January 17, 2024 Buzzword Day at the Theater The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Education department is inviting families to a free performance of “Rainbow Fish.” Families can request up to four free tickets to the show, which will be held on Saturday, February 24 at 2 p.m. at the Byham Theater. Transportation to the theater will be provided for those that need it. Board the bus at either the Greater Hazelwood Family Center (5006 Second Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15207) or the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center (7219 Kelly St, Pittsburgh, PA 15208). Sign up online, or call 412-456-2695 to request tickets. The last day to register is Friday, February 3, at 5 p.m.
January 15, 2024 PA Expands Child Care Tax Credit An expansion of Pennsylvania’s child care tax credit will increase the amount families with children in child care can receive. The expansion allows individuals to claim 100% of the federal child care tax credit they claimed. About the Child Care Tax Credit The Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit that is available to Pennsylvanians at the state level is based on the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. Taxpayers must receive the federal credit to also be eligible for the state credit in Pennsylvania. The major expansion signed into law by PA Governor Josh Shapiro means: The maximum credit will be $1,050 (one child) or $2,100 (two or more children). The credit cap phases down as income levels increase. Prior to the expansion, the maximum credit Pennsylvania families could receive was up to $315 (one child) or $630 (two or more children). Under the new law, Pennsylvanians could see up to a 233% increase in their tax credit from last year. For more information about the Childcare and Dependent Care Tax Credit, visit pa.gov/childcaretaxcredit. Child Care Crisis Continues The current child care crisis in Pennsylvania is a result of supply-side challenges resulting from an underpaid child care workforce leaving the field for higher-paying jobs (average child care teacher wage in PA is less than $12.50/hr.). Without addressing supply-side solutions, such as teacher wages, programs will continue to have closed classrooms and growing wait lists. While the expansion of the child care tax credit is a solution for making child care more affordable for families, this investment, along with the other early childhood investments in the budget don’t solve the root cause of the child care crisis or do anything to increase access. The tax credit – considered a demand-side solution – helps families with affording child care; however, it does not address supply-side issues such as closed classrooms and long waiting lists due to workforce shortages. Tax credits will not help families access child care if they remain on wait lists because there are not enough teachers to serve their children. Sign on to Trying Together’s public policy alerts to advocate on behalf of young children, their families, and the early care and education professionals who interact with them.
January 10, 2024 Allegheny County Child Care Matters Program Receives $500,000 Investment Allegheny County will allot $500,000 in additional funding to make child care more affordable for lower-income families, Allegheny County Executive Sarah Innamorato announced on January 10, 2024. About Allegheny Child Care Matters The investment, paid for using available American Rescue Plan funds, will go toward Allegheny Child Care Matters, a county-level pilot program for working families. The program is focused on supporting children’s equitable access to stable, quality child care while allowing working families to maintain or increase their participation in the workforce. Families that meet the Child Care Works (CCW) subsidy eligibility requirements for work or education hours but earn more than the 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (the CCW maximum), while still being under 300%, can participate. The Allegheny County Department of Children’s Initiatives (DCI), in partnership with the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5, launched the pilot program in April 2022. The $500,000 in county funding will clear the program’s current waitlist of 28 families and open up some additional slots. Since its inception, the Allegheny Child Care Matters program has helped 357 families attend local early learning programs. DCI estimates that up 15,000 children in Allegheny County could qualify for the program, according to a press release issued by Innamorato’s office. Families with questions about the program can call the ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 or 1.888.340.3572. More Coverage Innamorato to provide $500k in subsidies to make child care more accessible in Allegheny County, WESA Innamorato announces $500K for child care facilities throughout Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Text to Speak Up! for Early Learning in 2024 The Start Strong PA campaign has launched a Texting Tuesday campaign this month encouraging supporters to text Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and ask him to prioritize early learning in the state budget. About the Texting Campaign Last year, Gov. Shapiro set up a phone number for Pennsylvanians to reach out and share their priorities with him. In February, he will propose his budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. Families and early childhood education professionals are encouraged to text and advocate for greater investments in the upcoming fiscal year. Example texts: Child care/pre-k directors and owners I own/direct a child care/pre-k program and can’t recruit or retain staff. We need more state funding to solve this crisis. Child care programs and classrooms are closing and need more state funding to stay open. Child care/pre-k teachers My job as a child care/pre-k teacher allows others to work – but I shouldn’t have to work 3 jobs to support my own family. We need more state funding to solve this crisis. Child care programs and classrooms are closing and need more state funding to stay open. Parents with children in child care/pre-k High-quality child care and pre-k teachers are impossible to recruit and retain because programs can’t pay them enough. We need more funding to keep high-quality teachers for our children. I rely on child care to go to work and support my family, but my program is struggling to find staff to stay open. Pennsylvania must fund child care so families can work. Pennsylvanians can text Gov. Shapiro at 717-788-8990 over the next few weeks.
