October 14, 2024 Public School Students to Receive Library Card as Part of CardFest The Carnegie Library is hosting a celebration of library cards that is designed specifically for Pittsburgh public school students. Learn More As part of CardFest, all kindergarten through fourth grade public school students this fall will receive an activated Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh library card. With the card, students can utilize the following resources: Books, magazines, movies, and videogames eResources such as digital eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines On-demand tutoring, test prep, and homework help Vetted research resources for reports, projects, and assignments Access to RAD Pass, a source for free and discounted tickets to regional attractions A safe place to hang out, meet people, or attend a library program For more information on CardFest, visit the library’s website.
October 11, 2024 Playful Pittsburgh & Trying Together Launch New Resource Series Playful Pittsburgh, in collaboration with its lead organization, Trying Together, has launched the first part of its Playful Resource Series, a collection of resources designed to educate and advocate for play for all. The resource series will cover topics such as the benefits of play, how people of all ages can better incorporate play into daily life, advocating for equity in play, and more. Modeled after Trying Together’s 12-part Developmentally Appropriate Parenting (DAP) Resource Series, the Playful Resource Series includes a digital library of curated resources with printable and interactive tools organized by play type and issues relating to different age groups. The first part of this series focuses on “Play is Learning” and future topics and related resources will be released periodically through 2027 on the Playful Resource Series’ web page. Learn More The first topic covered in the series is “Play is Learning.” In this part, readers can explore resources that feature information on: The benefits and necessity of play for healthy brain development How play supports cognitive development over time How people develop executive functions through play Any questions regarding the series should be emailed to playfulpgh@tryingtogether.org.
October 9, 2024 Webinars to Explore Practices for Supporting Social Emotional Development in Children The Early Intervention Technical Assistance Portal (EITA PA) will host upcoming webinars on classroom practices to support social emotional development. Learn More Big Five Classroom Practices to Support Social Emotional Development is a series of five webinars that will run from October to December. The webinars delve into the essential practices of fostering positive behavior and preventing challenging behavior in early childhood classrooms and at home. Each session will offer evidence-based strategies and practical tools that are tailored for early intervention staff to support early childhood educators and families in implementing the practices. Early intervention professionals will be able to enhance their collaborative efforts with early childhood partners and families. The webinars are aimed at promoting a nurturing and conducive learning environment for children. More Details The sessions are designed for infant, toddler, and preschool early intervention providers, home visitors, and early childhood classroom staff. The sessions include: Oct. 11: 5 to 1 Ratio of Positive Attention Oct. 25: Use of Predictable Schedules Nov. 8: Establish Routines Within Routines Nov. 22: Directly Teach Behavioral Expectations Dec. 6: Directly Teach Peer Related Social Skills Registration is now available on PaTTAN (Act 48) or PD Registry (PQAS). For general information, email Molly Martz at mmartz@pattan.net. For content related information and questions, email Lisa Gragg at lgragg@pattan.net.
ELRC Region 5 Offering Free Developmental Screenings This Fall ELRC Region 5 is offering a series of developmental screenings at no cost to families in October and November. Ages & Stages Developmental Screenings ELRC Region 5 will conduct screenings using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). Families with children ages two months to five years are invited to participate. Screenings will be offered on these dates: Thursday, Oct. 24 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 304 Wood Street, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Friday, Oct. 25 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Hosanna House, 807 Wallace Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 Friday, Nov. 1 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 304 Wood Street, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 More Details The screening can take 40 minutes to an hour and results are immediately provided. If necessary, staff can offer referrals for full evaluations and developmental resources. Call 412-350-3577 or email kris.elrc5@alleghenycounty.us to request an appointment or more information.
October 8, 2024 CDC Recommends Children and Adults Get Vaccinated for Flu Season The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that everyone over the age of 6 years get an updated flu vaccine. Learn More All U.S. flu vaccines for the 2024-25 season are trivalent – which means three component – vaccines that prevent against three influenza viruses: A(H1N1) virus A(H3N2) virus B/Victoria virus The CD also recommends that everyone, ages 6 and above, get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine helps to protect against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. The FDA recently approved and authorized the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine. Every U.S. household is now eligible to order four free at-home tests.
Winter Coats Available for Pennsylvania Children Beginning Oct. 7, families may visit Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) 5 to receive winter coats for children. Learn More The coats are available for families while supplies last as part of a partnership between ELRC 5 and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Children and their families can pick up their coats at: The Early Learning Resource Center 304 Wood Street Suite 400 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday. It will be closed on Monday, Oct. 14 for Columbus Day. For more information, call the office at 412-350-3577.
