February 26, 2020 Making the Census Count for All PA Kids | Webinar Did you know there is an official 2020 Census song? Or that Sesame Street’s Count von Count is sharing the message about the importance of responding to the Census? Do you know how much federal funding Pennsylvania missed over the past 10 years because of undercounting in the last Census? Join the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) for their webinar on March 11 to learn about all of these topics and more! About The federal government uses census data to help allocate over $800 billion a year in federal funds to key programs that serve children and families. When we miss young children in the census, our communities miss out on funding for public programs for much of their childhood. During this webinar, you will learn more about what you can do to encourage families in your early learning program to participate in the 2020 Census. Registration Registrations must be submitted by noon on March 10, 2020. To register, please visit the event webpage. More Information For questions, contact Maureen Murphy at 717.657.9000, extension 107. *Information provided by PACCA
February 7, 2020 2020-21 Pennsylvania Budget Proposal Response On February 5, during his 2020-2021 budget proposal address, Governor Tom Wolf dared us to imagine a Pennsylvania where no one is denied the chance to work because they can’t find child care. A Pennsylvania where high-quality child care is accessible and affordable. A Pennsylvania where child care rates are stabilized and child care providers are incentivized. Trying Together belives in that dream, but the budget proposal itself offers no new state investments to make these dreams a reality. About While the 2020-21 budget proposal offered increased state investments in early childhood programs like pre-k and home-visiting, it’s missing state investments for something that affects the lives of every parent and caregiver in Pennsylvania: child care. Early Learning PA highlights this issue in their recent press release, stating, “Given that 70 percent of Pennsylvania children under the age of five have all adults in their household in the labor force, high-quality child care is an essential workforce support.” However, due to high prices and limited child care slots, many families across the Commonwealth are not able to afford or access high-quality child care programs. Early Learning PA continues on, stating, “Although the Governor’s budget proposal utilizes $15.3 million in federal funding toward child care subsidy base rates, this proposal will have no impact in addressing the list of children waiting to gain access to subsidized care or improve the quality of that care.” This, in turn, affects each caregiver’s ability to enter, re-enter, or remain in the workforce and the long-term academic, career, and health outcomes of young children. In Pennsylvania, 73 percent of eligible children under the age of five are not receiving high-quality child care services. Interestingly, the lack of state investment is also a lack of response to the Governor’s own Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center report, just released last week identifying barriers to employment and providing recommendations for action by the governor, Pennsylvania General Assembly, and private sector. In the report, increasing access to affordable high-quality child care was a top priority for all three. Take Action The lack of state investments in child care isn’t only something worth talking about, it’s also an issue that worthy of advocacy. Join us as an advocate by sending a message urging the General Assembly to demonstrate their commitment to Pennsylvania’s youngest children, their families, and our economy by increasing state funding for high-quality child care! Our senators and representatives will need to hear from us through budget negotiations, and our message starts now. Join us if you believe that all children in Pennsylvania deserve to start strong!
February 4, 2020 2020 Census | Count All Kids to Reinforce Early Education Did you know that in 2010, five percent of children under the age of five weren’t counted in the 2010 Census? That’s roughly one million young children, the highest of any age group. To ensure all young children have access to high-quality, affordable early learning experiences, we must #CountAllKids in the upcoming 2020 Census. About The United States Census informs funding decisions for critical services and infrastructure in our communities, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Toddlers (WIC); and the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to name a few. However, in the 2010 U.S. Census, there was an undercount of 25,197 children in Pennsylvania, resulting in the loss of nearly $44 million in federal funding. That’s roughly $1,746 lost for every child who wasn’t counted. Undercounts like this negatively impact Pennsylvania’s children and families, as social service programs are unable to provide services to all eligible families due to limited funding. Why It Matters In their report “The Road to Success Includes High-Quality Pre-K,” Pre-K for PA states that “high-quality, publicly funded pre-k programs prepare students for kindergarten and beyond by supporting the development of the whole child.” When a child is 3- or 4-years-old, they’re developing critical skills like problem-solving, emotional self-regulation, collaboration, and more. These social-emotional skills are what the Harvard Education Magazine calls an “on-ramp” to later academic success. In fact, Pre-K for PA states that “studies of children who were enrolled in high-quality social-emotional learning programs have shown that ‘[enrolled children] score, on average, 11 percentage points higher on academic tests than children who do not receive such instruction.'” However, due to limited funding, “in nearly two out of three state Senate districts, less than half of eligible preschoolers attend a high-quality pre-k program. In half of the state House districts, less than 40 percent of eligible 3- and 4-year-olds are currently attending one.” Limited access to such programs is negatively impacting the lives of young children, as “children from low-income families are a year or more behind their more advantaged peers.” One partial solution to these issues is to ensure that all kids are counted in the upcoming 2020 Census. While