Nathan Duke, Author at Trying Together

News

June 27, 2025

Trying Together Calls for Presentation Proposals for October UnConference

Trying Together invites those interested in presenting at its October UnConference, “From Representation to Inclusion,” to submit proposals for presentation topics relating to working with families of other cultures in early learning settings.

Learn More

Trying Together’s UnConference is an innovative, hands-on professional development training format where a deeper experience is provided around a particular theme related to early childhood education. Speakers are invited to present and participants are encouraged to engage hands-on in the workshops.

Trying Together’s upcoming event, UnConference: From Representation to Inclusion, will be held on Oct. 4 at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh.

Trying Together is seeking a focused range of topical presentations for the UnConference, which aims to be an introduction to working with families of other cultures in early learning settings. The audience for the UnConference will be early childhood educators – employees of child care and early learning programs – who may have limited experience working with children and families from cultures other than their own.

To submit a proposal, download the submission form. Then, submit the proposal as an attachment to learning@tryingtogether.org with the subject line “October 2025 Unconference Proposal” by 11:59 p.m. on July 25.

Choosing Topics

Appropriate topic areas include, but are not limited to:

Language access
Early literacy in English learner populations
Trauma-informed care for early learners
Early intervention access for multicultural families
Using the ASQ or other assessment tools with non-English speakers
Considerations around social emotional learning/mental health
Engaging with and showcasing the diversity in your child care program
Important distinctions between immigrants and refugees
Technology tools to support non-English speaking families
Cross cultural parenting practices/family systems
Engaging fathers from other cultures
Culturally specific workshops – for example, working with Muslim or Latinx families (lived experience preferred)
Community needs and resources to meet them
Immigrant rights and advocacy
School enrollment, adjustment, engagement, and involvement for immigrant children and their families, including kindergarten transition
Understanding microaggressions in cross-cultural settings

Proposals will be reviewed by the UnConference’s planning committee, which will review proposals based on:

Extent to which the proposal targets and is relevant to the early learning child care workforce in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Experience/expertise of presenters
Definition and focus of the topic
Ability to engage participants in discussion and hands-on learning experiences
Practical application of material and takeaways
Timeliness and importance of topic

Each workshop proposal should:

Encourage active learning
Present culturally sensitive ideas, practices, and/or relevant research aimed at positioning attendees as leaders at the early learning programs in which they work
Offer strategies for effective implementation of information acquired
Include presenters who have significant expertise in the topic area and who have spoken successfully in front of groups
Cover a 90-minute block of time

The proposal form will ask for a program description, learning objectives, and instructional methods. Those submitting proposals should provide enough detail, so the planning committee can understand how the session will be structured and which key issues will be covered.

Stipends and Important Dates

Trying Together will offer an honorarium of $250 to any organization or individual (if not affiliated with an organization) whose proposal is chosen to be presented at the UnConference. This opportunity is open to presenters located in Southwest Pennsylvania.

Proposals will be due on July 25 and all applicants will be notified by Aug. 15 about the status of their proposal and the time of their workshop. Presentation slides and materials/overviews are due electronically by Sept. 19. The UnConference will take place on Oct. 4.

News

June 26, 2025

APOST Strategic Plan to Provide Support to Out-of-School Time Providers

A new strategic plan developed by Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) will provide providers of out-of-school time programs in Allegheny County with more focused support.

Learn More

The recently completed plan positions APOST to both strengthen and celebrate the valuable work of the county’s out-of-school time providers. The strategic plan for 2025-27 involves three priorities: to improve awareness and support of out-of-school time, to support the organizational strength of its providers, and to professionalize the out-of-school time workforce.

“Our vision is that every young person in Allegheny County will have access to high-quality out-of-school time learning opportunities,” said Karen Dreyer, APOST’s executive director. “We know that the learning that goes on outside of the school day contributes to educational and social benefits for young people, their families, and the larger community. We also know that availability and quality of such programs are not consistent throughout the county.”

Out-of-school time is a valuable part of the educational and workforce development ecosystems, providing positive youth outcomes through safe, creative spaces for young people to learn during the hours out of school. APOST’s role is to be a convener, connector, and collaborator with out-of-school time providers focusing on school-aged youth in Allegheny County.

