February 19, 2025 NSLA to Host Free Summer Planning Bootcamp in March The National Summer Learning Association is holding a free Summer Planning Bootcamp in March to prepare for the events that it will provide to millions of young people across the nation this summer. The bootcamp will feature three sessions each day and is open to all. Attendees will learn from top education leaders, youth development experts, and programs that will share their resources, insights, and best practices on hot topics. Day 1: Thursday, March 13 On the first day of the bootcamp, which runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., participants will hear from three panels. These include: Setting the Compass: Current Research and Impact (understanding the current landscape of summer learning) Learning and Engagement in Summer Programs (creating environments full of hands-on experiences in which youth can share their voice, build connections with others, and find a deeper meaning in their learning) Leadership and Staff Development (how program leaders can build a sense of belonging, agency, active engagement, and reflection in staff) Day 2: Friday, March 14 The second day of the bootcamp – which runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – will include the following panels: Community and Partnerships (building and maintaining strong links with community organizations, families, and other partners to support youth success) Data Collection and Quality Matters (creating a quality improvement cycle with all program stakeholders) Innovations in Summer Learning (learning that matters, building skills, and providing opportunities) Both days of the bootcamp are free of charge and will be held on Zoom. Registration is now open.
February 18, 2025 PA Child Welfare Resource Center to Host Parent Listening Sessions The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center (CWRC) will host listening sessions in the spring and summer for parents who have a closed case with a county children and youth agency. Learn More The listening sessions will provide parents with opportunities for partnership with professionals in the child welfare system. The CWRC wants to meet with parents to learn from their experiences with county children and youth agencies and to get input to help inform the system. The listening events are by invitation only and selected parents will receive $300 for time, travel, and child care. The sessions will be held from March to June. As registrations are received, event locations will be selected based on proximity to the applicants’ counties of residence. More information on the parent listening sessions can be found online.
February 17, 2025 Just Harvest: SNAP Users Should Be Proactive in Protecting Benefits from Scams Just Harvest – an Allegheny County organization that addresses economic injustice through a focus on public policy and food access – is encouraging residents who use SNAP to be proactive in protecting their benefits. Learn More The organization pointed out that Congress has failed to extend a provision that protects SNAP users from skimming, during which SNAP benefits are stolen off EBT cards at point-of-sale machines. As a result, any SNAP benefits stolen will no longer be replaced. Those whose benefits have been stolen should report the theft to their local County Assistance Office and request a new EBT card. Once they have obtained a new EBT card, they should routinely change their PIN number. DHS Text Alert Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services has announced plans for an upcoming text alert that warns residents of recent nationwide increases of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud. The department said the text alert would warn residents about incidents of card skimming. The text will come from the number 833-648-1964. The department also warns that DHS text messages would never include: Details about a person’s benefits, such as the amount of SNAP they are authorized to receive A request for personal information Links to unofficial sites; most texts will direct people to dhs.pa.gov, COMPASS, or a site that ends in .gov or .org.
PA Promise for Children Shares Black History Month Resources for Parents PA Promise for Children has shared a series of resources on a variety of topics that parents can share with their children to celebrate Black History Month. Learn More The series includes 11 items that celebrate Black History Month, which during the month of February recognizes the contribution of African Americans to U.S. society and history. One of the resources includes inspiring activities compiled by PBS Kids in which parents and their children can take part in for Black History Month. Another is a free webinar series on Black mental health issues. The list includes an article from Parents Together on seven African American leaders who helped to change the way children in the United States are educated. PA Promise for Children also included its list of books for children to celebrate the month. Among the resources was National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman’s 2021 inauguration poem, “The Hill We Climb.” It is coupled with an exploration of African American poetry for children. Other resources include: The National Museum of African American History & Culture’s Talking About Race with children resource PBS’ Teaching Your Child About Black History Month National Geographic Kids’ Black History Month resource Reading Rockets’ Celebrating and Learning About Black History and Culture and Books About Black History and Culture To view the entire list of resources and more, visit PA Promise for Children’s website.
