Maria Pisano, Author at Trying Together

News

February 2, 2022

Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program

Are you a homeowner or renter in Allegheny County? Do you live with a pregnant person or a child age six or younger? If so, you might qualify for free home repairs from the Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program to keep your family safe from lead paint.

Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program

Lead is most dangerous to children under age six because their brains and nervous systems still are developing. When they put their hands and other objects in their mouth, they can swallow lead-paint dust, which can be invisible to the naked eye. Children also can be exposed to lead by ingesting soil, food, or water containing it. Even low levels of lead can cause behavior and learning problems, lower IQ and hyperactivity, and hearing problems.

The Allegheny Lead Safe Homes program offers qualifying homeowners and renters in Allegheny County with free lead-paint testing throughout their homes and hires a certified lead abatement contractor to repair any lead hazards found up to $12,000. Examples of work include repair and repainting of chipping and peeling lead-painted surfaces, window and door repair or replacement, and enclosing exterior trim and components.

Apply

If you’re interested in participating, please call ACTION-Housing at 412-227-5700, email alleghenylead@actionhousing.org or fill out the online form.

More Information

More information, including eligibility, can be found on the information sheet and on the program’s website.

News

Deadline Extended: 2022 Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Awards

Do you know an exceptional child care professional or are you one yourself? Apply for the 2022 Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Awards to nominate that person for a chance to win the Helene Marks Award, a $1,000 cash prize, and more! The application deadline has been extended to February 11, 2022, and First Up will be hosting informational sessions about the application process.

About

In collaboration with the Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation (TLLCCF), First Up is hosting the 2022 Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Awards to honor exceptional child care professionals. In 1987, Kay and Fred Lokoff formed the TLLCCF to honor the memory of their daughter. Terri was a passionate child care teacher who knew the incredible value of Early Childhood Education and was committed to making a difference by giving children a strong start in their lives.

Applications for the 2022 Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Awards are now available. Child care teachers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and on U.S. Military bases and installations around the world are invited to apply. Fifty awards are presented each year.

What Will Recipients Win?

Every award recipient receives:

- a $1,000 cash prize,
- a trip to Philadelphia for the award ceremony (COVID permitting), and
- a chance to win the Helene Marks Award with the additional honor of being named the National Child Care Teacher of the Year.

Application

To apply, complete the online application. For those who would like to print and mail their completed application, a downloadable PDF version is available. Applications are due by February 11, 2022.

Informational Sessions

First Up staff will do a virtual walk through of the application and answer any questions. Registration is required:

More Information

For more information, please contact Jessica Feng at jessica.feng@firstup.org.

News

February 1, 2022

Register Now: 2022 Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community

The Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community is an annual fundraising walk that benefits local health and human service agencies. The primary goal of the walk is to help participating organizations raise money for their individual missions. Registration for the 2022 Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community opens on February 1, 2022 and is free for all participants.

Join Our Team

If you’re interested in walking or donating, join Trying Together’s team! Registered virtual walkers will have the option to sign up as an individual, join a team, create a new team, or pull up team information from a previous event. Thanks to Highmark’s online platform, participants can donate and track donations made, send templated email reminders to your teammates, and more!

Visit our registration page to sign up and learn more!

Support Our Goal

One hundred percent of the donations received will go directly to the participating organizations. Utilize our social media toolkit to share information about the Highmark Walk on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All donations must be received no later than June 30, 2022. Learn more about how to donate on the Trying Together website.

COVID-19 Information

In an abundance of caution, and for the protection and safety of our Walk participants and volunteers, the decision has been made to modify all seven 2022 Highmark Walks for a Healthy Community to an online only fundraiser and virtual walk for this year’s campaign.

A virtual walk is a real walk, but allows for more flexibility! Whether on a treadmill or at the park, participants can choose their start and stop times, and then share photos and videos on social media to raise awareness!

More Information

For more information and answers to common questions, visit Highmark’s FAQ page.

News

2022-23 Kindergarten Registration Open

Kindergarten registration has opened in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Fayette, Greene, and Westmoreland counties for the 2022-2023 school year.

Registering Your Child

If your child is five, it’s time to register them for kindergarten.

View details about Kindergarten registration in the Pittsburgh Region and find your district’s information in the following documents:

Hi5! is a kindergarten readiness and registration campaign coordinated by The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, and Trying Together.

Early and on-time registration allows schools and districts to plan for classroom materials, resources, and staff as they prepare to welcome a new group of students. It also enables families to establish relationships with teachers and administrators that are so important for easing the stress and anxiety of children (and their families) as they begin elementary school.