Kathryn Vargas, APOST’s board president, said APOST can affect policies and funding, program quality standards, and the professional growth of workers in the field. She said the plan will keep APOST focused on sustainability and growth of out-of-school time providers in the county.

“As we developed the plan, we recognized that many people don’t understand what out-of-school time really is or the contributions these programs make to students, families, and communities,” said Dr. Robert Scherrer, chairman of APOST’s strategic planning committee. “Our first objective is to develop a shared understanding of the definition and value of both out-of-school time and APOST.”

APOST has long focused on professional development opportunities for both leaders and front-line workers in out-of-school time programs. For the current year, it also plans to implement professional development initiatives that will elevate program excellence.

The strategic plan was developed by APOST staff, board members, and stakeholders over a period of seven months. More information on the plan can be found on the organization’s website.

News

June 25, 2025

Child Mind Institute Provides Resources on How to Support LGBTQ+ Children’s Mental Health

As part of June’s Pride Month, the Child Mind Institute has released a list of resources on how to support LBGTQ+ children’s mental health.

Learn More

One of the most important ways to support LGBTQ+ children is being aware of their mental health and emotional well-being, the Child Mind Institute wrote. Much like other teenagers, LGBTQ+ youths are vulnerable to anxiety and depression, especially if they are under pressure or do not feel accepted.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources include information on how to protect the mental health of LGBTQ+ children as well as signs of teen-onset mood disorders of which parents should be aware.

Also included among the resources are steps that caregivers should take if they are concerned about an LGBTQ+ youth and advice on how parents can support their children who are coming out or struggling with confusion about their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The resources also explore gender dysphoria, an extreme emotional distress that people can experience when their assigned sex and gender identity don’t match up. Lastly, the Child Mind Institute provides some tips for staying in communication with children in the tween and teenage years that can help them feel safer talking about challenging topics, such as sex and gender.

The resources include:

News

June 24, 2025

Resource Details the Four Elements Adults Should Utilize When Connecting with Children

Connection is the key to building trust and safety, and there are four elements that adults should focus on when attempting to connect with a child.

Learn More

In its most recent newsletter, the Infant Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Consultation shared a resource titled the Four Elements of Connection from Philadelphia-based education empowerment program Conscious Discipline.

The resource describes the four connection elements that can help caregivers or early childhood educators to bond with children they serve – eye contact, presence, touch, and playfulness.

The Four Elements

According to Conscious Discipline, adults should get down on the child’s level to achieve eye contact for a brief moment. The eyes contain nerve projections that lead directly to key brain structures for empathy and matching emotions.

Being present is the moment means that one’s mind and body are in the same place and the mind is free from chatter. Presence is about acceptance as an adult and child relax and enjoy sharing the same moment.

Touch creates a hormone that is essential to neural functioning and learning. To allow for smart, happy children, Conscious Discipline writes, adults need to provide more appropriate, caring touch.

And playfulness helps to build bonds and create biochemistry in the brain for dopamine, which helps children to pay attention and stay focused. Playful situations help to strengthen the dopamine system, increase attention span, and boost social development.

For more information, read the Conscious Discipline resource on the four elements of connection.

News

Child Mind Institute Provides Sleepover and Summer Camp Anxiety Resources

Spending the night at a friend’s house or going away to summer camp can be a fun and exciting rite of passage for children and young adults – but it can also involve anxiety.

Learn More

The Child Mind Institute has released resources regarding sleepover and summer camp anxiety to help parents in easing their children’s minds when they are going to spend the night away from home.

Spending the night at a friend’s house or at a sleepover camp can help children to develop independence, but such occasions can be cut short by a stomachache brought on by anxiety.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources discuss how to help children develop the courage to spend the night away from home. One article discusses how one bad experience away from home can lead to anxiety about doing so again, while another involves how parents’ anxiety about their children being away can be passed on to their child.

Here are The Child Mind Institute’s resources on sleepover and summer camp anxiety:

News

CitiParks Operating Cooling Centers Amid Pittsburgh Heatwave

CitiParks will operate six cooling centers this week amid temperatures exceeding 90 degrees in Pittsburgh.