Trying Together Registering Participants for Highmark Walk The 2025 Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community will be held in June. The event is an annual fundraising walk that benefits local health and human service agencies to raise money for their missions. Register With Trying Together Trying Together is currently registering walkers to take part in the event, which will be held on Saturday, June 14 at Stage AE in Pittsburgh. Those who participate will be able to sign up to walk as an individual, join a team, or create a new team. Participants will be able to donate and track donations made as well as send templated email reminders to teammates on Highmark’s online platform. Fundraise for Your Early Learning Program The owners or directors of early learning programs who meet the eligibility standards can work with Trying Together to raise funds through the Highmark Walk. Early learning programs can create walk teams on behalf of their organizations. A total of 75 percent of all funds raised by early learning teams will be donated back to their programs. Those interested in starting a team with Trying Together can do so on its registration page. Once there, select “Click Here to Form a Team,” enter the name of your organization as the team name when prompted, and complete the registration form. Donations Trying Together will accept donations via the online donation platform or mail. To submit a check or cash donation, complete the Walker Donation Form and mail it, along with your donation, to Trying Together at: Trying Together c/o Kerry Chapman 5604 Solway Street Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Donations must be submitted by June 30, 2025. All registered walkers who raise or donate $30 or more will receive a Highmark Walk T-shirt while supplies last. For more information, contact Kerry Chapman, Assistant Director of Development, at kerry@tryingtogether.org, visit Highmark’s FAQ page, or check out this flyer. For information on sponsorship opportunities, check out this flyer.
February 12, 2025 Free Training Available: Strengthening Business Practices for Child Care Programs The National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assistance is collaborating with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to offer Strengthening Business Practices for Child Care Programs from February through April. Learn More The content and activities in the four offered modules are designed to strengthen child care providers’ foundational knowledge of sound fiscal management and business operations. The four modules of business practices content in the series include: Budgets, Projections, and Planning Financial Reports and Internal Controls Marketing for Child Care Programs Staff Recruitment and Retention for Center-Based Child Care Programs There are two versions of the series – one for center-based providers and another for family child care providers. More information on the course can be found in this flier. Business Practices for Child Care Programs Topics During the fiscal management portion of the series – which focuses on budgets, projections, and planning – attendees will: Learn a process for building a budget and how to use it for decision-making throughout the year Understand how to project business costs, generate additional income, and plan strategically for future goals On the topics of financial reports and internal controls, the series will teach attendees how to: Introduce financial reports that can help to better manage a program’s finances Understand the concept of internal controls and how they can strengthen a program’s fiscal health For the child care program marketing section of the series, attendees will learn to: Be able to articulate the features and benefits of the program and understand how to use them as marketing tools Appreciate how data can inform marketing efforts to achieve greater success, become more cost-effective, and use time more efficiently On the topics of staff recruitment and retention, participants will learn best practices related to recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new employees. It will also cover: Having a framework for building and effective orientation plan for new employees and being familiar with the components of a staff handbook Identifying strategies for providing feedback to employees Modules PQAS hours are available for those taking the course. Courses are offered in English and Spanish. Center-based modules include: Budgets, Projections, and Planning; Saturday, February 22 from 9 a.m. t0 11 a.m.; Wednesday, March 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. Financial Reports and Internal Controls; Saturday, March 1 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Wednesday, March 26 from 10 a.m. to noon Marketing Your Program; Saturday, February 8 from 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Recruiting and Retaining Staff; Saturday, February 15 from 9 a.m. to noon.; Wednesday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Family-based modules include: Budgets, Projections, and Planning; Tuesday, April 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Financial Reports and Internal Controls; Tuesday, May 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Marketing Your Program; Tuesday, May 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information on the individual modules, check out this flier.
CDA Renewal Amnesty Program Returns for Limited Time To mark the 50th anniversary of the CDA, the Council for Professional Recognition is offering a limited-time CDA Renewal Amnesty Program. Learn More The program provides an opportunity for anyone with a CDA expiration date as far back as January 1, 2020 to complete the renewal process and make their credential active again. To be eligible, those renewing must: Have an expiration dating as far back as January 1, 2020 Meet all current renewal requirements Apply online using Your Council The program is available from February 1 to July 31. All applications and payments of $125 must be submitted online by July 31. No exceptions or extensions will be granted. Those intending to renew can begin preparing by downloading the free CDA Renewal Procedures Guide. The guide provides information about renewal requirements. For more information, visit the Council for Professional Recognition’s website.
