News Archives

News

April 21, 2026

Child Mind Institute Provides Resources for Children with Autism and ADHD

Recently, the term auDHD has been coined to describe people who have both autism and ADHD, a combination that is common, according to The Child Mind Institute.

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While auDHD is not an official diagnosis, it is meant to draw attention to the effect of having both disorders because some symptoms overlap in challenging ways.

Both ADHD and autism can result in children having trouble paying attention to things they don’t find interesting, struggling in social situations, and being prone to emotional outbursts. Occasionally, having both disorders can compound the issues, while at other times children might feel as if they are being pulled in two different directions.

The Child Mind Institute has provided resources for caregivers of children who have both disorders. One article on auDHD explores the experiences of children with dual diagnoses and how treatment is affected by them. Another explains what a careful evaluation for autism should look like and how noticing ADHD first can delay an autism diagnosis.

The institute examines the challenges that can arise for autistic children during puberty in one article, while another focuses on the case for making a separate diagnosis for profound autism. There are also resources on how children who are not hyperactive might still have ADHD and on neurodiversity, which discusses how children with autism, ADHD, or auDHD each have strengths as well as challenges.

Below are The Child Mind Institute’s resources.

News

April 20, 2026

The Buzzword is PARADE

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 PARADE, which means to walk or march to celebrate something. Buzzword’s PARADE 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 Prince Sacha’s Fierce, Fabulous, Fancy Day by Jon Lau 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 PARADE book list of recommendations from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for further reading.

More Information

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.

News

Resources for Celebrating National Home Visiting Week from April 20 to 24

The Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals has provided resources to celebrate and recognize home visitors and the impact they make on maternal and child health during the second annual observance of National Home Visiting Week.

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The institute – an organization focused on strengthening home visiting and human service programs across the country – launched National Home Visiting Week in 2025. This year, the celebration runs from Monday, April 20 to Friday, April 24.

The week honors home visiting professionals and raises awareness about the field as well as highlights the impact on family well-being, trust, and child development.

To celebrate the week, the institute has provided a variety of resources, including:

The institute’s toolkit provides resources for messaging tips, templated materials, and promoted assets.

More resources on how to celebrate National Home Visiting Week can be found on the Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals’ website.

News

April 17, 2026

City Recreation Centers Will Offer Programming for Children During NFL Draft

Pittsburgh’s Department of Parks and Recreation will host a series of fun, engaging programs for youth and families at City Recreation Centers next week as the city hosts the NFL Draft.

The center will offer extended hours and Draft parties at two of its centers.

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From Wednesday, April 22 through Friday, April 24, all CitiParks recreation centers will open early for youth and remote learning students. Attendees will have access to the internet, supplies, activities, breakfast and lunch during the school day.

The 10 recreation centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on those three days, with the exception of Jefferson Recreation Center, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On April 23 and 24, youth are invited to join the CitiParks Draft Parties from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Ammon Rec Center and Magee Rec Center. The parties will include food and activities, such as:

Thursday: punt, pass, and kick games; flag football; skills challenges; and raffles
Friday: flag clinic with Pittsburgh Flag Football League

The draft parties will culminate with flag football games on Saturday, April 25 from noon to 3 p.m. at Ammon Rec Center and Magee Rec Center. Registration is not required.

The city’s recreation centers include:

Ammon Recreation Center (2217 Bedford Avenue)
Arlington Recreation Center (2201 Salisbury Street)
Brookline Recreation Center (1400 Oakridge Street)
Jefferson Recreation Center (605 Redknap Street)
Magee Recreation Center (745 Greenfield Avenue)
Moore Park Building (1801 Pioneer Avenue)
Ormsby Recreation Center (79 S. 22nd Street)
Paulson Recreation Center (1201 Paulson Avenue)
Phillips Recreation Center (201 Parkfield Street)
Warrington Recreation Center (329 E. Warrington Avenue)
West Penn Recreation Center (450 30th Street)

News

April 15, 2026

State Offering Free Water Sampling Program for Child Care Facilities

The Shapiro Administration is launching a free water sampling program for eligible schools and child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water.

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The initiative – through the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) – is funded by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act’s Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program.

The program – which is in partnership with Terraphase Engineering – offers no-cost water testing and, for those with elevated lead levels, grant funding to support lead-reduction activities, such as installing hydration stations.

Eligible applicants could receive up to $3,000 per installed hydration station. The program’s aim is to protect children’s health and make sure they’re drinking safe water.

Schools and child care centers that meet the criteria are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted online through the state’s electronic application. Enrollment is open and will remain so until funds are exhausted.

More information can be found on the DEP’s website.

News

April 14, 2026

TEACH Scholarship Application Available for Fall Semester

Early childhood educators who want to advance their education while continuing to work can now apply for the TEACH scholarship for the fall.

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The scholarship is aimed at supporting both staff retention and program quality by enabling working educators to advance their education.

Those interested in receiving a scholarship for the fall semester, which begins in mid- to late August, should apply by Friday, July 11.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but priority consideration is given to complete applications that are submitted by the deadline. Late or incomplete applications may experience processing delays.

TEACH is supported by the state’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and the state’s Department of Education. The licensed program is administered by the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA).

For information on eligibility, program requirements, how to apply, and how to download an application can be found on PACCA’s website.

News

Pitt Launches Online Graduate Certificate in Infant Mental Health

The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education has launched a new fully online graduate Certificate in Infant Mental Health.

The certificate, which is designed for working professionals, is aimed at addressing a nationwide shortage of trained infant and early childhood mental health professionals.

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Nearly 50,000 infants and toddlers were served through early intervention in Pennsylvania between 2022 and 2023, but a 2025 analysis by Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children found that mental health and behavioral services remain a significantly underutilized component of that care. This gap was described as “concerning considering the growing emphasis on mental health.”