More Information

For more information about the Hi5! project, transition teams, and activities, please email hi5@tryingtogether.org, or view the Hi5! overview (PDF) and the Kindergarten Transition Whitepaper (PDF). To receive the the Hi5! Kindergarten Transition newsletter, visit our sign up page!

For more information about helping your child make the move to Kindergarten, visit the Kindergarten Transition: A Guide for Families resource.

News

January 28, 2022

CDC Updates COVID-19 Guidance ECE/Child Care Program Operations

On January 28, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated information for COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs.

About

The CDC’s updates include guidance to reflect new quarantine and isolation guidance and recommendations, specifying the circumstances when isolation and quarantine periods can be shortened, and updated guidance regarding staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.

Key takeaways and updates include:

Isolation and quarantine periods can be reduced to five days for people who can consistently wear well-fitting masks, as long as they remain symptom free, or fever has ended and symptoms have improved. For details, see CDC’s page on Quarantine and Isolation.
Layered COVID-19 prevention strategies remain critical to protect people, including children and staff, who are not up to date or eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, especially in areas of moderate-to-high community transmission levels.
Promotion of vaccination among all eligible individuals can help Early Care and Education (ECE) programs protect staff and children in their care, as well as their families.

Though these are not mandates, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) recommends that child care programs follow the CDC COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs.

News

Child Maltreatment Policy Required in Child Care Programs

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has announced a new certification requirement for child care providers to develop a policy and procedure to identify the prevention of shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment.

About

The Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) requires child abuse reporting and does not address the prevention of the acts defined in the law as child abuse, including shaking a baby, abusive head trauma and child maltreatment. Child abuse includes, but is not limited to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly:

Causing bodily injury to a child through any recent act or failure to act
Creating a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to a child through any recent actor failure to act
Forcefully shaking a child under one year of age

Required Policy

In addition to trainings required of all staff employed at a child care program, providers must have a policy and procedure to identify the prevention of shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment. The policy must include, but is not limited to:

Recognition of potential signs and symptoms of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma
Strategies for coping with a crying, fussing, or distraught child
The prevention and identification of child maltreatment

PA Department of Human Services certified child care providers can reference Caring for Our Children Basics (CFOCB): Health and Safety Foundations for Early Care and Education, which represents the minimum health and safety standards experts believe should be in place where children are cared for outside of their homes for policy and procedure development. Policies must be in place by April 29, 2022.

Questions

For more information, read the full announcement from OCDEL. Child care providers can direct comments and questions regarding this announcement to their Regional Office of Child Development and Early Learning. The Western Region office number is 800-222-2149.

News

January 27, 2022

Updates to Health and Safety Training Requirements for Child Care Providers

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has issued an announcement updating health and safety training requirements for child care providers.

About

Due to updated guidance on the federal requirements for Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), all staff in certified child care programs must have preservice or orientation training (to be completed within three months) and an annual minimum of 12 hours in health and safety professional development in topics including:

pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
safe sleep practices, including risk reduction of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome/Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SIDS/SUID)
prevention and control of infectious diseases (including immunizations)
prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions
prevention of shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma/child maltreatment
building and physical premises safety
emergency preparedness and response planning
handling and storing hazardous materials
safely transporting children
mandated reporter training

Until pre-trainings have been completed, staff can’t care for children unsupervised. All child care staff, who have not already completed the required health and safety trainings, will be expected to show completion and documentation by April 29, 2022.

Find Required Trainings

The pre-service training is available on the Better Kid Care (BKC) website. The BKC’s online pre-service training courses meet the CCDBG health and safety required training topics and are the only modules that meet the pre-service training requirements for all child care staff.

Health and safety training topics can be found on the Professional Development (PD) Registry. Recognition and Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect (Mandated Reporter Training) is available through Keep Kids Safe. Additional training options include PA Child Welfare Resource Center and PA Family Support Alliance.

All child care staff must have documentation and verification of completion of preservice training and on-going annual professional development retained in the facility person’s file or maintained in an electronic PD Registry. The documentation must include, but is not limited to:

Signature of representative or trainer of the professional development entity
Title of a representative or trainer of the professional development entity
Date professional development training was completed

Questions

Read the full announcement for more information and details. Child care providers can direct comments and questions regarding this announcement to their Regional Office of Child Development and Early Learning. The Western Region office number is 800-222-2149.

News

January 26, 2022

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships for STAR 1 and 2 Providers Available

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL) has provided Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) with additional funds to support approximately 100 more T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship Program scholarships in this fiscal year. These scholarships are specifically for staff employed in STAR 1 and STAR 2 programs.