Reading Ready Pittsburgh to Open Free Children’s Bookstore in February Reading Ready Pittsburgh will open a free bookstore for children, their families, and early childhood educators on February 1, 2024. About B is for Books Children and families can visit the new B is for Books bookstore to read books together onsite and pick three books to take home and keep. This bookstore will also serve as a resource for early childhood educators. Educators can meet with a librarian to choose and request books for their classroom. The service currently offers a variety of new and gently used books for children from birth to second grade. B is for Books is located at 222 East 8th Avenue, Homestead, PA 15120. There will be a family open house event on Saturday, February 17, from noon to 3 p.m. Reading Ready Pittsburgh is a non-profit organization supporting the healthy development of young children by increasing access to books and by encouraging significant family engagement through reading. For details about the new bookstore, visit the Reading Ready Pittsburgh website.
Registration Open for OCDEL’s Early Childhood Conference on Trauma Sensitive Approaches to Support Children Registration is now open for the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Early Childhood Education Conference, Stable and Secure: Supporting Children Through Trauma Sensitive Approaches. About the Early Education Conference This two-day conference is scheduled for March 25-26, 2024, at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA and is free for attendees. The conference focuses on deepening the understanding of child and adult well-being through trauma-sensitive approaches. This unique gathering brings together experts, practitioners, and educators, committed to creating stable and secure environments for young children, their families, and the adults who serve them. Attendees will have access to trauma-informed care sessions; wellbeing workshops; social and emotional supports; and networking opportunities. Registration All directors and teachers of Pennsylvanian licensed child care centers, group child care, family child care homes, and after school care are invited. Registration is limited to two staff per program and to 500 attendees total. Conference details and registration are available on the PA Keys website.
January 9, 2024 Feedback Forums Scheduled For 2024 – 2029 Pennsylvania Housing Strategy The Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking input while it continues its development of the 2024 – 2029 Housing Strategy. (This article was updated on January 9, 2024 with dates for scheduled feedback forums). Learn More The DHS’s current housing strategy work builds on the foundation provided by 2016-2020 Supporting Pennsylvanians Through Housing Plans and its 2018 Update. The updated Housing Strategy, which will be released in the spring of 2024, will address Pennsylvanians’ evolving housing needs by understanding the state’s current housing context. Some priority areas include: Supportive Housing Homelessness & Housing Stability Housing Services & Supports Housing Affordability Housing Supply & Accessibility The Housing Strategy team will be facilitating three public virtual one-hour feedback forums in January 2024. Wednesday, January 10 at 12 p.m. | Register Monday, January 22 at 3 p.m. | Register Wednesday, January 24 at 6 p.m. | Register Pennsylvanians are also encouraged to complete the interest survey, to follow the project and learn about engagement opportunities.
January 4, 2024 Resources for January Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for January observances: Month-Long Observances International Creativity Month Art Activities that Encourage Social-Emotional Development, Trying Together Supporting Social-Emotional Development Through Play: A Guide for Families, Trying Together How Bluey Showcases Play, Creativity, and Emotional Learning for Children…and Adults, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative The Relationship Between Learning through Play and Holistic Skills, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative “Sound” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh National Mentoring Month Impact of Mentoring on Youth: Why Every Kid Needs a Mentor, Boys & Girls Club of America Professional Development: Coaching & Mentoring, Trying Together Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Trying Together National Hobby Month 5 Reasons Why You Should Revisit Your Childhood Hobby As An Adult, Fortune Well 5 Advantages That Hobbies Bring To A Child’s Development, City Magazine Ways to Play During Winter, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative The Transformative Power of Games, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Self-Love Month Register for UnConference: Mental Health in Early Childhood Education, Trying Together Self-Care Resources for Parents and Caregivers, Trying Together Navigating Difficult Emotions as Caregivers: A Guide for Families, Trying Together 50 Resources to Support the Mental Health of Teachers and School Staff, Teach.com, Trying Together Week-Long Observances National Storytelling Week Supporting Early Literacy Development, Buzzword Pittsburgh Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together Story Time At The Hub! Trying Together Day Observances January 2 is Motivation and Inspiration Day “Brave” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh Encouraging Positive Racial Identity in Young Children, Trying Together Growing Self-Esteem: Positive Affirmations for Children, Bright Horizons The Cheer, Lindsey Gurk January 3 is International Mind-Body Wellness Day Mindfulness for Children, Trying Together Big Body and Physical Play: Benefits and Activities for all Ages, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Social-Emotional Learning and Play Intersecting, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Using Play to Support Children’s Physical Health, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative The Relationship Between Learning through Play and Holistic