Addressing the shortage requires a trained workforce that is equipped with specialized knowledge and skills to support the social-emotional well-being of young children and their families, the University of Pittsburgh noted. The state’s early intervention and home-visiting programs are seeking practitioners trained in relation-ship based, attachment-focused approaches to supporting infants, toddlers, and their families.

“Our new online certificate in infant mental health equips Pennsylvania’s early childhood workforce with accessible training that integrates both cutting-edge research and best practices to strengthen families and their communities,” said Eboni M. Zamani-Gallaher, the Renee and Richard Goldman dean of Pitt’s School of Education. “Drawing on our faculty’s deep expertise and our long-standing commitment to early childhood education, we are addressing a growing statewide need and enhancing outcomes for all children through evidence-based research and practical application.”

The Infant Mental Health certificate is a fully online, graduate-level credential. Online programs at the university are developed and supported by the University Center for Excellence in Digital Education, which partners with Pitt schools and units to ensure that online students receive the same high-quality academic experience as those on campus.

The certificate’s curriculum is aligned with the learning domains required for endorsement through the Pennsylvania Association for Infant Mental Health and the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health.

Tuition for the certificate is $750 for credit hour. More information on the certificate is available on the University of Pittsburgh’s website.

News

April 13, 2026

Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Executive Function Issues in Children

Executive functions are mental skills such as organization, problem-solving, and planning that we use daily.

However, some children struggle with them, which can result in their having trouble keeping track of their schoolwork or items (such as bags or jackets), remembering assignments, or following directions.

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In a series of new resources, the Child Mind Institute notes that it is important to investigate the root cause of why some children can become distracted or disorganized.

Executive function issues are most common in children with ADHD, the Child Mind Institute notes, but children without that diagnosis can have them as well.

The institute offers support for children who struggle with staying organized in school and those who need help with working memory – or, keeping track of the information they need to finish a project or solve problems.

The institute’s resources explore whether a child’s disorganized behavior could indicate other underlying issues, such as anxiety, depression, or a learning disorder.

Strategies for staying organized can’t address an undiagnosed learning disorder or help children who have experienced trauma. These children may appear forgetful or distracted, but may need different types of support, such as a neuropsychological examination.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources include:

News

Thriving Kids Episode Focuses on Building Stronger Relationships with Children

To build a stronger relationship with a child, caregivers should slow down and reflect on their own history and motivations as a caregiver.

The latest Thriving Kids podcast episode suggests that doing so can often yield better results than giving in to the temptation of jumping straight into skills and communication strategies.

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In the latest Thriving Kids, Dave Anderson, PhD, senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement and education at the Child Mind Institute, discussed the topic of building stronger bonds with children with Ruben Parra-Cardona, PhD, a family therapist and the Roger and Carol Nooe-endowed chair and professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee.

The discussion focuses on the ethics of raising another person, why encouragement can be harder to give than one might think, and how the process of learning to parent differently can also be a process of personal healing. Another topic is the balance of nurturing a child and holding them accountable.

Some of Thriving Kids’ tips for building a stronger relationship between caregivers and children include:

Be a good listener; often, children just want a caregiver who will give them undivided attention.
Make family time fun and make activities such as game nights, movies, or other activities routine.
Talk openly and honestly, but also set boundaries, so that children will feel safe and supported, all the while learning how to make responsible choices.
Respectfully agree to disagree. Acknowledge a child’s thoughts and feelings, even when you don’t agree. Showing respect for their opinions helps to build trust.

The Thriving Kids episode is available on the Child Mind Institute’s website.

News

April 10, 2026

Christian Kuntz Foundation Provides $10K Scholarship to Jeremiah’s Place

The Kuntz 4 Ki6s Foundation provided a $10,000 scholarship on Friday to the bridge scholarship program for Jeremiah’s Place, a 24-7 crisis center for single mothers, and Trying Together.

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The foundation – which is operated by Steeler Christian Kuntz and his wife, Heather – promotes youth leadership and engagement, fosters mentoring relationships, and supports underserved communities. It also provides holiday joy to single mothers and their children.

While providing a check for the scholarship on Friday, Christian Kuntz told the Big News Network that he had a soft spot for Jeremiah’s Place, which is the city’s only 24-hour crisis nursery that provides emergency child care for families in need.

“We got linked with them a couple years ago through the Steelers for our nonprofit and we’re providing a scholarship of $10,000 that will act as a bridge for the moms to be able to go on job interviews and pursue opportunities that they wouldn’t be able to pursue because of their situation,” Kuntz said.

Kuntz, who grew up with a single mother, added that the scholarship would help about 50 mothers and children.

“With these bridge scholarships from the Kuntz 4 Ki6s Foundation, we hope they are just the kick-off to working together to support more young children and their families,” said Maria Pisano, Trying Together’s director of community relations. “As the lead organization for the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center on Kelly Street, we know first-hand the positive difference that wrap-around supports make for families. As an early childhood advocacy organization, we also work daily to increase access to high-quality child care in our region and statewide.”

The bridge scholarship will be administered based on individual family needs to provide:

Immediate access to safe care
Gap funding for child care coverage
Wraparound stabilization support

“Access to high-quality child care is an ongoing constraint to the stability of families,” said Cara Ciminillo, Trying Together’s executive director. “While public subsidies exist, the process to apply, be approved, and find child care can be lengthy. In the meantime, caregivers often must pause their careers, resulting in delayed or missed job opportunities that contribute to financial instability, and inconsistent care and education arrangements that do not best support their children’s healthy development.”

To learn more, read the Big News Network’s full story.