About T.E.A.C.H.

The program works with early childhood providers, colleges and child care staff to offer scholarship programs and support systems that improve the education and compensation of child care workers. The scholarships will provide additional supports including:

A $200 completion stipend to scholarship recipients upon successful completion of their first semester
Increased release time reimbursement rates to employers ($15 per hour)
Training and technical assistance for employers (see webinar information below)
Enhanced counseling sessions (day and evening) for staff related to the college application/admissions processes and T.E.A.C.H. application

Many colleges have late start spring semesters in which staff can still enroll. This additional funding is available for this fiscal year only (through June 30, 2022).

Apply

T.E.A.C.H. applications must be complete and submitted with all required documentation/information. PACCA will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis, however, incomplete applications and applications received after this date will not receive priority for consideration.

Completed applications for late start Spring or Summer 2022 semesters must be submitted to PACCA 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 or teachinfo@pacca.org.

News

January 25, 2022

Deadline Extended: Spring 2022 Child Development Associate (CDA)

Looking to receive a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential? The deadline for the Spring 2022 CDA has been extended to January 31, 2022.

What is a CDA Credential?

A CDA Credential is the most widely recognized credential in the early childhood field and is a key stepping stone on the path to career advancement. The credential enables professionals to work in Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms, in addition to early learning programs across the United States, and provides opportunities for increased pay. Interested applicants may complete the CDA Interest Form to connect with a member of our staff.

Please share this flyer with your networks.

Trying Together’s CDA Programs

Trying Together offers the following CDA programs at no cost to eligible early childhood professionals in Pennsylvania:

CDA Credential Preparation Program

Spring 2022 Classes: 1/11/22 – 6/14/22 (Deadline to Register: 1/31/22)
Fall 2022 Classes: 8/30/22 – 3/28/23
Biweekly Zoom Meetings and Schoology

Participants complete 135 hours of professional development to earn their CDA Credential in six to nine months. Participants can matriculate up to nine course credits at Carlow University upon credential completion.

CDA Credential Community of Practice Program

Fall 2021 Classes: 11/16/21 – 1/4/22 (Deadline to Register: 11/11/21)
Spring 2022 Classes: Spring Classes: 3/1/22 – 4/26/22
Biweekly Zoom Meetings and Schoology

Participants receive support in building a portfolio and preparing for the CDA Credential Exam. Applicants must have proof of 120 hours of coursework completed via professional development hours, transcripts, etc.

CDA Credential Renewal Program

Participants review current standards, literature, strategies, and more to meet the criteria for eight early childhood subject areas upon completion. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis.

More Information

For more information, visit our CDA Credential page. To ask a question about our programs, contact Theresa Hetler at theresa@tryingtogether.org or Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org. For eligibility questions, contact Judy Graca at judy@tryingtogether.org.

News

Nominations Open for Francine Bunch Memorial Award

Celebrate the successes of your Head Start or Early Head Start program by honoring a Head Start parent or staff member for the Francine Bunch Memorial Award.

About the Francine Bunch Memorial Award

The Francine Bunch Memorial Award is awarded to one parent and one staff person, each with a Pennsylvania Head Start Association (PHSA) member organization, who displays the qualities of the late Francine Bunch, who started as a parent and ultimately became a Parent Involvement Coordinator with the Lancaster Child Development Program’s Head Start . Learn more about Bunch.

Eligibility

This honor may be awarded to one parent and one staff person each year. They must meet the following criteria:

The nominee(s) is a parent, staff member or former parent who is affiliated with a dues paying member program of the association.
The nominee(s) is actively involved with their local program and the program clearly benefits from their involvement.
The nominee(s) takes initiative in growing her/his professional development while involved in the local program.
The nominee(s) is involved in other local community activities.
The nominee(s) serves as a positive role model for parents and staff alike.
The nominee(s) promotes positive working relationships between parents, staff and friends at the local, state or federal level.

Nominations

Staff from a PHSA dues paying program may nominate a parent, former parent and/or coworker for the Francine Bunch Award. To nominate a candidate, staff must complete the Francine Bunch Nomination Form in full and attach a narrative that describes how the nominee meets the six criteria above.

Each nomination form and accompanying narrative will be evaluated by the PHSA Scholarships and Awards Committee, and one parent and one staff person will be selected to receive the award. Award winners are recognized with a commemorative plaque during PHSA’s Annual Spring Conference

Deadline

The application packet is available at the PHSA website. The deadline to apply is March 11, 2022.