Trying Together Names TT’s Toy Box Owner as June Advocate of the Month

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July 2, 2026

Trying Together Names TT’s Toy Box Owner as June Advocate of the Month

Trying Together has selected Natika Proctor, owner of TT’s Toy Box in McKees Rocks, as its June advocate of the month.

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TT’s Toy Box is an early care and education program that also offers after-school and summer camp programs.

Proctor was recommended as Advocate of the Month by Larette McCoy, who works for Pittsburgh Area Community Schools at Sto-Rox Primary Center, because of her commitment to adding support at her program for children with developmental delays and disabilities.

She was also cited for her presence at community events, personal investment in her work, sending her staff to local events, engaging local legislators, leading with kindness, working well with parents, and being a community leader.

“Natika does an amazing job championing joy in her program, whether it’s preschool graduation or the yearly kids’ ‘prom,’” said Valerie Williams, Trying Together’s kindergarten transition program director. “Natika is constantly thinking of new ways to connect with the community, welcome families, and foster joy and play in her school community.”

Proctor said she became an advocate because she was a single mother of three children who believed that the care they were receiving wasn’t adequate. She said that TT’s Toy Box aims to provide a quality education for every child and family who pass through its doors.

“We advocate for every child’s right to learn, grow, and succeed,” she said. “We are committed to supporting your children and families by fostering inclusion, promoting equality, and also ensuring access to resources that help each child to their fullest potential.”

OCDEL Announces Requirements for Programs Using Keystone STARS – Alternate Pathways

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July 1, 2026

OCDEL Announces Requirements for Programs Using Keystone STARS – Alternate Pathways

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s (OCDEL) Bureau of Policy and Professional Development has released an announcement regarding requirements for programs using an OCDEL-approved Alternate Pathways in Keystone STARS.

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The announcement includes guidance on:

  • Changes to the requirements for OCDEL-approved Keystone STARS – Alternate Pathways programs
  • Addition of Cognia as an OCDEL-approved Keystone STARS – Alternate Pathway
  • Initial steps for programs using an OCDEL-approved Keystone STARS – Alternate Pathway
  • Designation requirements for OCDEL-approved Keystone STAR Alternate Pathway programs
  • Reminders for OCDEL-approved Keystone STARS-Alternate Pathway programs
  • Next steps

Keystone STARS, the state’s quality rating and improvement system, promotes quality in early childhood education programs for children and families. OCDEL recognizes that there are state and national accrediting organizations that similarly serve to ensure early childhood education programs provide high quality and enriching programming to children and families.

To give credence to these organizations and their accreditation standards of quality, OCDEL offers several approved Keystone STARS – Alternate Pathways. Programs that are accredited  through an OCDEL-approved Alternate Pathway and wish to use the pathway for a Keystone STARS designation must apply for an initial Alternate Pathway designation in the Professional Development (PD) Registry system.

Additionally, these programs are required to complete annual renewals of their Alternate Pathway designation in the registry system. Failure to do so will result in the program dropping to a STAR 1.

The full announcement is available on The Pennsylvania Key.

June Recalls on Children’s Products

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June Recalls on Children’s Products

