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Author: Nathan Duke

Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Effects of Traumatic Separation

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June 23, 2026

Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Effects of Traumatic Separation

Whether it’s a young child whose father disappears without warning, one whose caregiver is detained and deported, or a young person who is placed in foster care, separation from a parent or caregiver can be traumatic for a child.

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Traumatic separation, according to the Child Mind Institute, is a clinical concept based on the importance of the caregiver- or parent-child bond and the profound effects that can result from breaking it.

The element that makes a separation harmful is not necessarily its length, but its character – ones that are sudden or confusing or those that come about through large-scale distressing events, such as a war or natural disaster.

In its latest set of resources, the Child Mind Institute has provided an article about how traumatic separation affects children of all ages and how the right support can prevent long-lasting negative effects and help them to recover. Another piece focuses on separation anxiety and other effects on children, such as difficulty paying attention, acting out, or regression.

The resources also feature information on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), advice for military families on how to help children feel secure and connected when parents are deployed, and a discussion of how serious stress can affect child development and why it’s important to help them learn coping strategies and build resilience.

The resources include:

Study: Families Approve of Allegheny County Summer Programs But Many Face Barriers to Access Them

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Study: Families Approve of Allegheny County Summer Programs But Many Face Barriers to Access Them

Many families in Allegheny County face barriers to accessing summer programs, but caregivers with children who attend the programs are mostly pleased with them, according to data from the America After 3PM study.

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The Afterschool Alliance and Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) shared county-specific data from the report, “The Summer Struggle for Everyday Families: Affording the Opportunities Parents Want for Youth.”

APOST noted that 96% of Allegheny County caregivers whose child is enrolled said they were satisfied with the program their child attends. A total of 91% of caregivers also favored public funding for summer learning opportunities, APOST’s study found.

“Finding affordable summer programs for their children is a major challenge for too many Allegheny County families,” said Jodi Grant, the Afterschool Alliance’s executive director. “Parents need to stay in their jobs to provide for their families, but when they can’t find affordable summer programs, their children may be unsupervised, on screens, at risk, and in some cases without healthy food during the summer months.”

Grant added that she believed the county should invest more in summer programs that keep children safe, engaged, and learning while giving working families peace of mind.

The report’s key findings included:

  • Affordability remains the top barrier, particularly for low- and middle-income families.
  • Caregivers want their children to have summer learning opportunities.
  • For families who can access programs, the experience is a positive one.
  • A majority of caregivers – both those with and without children in summer programs – support public funding for programs.

For more information, read the America After 3PM report.

PA One Book Program Helps to Nurture Love of Reading in Young Children

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June 22, 2026

PA One Book Program Helps to Nurture Love of Reading in Young Children

Families, child care providers, libraries, and community organizations can all help to instill a love of reading in young children through the Pennsylvania One Book program, which offers free, engaging resources to support early literacy and meaningful reading experiences.

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Each year, the PA One Book program selects a book for young children and a collection of easy-to-use tools to bring the story to life. The program has named Jessica Shaw’s “The Great Cookie Kerfuffle” as its 2026 PA One Book of the year.

The book tells the story of a small farm that breaks into chaos as increasing numbers of f arm animals fight over a dropped cookie. Suddenly, there’s trouble overhead and the animals unite against a common enemy, learning that friendship and taking care of each other is more important than winning a fight.

Available resources include:

  • Printable activity guides with fun, age-appropriate learning activities
  • Information on how to host a PA One Book reading event in your community
  • Printable bookmarks to encourage children to read
  • Printable stickers to celebrate participation and make reading reading fun

The resources are designed to be used at home, in classrooms, during library storytimes, and at community events. 

To explore this year’s book and download free materials, visit the PA One Book website.

Thriving Kids Episode Discusses How to Support Children’s and Your Own Mental Health

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Thriving Kids Episode Discusses How to Support Children’s and Your Own Mental Health

Most people don’t want to just exist to get through life – but rather, they would at some point like to thrive, a notion that is explored in the latest Thriving Kids podcast.

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Psychologist Alfiee Breland-Noble, PhD, MHSc, has spent years studying what gets in the way of thriving for young people and what helps. One of her key takeaways is that the way we care for our own mental health teaches children how to care for theirs.

On the latest Thriving Kids podcast, Dave Anderson, PhD, senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement and education for The Child Mind Institute, joins Breland-Noble, founder of the mental health nonprofit The AAKOMA Project and author of “Rise and Thrive,” to discuss this topic.

The discussion focuses on what her research reveals about the pressures on young people – including the nonstop news cycle – as well as why social media can be a risk and, for others, a genuine lifeline. They also discuss how trusted voices and community can chip away at stigma.

