. This helps to ensure that scholarship applicants are admitted to their college/university and can register for courses if/when they receive a T.E.A.C.H. scholarship. T.E.A.C.H. can provide contact information for early childhood education advisors at partnering institutions if needed.

Apply

To download a scholarship application, visit the PACCA website. To be considered for the Fall 2022 semester, completed applications must be submitted to PACCA by Friday, July 15, 2022 through one of the following methods:

• Email: teachinfo@pacca.org

• Fax: 717.657.0959

• Mail: 20 Erford Road, Suite 302, Lemoyne, PA 17043

For questions about scholarship eligibility or requirements, contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor at 717.657.9000.

Parents and caregivers should be aware of several child-related product recalls.

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Here is a list of June recalls collected from the major federal agencies: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

• The FDA is warning parents, caregivers, and health care providers not to use neck floats with babies for water therapy interventions, especially with babies who have developmental delays or special needs, such as spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy. The use of these products can lead to death or serious injury.

• Richie House recalled children’s robes that fail to meet the flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.

• The Children’s Place recalled baby rompers because metal snaps on the rompers can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

• Aurohealth recalled Walgreens brand acetaminophen and Kroger brand acetaminophen due to failure to meet child resistant packaging requirements, posing a risk of poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children.

• Sun Pharma recalled Kroger brand acetaminophen due to failure to meet child resistant packaging requirements, posing a risk of poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children.

• Time-Cap Labs recalled Kroger brand aspirin and ibuprofen due to failure to meet child resistant packaging requirements, posing a risk of poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children.

• Loulou Lollipop recalled children’s sleepwear that fail to meet the flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.

• Times Tienda recalled children’s desks and chairs because surface paint on the desks and chairs contains levels of lead that exceed the federal lead paint ban, posing a lead poisoning hazard. The desks and chairs also fail to comply with the federal lead content ban.

• Primark recalled wooden xylophone toys due to choking hazards.

• Jungle Jumparoo recalled children’s toys that violate the federal lead content ban.

• The Manhattan Toy Company recalled Activity Loops toys that can detach from the base, releasing small plastic rings and posing a small parts choking hazard to children.

• Asweets recalled Wood Baby Activity Push Walkers due to strangulation hazard.

• Joey Clothing recalled children’s robes that fail to meet the flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.

• Target recalled Children’s Cat & Jack Unicorn Cozy Pajama Sets due to burn hazard.

• Communicorp recalled Aflac Plush Promotional Ducks due to violations of federal phthalates and lead content bans.

• Allergy Bee Gone for Kids was recalled due to potential microbial contamination.

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.