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

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

  • Nara Organics recalled all lots of its Nara infant formula because of a possible health risk or Clostridium botulinum contamination. Infant botulism is a rare but potentially fatal illness that presents a serious threat when spores are ingested and colonize the intestinal tract, producing botulinum neurotoxins in the immature gut of infants. Affected infants can present the following signs: constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids, sluggish pupils, low muscle tone, difficulty sucking and swallowing, weak or altered cry, generalized weakness, respiratory difficulty, and respiratory arrest.
  • Little Grape Land recalled its nursing pillows due to risk of suffocation for infants. The pillows violate mandatory safety standards for nursing pillows and infant support cushions because they can obstruct an infant’s breathing, posing a serious risk of injury or death from suffocation.
  • Tiny Land recalled its children’s play tents because the tents’ fiberglass poles can shed fibers, posing an injury risk of skin and eye irritation. Consumers can contact Tiny Land to receive a free repair kit with a set of four plastic replacement poles, including shipping.
  • TOMY recalled its Boon NURSH 8 oz reusable baby bottles because they pose a choking hazard. The hard plastic outer shell can buttle or partially peel off, resulting in loose pieces of film-like plastic that pose a choking hazard.
  • LiKee recalled its pull-string teething toys because they pose choking hazards. The toys have silicone strings that are smaller and longer than permitted. The strings can reach the back of children’s throats and become lodged, posing a serious risk of respiratory distress and choking.
  • The Black Sheep Fam recalled its children’s pajamas due to potential burn hazards. The pajamas violate mandatory flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of serious burn injuries or death to children.
  • Timechee recalled its changing table dressers because they pose a risk of injury or death from tip-over or entrapment. The dressers are unstable if not anchored to the wall and violate mandatory safety standards.
  • School Specialty recalled its tip restraint kits that are included in Childcraft Furniture because they pose a risk of injury or death from tip-over. The kits can break or degrade, posing tip-over and entrapment risks. 
  • Joyin recalled its Sloosh dive sticks because they pose a serious risk of injury from impalement. The sticks violate a federal ban because they exceed the compress limit. In shallow water, children may fall or land on a dive stick, resulting in serious piercing injuries. Facial and eye injuries are also possible when children attempt to retrieve the sticks underwater.
  • 7-Drawers recalled its dressers due to risks posed by tip-over and entrapment. The dressers are unstable if they are not anchored to the wall, posing risk of serious injuries or death to children.
  • GOPO Toys recalled its pull-string teething toys because they pose a risk of injury or death from choking. The toys’ silicone strings are smaller and longer than permitted, and can reach the back of children’s throats, becoming lodged and posing a serious risk of respiratory distress or choking.
  • Joolz recalled its car seat adapters can fail to properly attach to the stroller, which may allow the car seat to fall and poses a risk of serious injury from a fall.
  • SHEIN Distribution Corporation recalled its Michley children’s pajamas because they violate mandatory flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of serious burn injuries or death.
  • BABESIDE recalled its doll and stroller children’s toys because they pose a risk of choking. The toys violate a small parts ban because they are intended for children under age 3 and the small pacifier poses a deadly choking hazard to young children. Additionally, the eyes on the plush bear can detach and pose a choking hazard.
  • Veseacky recalled its pajama sets because they violate mandatory safety standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of serious injury or death to children from burns.
  • CooCooBaby recalled its baby loungers because they pose a risk of suffocation and fall hazards. The loungers violate mandatory standards for infant sleep products because the sides are shorter than the minimum side height limit to secure the infant, the sleeping pad’s thickness exceeds the maximum limit and poses a suffocation hazard, and an infant could fall out of an enclosed opening at the foot of the lounger or become entrapped. The loungers do not have a stand, posing a fall hazard.
  • Montessori has recalled its Busy Board toys because they have magnets that can detach, posing a deadly ingestion hazard. When the high-powered magnets are swallowed, they can attract each other and other metal objects and become lodged in the digestive system. This can result in perforations, twisting, blocking the intestines, blood poisoning, or death. 
  • Raychy recalled its children’s light sneakers because they pose a risk of battery ingestion by children. The sneakers’ lithium coin batteries can be easily accessed by children, posing an ingestion hazard. The packaging and product also do not have required warnings. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, they can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, or death.
  • Shield Line has recalled its MedPride baby oil bottles because they pose a risk of child poisoning. The baby oil contains low-viscosity hydrocarbons but are not in child-resistant packaging as required by law. If ingested, there is a risk of serious injury or illness from poisoning. Also, petroleum distillates can get into the lungs, causing chemical pneumonia or pulmonary damage, which can be fatal.
  • Yamazuki recalled its youth all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) because they are missing brake lights, reducing visibility of the ATV to other vehicles, posing a deadly crash hazard.
  • Honlyne recalled its LED party favors because they pose a risk of battery ingestion. The battery compartment within the light-up products contains button cell batteries that can be easily accessed by children. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, they can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, and death.
  • Kith Retail recalled its children’s loungewear sets because they violate mandatory flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of serious burn injuries.

Keystone STARS Performance Standards Available in Spanish

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June 30, 2026

Keystone STARS Performance Standards Available in Spanish

The Keystone STARS Performance Standards are now available in Spanish.

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The performance standards operate on the principle that quality learning programs are the foundation for children’s success and that investment in the early care and education of children is an investment in the future.

The standards are organized into four STAR levels that build on each other to support continuous quality improvement. When a program meets performance standards for a specific STAR level, it receives a STAR designation.

A Keystone STARS designation indicates that children are in a safe, quality, respectful environment.

For more information and to view the Spanish version of the Keystone STARS Performance Standards, visit The Pennsylvania Key’s website.

The Buzzword is WIGGLY

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The Buzzword is WIGGLY

As part of its programming, Buzzword distributes its signature “BUZZ Boxes” to local families to help excite children from birth to age five as well as their caregivers about new words that are all around them. These family engagement kits come complete with a high-quality children’s book and enriching activities that support early literacy skills and development.

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This month’s Buzzword is WIGGLY, which means moving, twisting, and shaking around with quick, little, or curvy motions. Buzzword’s WIGGLY Activity Book will give children – ages birth to five – and their caregivers the opportunity to connect through science, art, music, and early literacy activities.

Caregivers are encouraged to read through Look, Touch, Learn, Sea by Charlotte Archer with their child. Then, they should go through the different activities and ideas together, taking time to explain the meaning of the words and connecting them to their child’s real-life experiences.

Buzzword has also provided a WIGGLY book list of recommendations from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for further reading.

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Want to learn more on how to get involved with Buzzword? Ask your local Allegheny County Family Center about the program, or email buzzword@tryingtogether.org.