Some of their tips on how to support a child’s mental health and one’s own include:

  • Get children used to talking about feelings before there is a problem; talking openly and regularly about emotions helps to normalize mental health, so it feels less scary or shameful when something harder comes along.
  • Show children how to cope and don’t just tell them what to do; children pick up coping habits by watching the adults around them, so name your own feelings and what you do about them aloud.
  • Taking care of your mental health is part of parenting, not a luxury; managing your own stress is one of the best ways to keep children from absorbing it and tending to your own well-being shows them that practicing mental health care is something grown-ups do.
  • When upsetting news comes up, help children process it; if something is frightening in the news, it’s better for children to hear it from you – calmly present the facts – so you can set the emotional tone.
  • Take their online life seriously and stay curious about it; rather than dismissing social media’ impact, check in regularly and ask children about notice how particular apps, feeds, and comments make them feel.

For more information, listen to the Thriving Kids podcast.

PD Registry Debuts App for Apple and Android Devices

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June 17, 2026

PD Registry Debuts App for Apple and Android Devices

Pennsylvania’s Professional Development (PD) Registry has a new app that is now available on Apple and Android devices.

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The registry’s new app is intended to make it easier for early learning professionals to manage their professional development while on the go.

With the app, registry users can:

  • Upload documents directly from their phone camera or files
  • Access and manage their PD Registry anytime in any place

The app is free to download in the Apple Store and Google Play.

The app was designed with state early educators in mind and helps to save time so they can stay focused on supporting children and their families.

The PD Registry is an online early childhood education workforce system that acts as a hub for educators to manage their careers, track training hours, find professional development opportunities, and apply for credentials or tuition assistance.

CitiParks Opens Pools, Kicks Off Summer Concerts and Other Activities

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June 16, 2026

CitiParks Opens Pools, Kicks Off Summer Concerts and Other Activities

CitiParks has opened its 16 swimming pools for the summer and has everything from farmers markets to community pop-up concerts planned for the next few months.

City Pools

The city recently opened up its 16 pools for the summer – Ammon, Banksville, Bloomfield, Highland, Jack Stack, Magee, McBride, Moore, Ormsby, Phillips, Ream, Riverview, Schenley, Sue Murray, West Penn and Westwood. The Homewood pool is expected to open soon following an update and renovation.

Pool hours and schedules are posted on the city pools’ website. All pools are free for those under age 15 who live in the city of Pittsburgh. Those over age 15 can pay per visit or purchase a season pass.

CitiCamp and Other Activities

CitiParks will also offer a wide variety of activities this summer, most of which can be found in its Summer Guide.

Activities include:

  • Farmers markets
  • Roving Art Cart
  • Food programs
  • Alphabet Trail & Tales
  • Tennis and pickleball
  • Roller skating
  • CitiSports
  • Try Athletes’ First Try Collection
  • Track and Treat
  • Aquatics
  • Cinema in the Park
  • Summer concerts 
  • America’s 250th Birthday and Annual Independence Celebration

The city is also offering its free CitiCamp, with 238 campers between the ages of 4 and 12 at six recreation centers. The STEAM-based camp enables attendees to engage with art, science, math, history, field trips, and other activities. It runs daily from June 15 through July 31.

Summer Concerts

CitiParks will also host several community pop-up concerts throughout the summer. The concerts – three of which will be held on Friday nights in Mellon Park, while the fourth is a special Sunday finale at Allegheny Commons Park West – include:

  • Come Together Beatles’ tribute at Mellon Park (Friday, July 10 at 7 p.m.)
  • Norman Nardini Band at Mellon Park (Friday, July 17 at 7 p.m.)
  • The Flow Band at Mellon Park (Friday, July 24 at 7 p.m.)
  • Billy Price & Joe Grushecky Perform “Forever Young: A Tribute to Bob Dylan” at Allegheny Commons Park West (Sunday, September 13 at 7 p.m.)

The city will also host its Summer Concert Series at South Park Amphitheater and Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater. This year’s lineup at South Park includes the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (July 3), The Heavy Heavy (July 10), Orleans (July 17), and Don McLean (July 31), while Hartwood’s lineup includes the orchestra (July 5), The Fixx (July 12), Arrested Development (July 26), and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (August 9).

Resources Focus on How to Support LGBTQ+ Children’s Mental Health

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Resources Focus on How to Support LGBTQ+ Children’s Mental Health

June is Pride Month and one of the most important ways to support LGBTQ+ children in embracing their identities is to help them tend to their mental health and emotional well-being.

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While any children can experience bullying or rejection, the Child Mind Institute writes in a new series of resources, children in the queer community are particularly targeted. This puts them at higher risk for such mental health challenges as anxiety and depression.