Skills, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative January 15 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together Anti-Racism Tools, Trying Together Taking Personal and Professional Responsibility for Anti-Racism Work, Trying Together Martin Luther King Jr. Day for Preschoolers, Kids Care Club January 17 is Kid Inventors’ Day The Impact of Importance of STEM Education: Preparing Future Innovators, Bricks 4 Kidz “Plan” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh “Geometric” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh January 21 is National Hugging Day The Importance Of Hugging Your Child & 7 Amazing Benefits, Parenting For Brain Respecting Your Child’s Boundaries, Trying Together January 24 is International Day of Education Supporting The Work of Early Childhood, Trying Together Early Learning PA, Trying Together A Roadmap to Understanding Child Development, Trying Together Supporting Early Literacy Development, Buzzword Pittsburgh January 24 is National Compliment Day 6 Essential Tips for Raising Complimentary Children, Baby Steps “Thankful” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh “Welcome” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh January 26 is International Environmental Education Day Community and Family Programs, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy “Metamorphosis” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh “Migrate” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh “Bloom” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh January 28 is National Lego Day 10 Incredible Benefits of Playing with Lego®, Children’s Wellness Centre Let’s Talk Loose Parts Play, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative “Plan” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh January 29 is National Puzzle Day 5 ways Puzzles Benefit Your Child’s Cognitive Development, Infinity Math Creations 10 Puzzle Activities For Toddlers, Preschoolers, And Babies That Promote Learning, Speak.Play.Love Indoor Play and Why It’s Fun for Everyone, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative The Transformative Power of Games, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative January 31 is Inspire Your Heart with Art Day Art Activities that Encourage Social-Emotional Development, Trying Together “Sound” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh Benefits of Art & Art History for Early Childhood Learning, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
January 3, 2024 Allegheny County Executive Seeks Resident Input on Priorities and Government Expectations Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato’s Administration is seeking input from residents about their priorities and what they want from county government. All in Allegheny Community Survey All in Allegheny invites people county residents to share their ideas, priorities, and needs with the Innamorato Administration through a survey. The survey gives residents the opportunity to share their thoughts on child care, housing, healthcare, safety, reducing pollution, and other topics. Feedback from the survey will help to inform the county government’s priorities. The survey has been translated into the nine languages most commonly spoken in the county and is available at AlleghenyforAll.com/community-survey. Visit the Allegheny for All website to stay involved, find information about upcoming community conversations about survey results, and share more of your ideas for County government. About All in Allegheny All In Allegheny is a large and inclusive community engagement process that will understand what people from every part of Allegheny want from County government and build an action plan for County government to deliver on community needs during the Innamorato Administration. County Executive Innamorato named nearly 200 esteemed and diverse leaders to nine policy committees that will inform her administration’s governing agenda. Trying Together Executive Director Cara Ciminillo is co-chair of the Robust Education, Workforce Development, and Youth Investments Committee.
Survey: Exploring Suspension and Expulsion in Early Childhood Education Trying Together, the ELRC Region 5’s quality partner, is partnering with Children First and PHMC on a research project aiming to gain insights into the mechanisms behind suspension and expulsion practices in early childhood education settings. Learn More Child care providers and families are invited to actively participate in dialogues, including focus groups and individual interviews, to share stories from their experiences in early childhood education programs. Participation will contribute significantly to a final report analyzing practices that lead to suspension or expulsion. The goal is to formulate policy recommendations that address and mitigate these practices, recognizing the significant role of racism and implicit bias. Child Care Provider Survey Early childhood education providers who support children requiring additional behavioral or early intervention services are invited to take the child care provider survey. Responses will help gain insight into communication practices with families when a child requires services beyond the standard classroom offerings; challenges faced in communicating with families during such circumstances; and interactions between providers and external therapists, as well as one-on-one support providers entering the classroom to assist children. Parent Survey The project aims to gain insights into the reasons behind families leaving early childhood programs. Families who have changed early childhood programs, especially those who may have had to switch more than once, are encouraged to fill out the parent survey. Responses can provide valuable insights into patterns of both voluntary and involuntary departures; the communication strategies utilized between families and early childhood providers before making the decision to change programs; and how these transitions impact the services children can access, including early intervention and behavioral services.