Start Strong PA Urges Providers to Send Letters to Policymakers About Success of Recruitment and Retention Program

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June 29, 2026

Start Strong PA Urges Providers to Send Letters to Policymakers About Success of Recruitment and Retention Program

Start Strong PA is calling on providers of child care programs who received additional funding from last year’s state budget to send a message to Pennsylvania state legislators to let them know that investments in the state’s early care and education programs are beneficial.

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Currently, state lawmakers are finalizing the state’s 2026-2027 budget. Start Strong PA is urging child care providers to reach out to policymakers to ask them to include, at minimum, the following proposed investments in the early care and education workforce:

  • A $10 million increase for the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program
  • A $2 million increase for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program
  • A $7.5 million increase for Pre-K Counts

Start Strong PA is asking providers who received a Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Award or funding to provide bonuses to staff to let policymakers know if the bonus helped to pay bills, catch up on expenses, support one’s family, or reduce financial stress. 

Providers can also let policymakers know whether the additional funding helped them to feel recognized for the work they do every day. Those who contact legislators can personalize their letters with their own story.

For more information, visit Start Strong PA’s website.

Resources for July Observances

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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

National Make a Difference to Children Month

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Days of Recognition 

July 4 is Independence Day

July 14 is International Nonbinary People’s Day

July 25 is World Drowning Prevention Day

July 26 is National Parents’ Day

July 26 is National Disability Independence Day

 

Southwestern PA Aspiring Leaders with Disabilities Can Apply for Fellowship Program

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Southwestern PA Aspiring Leaders with Disabilities Can Apply for Fellowship Program

Aspiring leaders with disabilities in the Pittsburgh region can now apply for the 2027 Disability Lead Institute’s fellows program.

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The Institute Fellows vary from community activists and artists to entrepreneurs and corporate employees who live or work in Southwestern Pennsylvania or the Chicago region. 

Fellows are emerging or established leaders who are interested in exploring their disability identity and learning how to lead with power and influence among a group of peers.

Ideal candidates are described as:

  • Those who self identify as a person with a disability
  • Has at least five years of leadership experience in any context
  • Committed to seeking voluntary participation on a board, commission, or other leadership position in public, private, or nonprofit sectors
  • Committed to strengthening cross-disability identity and knowledge
  • Interested in expanding leadership skills and self awareness and advancing their career
  • Located in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington, or Westmoreland counties

To learn more about the fellowship or to apply, visit the 2027 Disability Lead Institute’s website.

Proceeds from Washington Wild Things Game in August to Benefit Trying Together

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June 24, 2026

Proceeds from Washington Wild Things Game in August to Benefit Trying Together

Trying Together and SmartKids Child Care & Learning Center invite families to join them for a Family Fun Night at the Washington Wild Things game on Sunday, August 9.

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The Wild Things will take on the Evansville Otters during the game at EQT Park. Children, ages 12 and under, will get in free and receive a voucher for a free meal that night at the game. 

To support the work of Trying Together and the Washington, Pa.-based SmartKids Child Care & Learning Center, 50% of ticket sale proceeds will go to the two organizations.

The game will begin at 4:05 p.m. on August 9 at EQT Park, located at 1 Washington Federal Way in Washington.

The event will also include a kid’s area with inflatables on the third-base side. A ticket costs $1 to play on the four inflatables.

Tickets can be purchased online. A single ticket for attendees ages 13 and above will be $11.50. Group reserved seats are located in Section 206. Tickets can be purchased until 6:35 p.m. on game day.

Pittsburgh Offering Free Meals for Children At Rec Centers, Other Locations Through August

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Pittsburgh Offering Free Meals for Children At Rec Centers, Other Locations Through August

Through mid-August, any child under the age of 18 can receive free breakfast, lunch, and snacks at eight rec centers and more than 40 partner locations in Pittsburgh.

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CitiParks is working with Pittsburgh Public Schools, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Turner’s, Monteverde’s, and the American Dairy Association to offer the program. The continuance of the program was announced last week in Highland Park, CBS News reported. 

Children under age 18 – or those with intellectual disabilities up to age 21 – can receive a free meal at one of eight CitiParks rec centers. Numerous other locations providing the meals can be found on the city’s website. The programs wrap up for the summer at various times in August, with the latest closing down on August 14.

The eight rec center locations include: 

  • Ammon Rec Center (2217 Bedford Avenue)
  • Brookline Rec Center (1400 Oakridge Street)
  • Jefferson Rec Center (605 Rednap Street)
  • Magee Rec Center (745 Greenfield Avenue)
  • Ormsby Rec Center (79 S. 22nd Street)
  • Paulson Rec Center (1201 Paulson Avenue)
  • Phillips Rec Center (201 Parkfield Street)
  • Warrington Rec Center (329 E. Warrington Avenue)

The city has also provided a printable summer food program.