Learn More

With temperatures expected to hit 96 degrees on Tuesday and 92 on Wednesday, CitiParks has activated six Healthy Active Living Centers as cooling centers through Wednesday.

The centers will provide residents with a safe, air-conditioned environment to escape the heat and will remain open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Locations include:

Beechview (1555 Broadway Ave.)
Brighton Heights (3515 McClure Ave.)
Greenfield (745 Greenfield Avenue)
Homewood (7321 Frankstown Road)
Sheraden (720 Sherwood Ave.)
South Side (12th & Bingham Streets)

Residents are encouraged to take precautions during periods of extreme heat, especially older adults, young children, and those with underlying health conditions.

CitiParks typically activates cooling centers when the forecasted highs are predicted to be above 90 degrees.

News

June 23, 2025

OCDEL Bureau of Certification Services Podcast Covers Topics for Child Care Providers

For those seeking news and information on the state Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s (OCDEL) Bureau of Certification Services, a good place to start would be The Confluence Podcast.

Learn More

Confluence means “a flowing together,” and can often refer to the coming together of ideas or factors. In The Confluence Podcast, listeners can learn about the complexities of the Bureau of Certification Services’ partnership with stakeholders across the state, especially Early Childhood providers, children, and families.

The podcast’s latest episode, “Understanding the Complex Differences Between Certification and Quality Initiatives,” explores confusion around what are general health and safety and certification requirements and what are the standards and processes for quality initiatives, both local and national.

In this episode, the Bureau of Certification Services’s director, Ruby Martin, and division chief, Chris Loos, discuss complex issues facing the provider community with Luisa Olivo-Wolf, director of OCDEL’s Bureau of Early Learning Policy.

To listen to other episodes, visit The Confluence Podcast’s web page.

News

Public Source Survey Seeks Responses on Federal Cuts to Summer Programs

Public Source is calling on Pittsburgh residents to respond to a survey regarding how they are handling federal cuts that are affecting summer and out-of-school time programs.

Learn More

Public Source says it’s seeking input from area residents to gain insight on how they are handling the summer with federal cuts affecting everything from summer out-of-school programs to parks.

The survey asks how the cuts are affecting residents’ summer plans, and the publication notes that responses could be used in future articles.

For further context, read Public Source’s recent article, “Pittsburgh After-School Programs Left Scrambling as Federal Funding Cuts Hit the Region.”

Public Source’s survey on the matter is available online.

News

June 18, 2025

OCDEL Makes Announcement About Providers’ Access to First Aid and CPR

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)’s Bureau of Policy and Professional Development has released an announcement regarding providers’ access to free First Aid and CPR training.

Learn More

According to the announcement for early childhood education professional development organizations, access to free pediatric First Aid and CPR training for providers will no longer be available effective July 1.

The focus of professional development organizations, the announcement said, is to provide credit-bearing professional preparation for the early childhood education workforce.

Providers are responsible for securing appropriate training in First Aid and CPR. State child care regulations require all staff members to complete professional development in First Aid and CPR within 90 days of hire and renew their certification before the expiration of the most current certification.

For more information, read the announcement.

News

RAD Pass Offering Thousands of Free Admissions to Pittsburgh’s Top Attractions

A number of Pittsburgh’s top attractions are offering tens of thousands of free admissions through August 31 for those who have an Allegheny County library card and a Regional Asset District (RAD) Pass reservation.

Learn More

RAD Summer Staycation reservation spots will be added regularly through August. Users are asked to read offers carefully, as some attractions offer two- or four-packs for admission.

Currently, attractions making offers of free visits on the RAD Pass website include:

The Andy Warhol Museum
Carnegie Museum of Art
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Carnegie Science Center
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
The Frick Pittsburgh
Mattress Factory
National Aviary
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

In the coming months, the following institutions will make offers:

Heinz History Center
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum

Booking Tickets

To book tickets for RAD Summer Staycation admissions, visit the RAD Pass website. Then, users should log in with their Allegheny County library card and PIN and browse for passes by date or venue. Once a pass is reserved, it should be printed or downloaded to a mobile device.

Participants are asked to only book a reservation that they plan to use on the selected date. They should also cancel their reservation to open up spots for others if they find out they cannot attend on a day they reserved.

For more information, visit the RAD Pass website.