The institute’s resources include advice on what to do when a child is questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity – or decides to come out.

The resources feature an article on ways to arm children with tools to combat bullying and another on how to keep the lines of communication open with teens, which can help them to feel safer talking about topics such as sex, gender, and romantic relationships.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources include:

OCDEL Kicks Off 2026 Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip

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June 15, 2026

OCDEL Kicks Off 2026 Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has unveiled its 2026 Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip, which features a theme of exploring the natural world.

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Each year, OCDEL’s initiative helps families, teachers, and early childhood partners to explore ways to support young children’s love of reading and learning.

This year’s theme, From Ground to Sky, encourages children to explore the natural world, from the rocks beneath their feet to the trees high above them, by looking closely, asking questions, and discovering how nature connects to their everyday lives.

The initiative’s Nature Journal – which can be printed in English and Spanish – is a family travel companion that includes:

  • Inclusive early learning activities designed for all young children
  • Hands-on nature experiences to do in the backyard, a park, or on a walk
  • Family-friendly activities that support learning through play and exploration

All activities in the Nature Journal are aligned with Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards, which help children to build important skills in language, literacy, curiosity, observation, and self-regulation that will be necessary as they begin school.

The Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip’s map highlights special areas in Pennsylvania to find native rocks and trees – such as Cook Forest State Park, Archbald Pothole State Park, Chatham Arboretum, Keystone State Park, and other locations.

To view the initiative’s numerous activities – which include everything from a building and sorting rock challenge to differentiating the buds, leaves, branches, and other parts of a tree – visit the 2026 Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip website.

PA Promise for Children Releases June List of Books for Preschoolers

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PA Promise for Children Releases June List of Books for Preschoolers

Pennsylvania Promise for Children has released its June list of recommended books for preschoolers that includes eight titles across four categories.

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The four categories in which PA Promise for Children has organized the books are Language and Literacy Skills, Partnership for Learning, Social Emotional Development, and Health, Wellness, and Physical Development.

This month’s selections include:

Language and Literacy Skills

  • S is for S’mores: A Camping Alphabet (Helen Foster James)
  • Q is for Duck: An Alphabet Guessing Game (Mary Elting)

Partnership for Learning

  • Magic Shapes (Patrick George)
  • Tap the Magic Tree (Christie Matheson)

Social Emotional Development

  • The Quiltmaker’s Gift (Jeff Brumbeau)
  • Zen Shorts (Jon J. Muth)

Health, Wellness and Physical Development 

  • Sofa Boy (Scott Langteau)
  • One Two Three PULL! (Sophie Schmid and Sabine Praml)

To view the entire list, visit PA Promise for Children’s website.

Chambers of Commerce Coalition Asks State Assembly to Continue Investing in Child Care Workforce

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June 11, 2026

Chambers of Commerce Coalition Asks State Assembly to Continue Investing in Child Care Workforce

A coalition of 81 local chambers of commerce from across Pennsylvania is urging the Pennsylvania State Assembly to continue investing in the child care workforce as part of the 2026-27 state budget.

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The coalition, led by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, delivered a sign-on letter to state policymakers calling for additional investments in the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program, Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Programs.

Other chambers of commerce to join the coalition included the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, Greene County Chamber of Commerce, Butler County Chamber of Commerce, Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, Indiana County Chamber of Commerce, Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, Fayette Chamber of Commerce, Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce, and Three Rivers Business Alliance.

The letter emphasizes that the state’s child care crisis is not only a family issue, but also a workforce and economic development challenge. Employers around the state continue to report that working caregivers are struggling to find and afford quality child care, making it harder to fill open positions, maintain productivity, and support economic growth.

“In Indiana County and communities like ours across Pennsylvania, employers need reliable access to talent and parents need reliable access to child care,” said Mark Hilliard, president of the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce. “When child care providers cannot hire and keep staff, businesses feel the impact through absenteeism, turnover, and unfilled jobs. A stronger investment in recruitment and retention is an investment in workforce stability.” 

The Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program, the letter notes, was created as a first step to help child care providers address severe staffing shortages by supporting teacher recruitment and retention. Chamber of commerce leaders said that growing the program would help providers to better compete in a tight labor market, stabilize classrooms, and expand access for working families. 

The letter states that providers continue to struggle to compete with other sectors that offer higher wages, while the average child care teacher in the state earns just over $15 per hour. As a result, providers have been forced to close classrooms, limit enrollment, and maintain long waitlists despite strong demand.

The chambers are also calling for increased investments in Pre-K Counts and Head Start to help providers address inflationary pressures and workforce shortages. The letter noted that the state’s child care crisis costs working families and employers approximately $6.5 billion annually in lost wages and productivity. 

For more details, read the coalition’s letter.