PA Promise for Children Releases February Books for Preschoolers List PA Promise for Children has released its list of February Books for Preschoolers that features selections in four different categories. Learn More The book selections are broken down into four categories: Language and Literacy Skills, Social and Emotional Development, Social Studies Thinking, and Mathematical Thinking and Expression. The selections for February included: Language and Literacy Skills I Like Myself! (Karen Beaumont) Lola Loves Stories (Anna McQuinn) Social and Emotional Development When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry (Molly Bang) Grumpy Monkey (Suzanne Lang) Social Studies Thinking Telephone (Mac Barnett) Nana in the City (Lauren Castillo) Mathematical Thinking and Expression Each Orange Had 8 Slices (Paul Giganti, Jr.) One Leaf, Two Leaves, Count With Me! (John Micklos, Jr.) The full list is available in PA Promise for Children’s Kindergarten Here I Come newsletter.
February 11, 2025 Spots Available for Free Early Education Programs in Allegheny County Parents have the opportunity to enroll their children in free early education programs in Allegheny County. Head Start and Pre-K Counts Families who reside in Allegheny County and meet program guidelines can enroll their children in Head Start and Pre-K Counts programs. The programs provide preschool children, ages three to five, with quality, flexible programming that is designed to reinforce and respond to the strengths and needs of each individual child. Early Head Start services are available to pregnant women and families with children from birth to age three. There are available spots for three- to four-year-old children at the following locations: Bethel Park – George Washington Elementary, 515 Clifton Road, Bethel Park, 15102 Duquesne – Duquesne School, 300 Kennedy Avenue, Duquesne, PA 15110 South Allegheny – South Allegheny Elementary School, 1707 Washington Boulevard, Port Vue, PA 15133 To enroll, call Jeanette Casciato at 412-394-4594. For more information, check out this flier. Pittsburgh Public Schools Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Early Childhood Program offers extended-day – and, in some cases, extended year – programming in community early childhood programs. The programs are similar to school-based early childhood classroom models. There are openings in the following locations: Arsenal (Lawrenceville) Chartiers (West End) Conroy (North Side) Crescent (Homewood) Langley (West End) Linden (Point Breeze) Miller (Hill District) Minadeo (Sq. Hill) Pittsburgh Classical Academy (West End) Peabody/Obama (East Liberty) Spring Garden (North Side) Weil (Hill District) Students who attend the programs receive individualized attention, social-emotional learning, and a free breakfast and lunch. Parents can also receive individualized support as well as opportunities to participate in a variety of training and become involved in the school community and Policy Council. For more information, contact the Early Childhood Department at 412-529-4291. For more information, check out this flier.
Just Harvest Helps with SNAP, Tax Prep, and Other Services Just Harvest helps those struggling with food security in Allegheny County as well as other free services. The organization aims to reduce hunger by boosting income and access to healthy food. Services Just Harvest offers a variety of services, including: SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a public benefit that can supplement a food budget. Just Harvest helps eligible families to apply for these benefits. Benefits case advocacy: Just Harvest helps those having trouble applying for or receiving food stamps, LIHEAP, or cash assistance (TANF) through the state’s Department of Human Services. Tax help: Just Harvest provides free IRS-certified tax preparation assistance to low-income families in Allegheny County. Fresh access: Just Harvest operates a kiosk at 20 area farmers markets and farm stands in the Pittsburgh area from May to November. Customers can shop with food stamps using their ACCESS/EBT card to purchase fresh produce, baked goods, meat, and dairy products. Fresh Corners: This healthy corner store initiative partners with local store owners in parts of Allegheny County that lack supermarkets. It provides affordable access to fresh, nutritious foods. More information on the services that Just Harvest provides can be found on this flier. For information on 2025 SNAP discounts, view this flier. And for general 2025 SNAP information, check out this flier.