October 7, 2024 PA Department of Health Sends Immunization Survey to Providers With October Deadline The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is sending a survey regarding child care immunization records to all licensed providers. Learn More The annual reporting of immunizations by all licensed child care providers is a state requirement. In recent years, the requirement was met by the DOH and County Municipal Health Department (CMHD) staff visiting a random sample of providers to review and document the status of immunization records. However, this method did not give the DOH a complete picture of the immunization status of child care providers statewide or identify areas of the state that could benefit from additional education or vaccination services. As a result, the process to meet state reporting requirements has changed this year and involves two processes that have or will take place: The DOH and CMHD staff visited a random sample of providers over the summer but only to educate, provide resource materials, and help providers read and understand vaccination records A new Child Care Reporting survey is now required. It needs to be completed by all licensed child care providers even if they received a visit by a DOH or CMHD staff member this summer. The survey will be used to assist the DOH in identifying areas of the state that may require additional education and outreach services regarding immunizations and vaccine availability. Once a provider submits the survey, a copy of responses will be emailed to the address listed on the survey. The survey must be completed by no later than Thursday, Oct. 31.
Report Finds That PA Early Learning Shortage Poses Risk to Economy A report from Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children notes that the state faces an historic early learning workforce shortage. Learn More A coordinated early care and education system ensures that infants, toddlers, and preschoolers succeed in school and allows parents to work while knowing their children are safe and learning in high-quality care. But Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children’s 2024 State of Early Care and Education report found that this coordinated system that is vital to the economy could be threatened by the early learning workforce shortage. The report uses data and research to show that without new investments in the child care workforce, Pre-K Counts, or the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program, early learning providers will continue to lose teachers and close classrooms. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children worked with Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates that includes Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA, on the report. Inadequate Funding The report shows that inadequate funding for the early care and education system has led to supply-side issues affecting families’ abilities to find affordable, high-quality care. It has also impacted providers’ abilities to be compensated fairly to pay teachers and maintain business expenses. Without direct investment in the child care sector’s workforce, the crisis will continue, likely resulting in more classroom closures and more working parents struggling to find care for their children, the report noted. The report recommends implementing and funding a recruitment and retention model to increase the child care workforce and ensure that providers have the staff needed to operate at full capacity. It also suggests increasing state investments in the Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance programs as well as developing and funding a pay parity policy for pre-K teachers that reflects wages provided to teachers in the K-12 system. Other Findings Other findings in the report include: Only 46% of eligible 3- and 4-year-olds participate in high-quality, publicly funded pre-K, leaving more than 78,000 without access to a high-quality program. Unlivable wages of less than $15.15 per hour are causing an historic workforce shortage, closing classrooms and driving up waitlists for working parents. Child care providers can’t raise teacher wages because families are already struggling to afford care costs. On average, costs for infant child care comprise about 17% of the Pennsylvania median family income. Only 25% of eligible children under age three are served by Child Care Works, leaving more than 73,000 eligible infants and toddlers unserved. The full report is available on Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children’s website.
October 3, 2024 New Civil Rights Compliance Form Required for Submitting Licensing Applications and Renewals Certified child care providers must use a new Civil Rights Compliance form when submitting a new licensing application, according to Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Learn More Prospective child care providers seeking a new license will utilize the Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) form (HS 2126 9/24). The prior form (HS 2126 8/22) is now obsolete and will be returned to providers if submitted on Oct. 1 or later. The new CRC form must be included in packets submitted as part of any new license request. For licensing renewals, a licensee must also now submit the new CRC Renewal form. The prior attestation form (HS 2125 8/22) is obsolete as of Oct. 1. The new CRC form must be submitted as part of a renewal application. The renewal notice will still be sent out 130 days prior to expiration. Visit the Pennsylvania Key’s website for more details or to access the form.
October 2, 2024 Mandated Reporter Training Offered for Free Through iLookOut Penn State College of Medicine is inviting teachers and other child care staff to complete their mandated reporter training for free through iLookOut. Learn More The mandated reporter training requirements can be completed at no cost through iLookOut’s online, interactive, and story-based training. It can be completed over multiple sessions on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The training includes two parts: Mandated Reporter Training: a three-hour, interactive video-based storyline Advanced Training: a three-hour series of five- to 12-minute animated micro-learning exercises Training Benefits Those complete the trainings will be able to: Satisfy Act 31 mandated reporter training requirements and Act 126 requirements for Pennsylvania teachers Receive six hours of early childhood professional development credit from the PA Key Learn how to better support at-risk children and their families Help to determine the most effective way to prepare mandated reporters Receive a $15 gift card for completing both trainings and a follow-up quiz The training sessions can be completed on iLookOut’s website.