an accurate count may not entirely eliminate issues of access, quality, and affordability, it will ensure that Pennsylvania receives federal dollars needed to provide health and social services to eligible families in the Commonwealth. Will you help us raise awareness about the need to #CountAllKids! Click here to view Pre-K for PA’s full report. Available Tools Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children To help increase awareness about the 2020 Census, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children developed a toolkit that features factsheets, posters, social media images, and social media post templates. In addition to the toolkit, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children highlighted a list of resources for advocates, stakeholders, businesses, elected officials, military members, parents, caregivers, families, and people with disabilities. To access the full list, visit the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children website. 2020 Census: Be Counted 2020 Census: Be Counted provides information and resources to Pittsburgh and Allegheny County residents about the upcoming U.S. Census. The website highlights important dates, census submission options, an example of the questionnaire, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and more. For organizations, the website offers a toolkit, email newsletter, mini-grants, and more. Request a Mail-In Ballot Pennsylvania is now offering two options community members can choose from to submit their vote if they are unable to get to the polls on election day, including a mail-in ballot and absentee ballot. Registered voters can submit either ballot via mail or in person at their county election office. To request a mail-in ballot, please complete the online application by clicking here. Both mail-in and absentee voters will receive a ballot in the mail to complete and return to their county election office by 8 p.m. on election day. More Information If you’re interested in learning more about the 2020 Census, read our “Count All Kids in the 2020 Census” news post. The post features additional resources and information about who counts, submitting your data, safety, confidentiality, and more. *Information provided by Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, Pre-K for PA, and the United States Census Bureau
January 29, 2020 Census Mini-Grants Now Available The Pittsburgh Foundation, Allegheny County-City of Pittsburgh Complete Count Committee, and Census 2020 Philanthropic Fund recently partnered together to create a mini-grants program to support census-related activities. Community-based organizations in Allegheny County are eligible to apply for a grant of up to $2,500 to advance the work of the 2020 Census with populations identified to be at risk of an undercount. Eligibility Eligible applicants must be either: an incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating in the City of Pittsburgh and/or Allegheny County; a school or educational institution operating in the City of Pittsburgh and/or Allegheny County; or a municipality in Allegheny County. Community-based organizations that are not schools, municipalities, or incorporated 501(c)(3)s must obtain a fiscal sponsor that is an eligible 501(c)(3) in Allegheny County to apply. For questions on how to obtain a fiscal sponsor, contact Emmie Calland at callande@pghfdn.org. Priorities Proposal submissions should focus on outreach activities to increase participation in the 2020 census and must benefit historically undercounted and hard-to-reach communities in Allegheny County. These populations include: seniors, people of color, foreign-born residents, children ages birth to five, low-income residents, persons experiencing homelessness, persons with disabilities, and persons who do not live in traditional housing. Use of Grant Funds Proposed activities should take place between now and July 31, 2020. Grant activities should focus on increasing census participation among the hard-to-count groups above. Activities could include: alleviating language barriers in promoting census awareness and completion, hosting events that encourage people to answer the census, creating unique materials to encourage census participation for the populations you serve, and purchasing technology to allow people to fill out the census on the spot. How to Apply To apply for a mini-grant, complete the online application. All applications must be submitted no later than February 1, 2020. For technical questions related to the application, contact Jennifer Steinmetz at steinmetzj@pghfdn.org. More Information To learn more about the 2020 Census, visit the Allegheny County-City of Pittsburgh Complete Count Committee website. For questions about the program or content of the grant application, contact Emmie Calland at callande@pghfdn.org. *Information provided by The Pittsburgh Foundation
January 23, 2020 2020 VOICE for Children Awards Celebration To protect the health and safety of their honorees and guests, the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) has decided to host their 2020 VOICE for Children Award Celebration on Friday, November 6 as a virtual event. About PennAEYC recognizes the critical role advocacy plays in high-quality early learning settings and celebrates those who speak on behalf of Pennsylvania’s children. As the voice for early care and learning, community advocates play an important role in assuring all Pennsylvania’s children get the start that they deserve in school and in life. The VOICE for Children Award is the only statewide award in Pennsylvania recognizing the grassroots leaders whose work impacts the quality of care for young children. Now in its 10th year, the VOICE Award celebrates not only individual award recipients, but the early childhood profession. Join PennAEYC in celebrating grassroots advocates and individuals who demonstrate extraordinary commitment and innovation to support high-quality early childhood across Pennsylvania. Registration To register, visit the event webpage. For questions or more information, call 888.272.9267.
January 2, 2020 Trying Together Friendraiser Are you interested in learning more about Trying Together, advocating for early childhood, and expanding your network? Join Executive Director Cara Ciminillo and Trying Together’s Board of Directors on February 27 for our 2020 Friendraiser! The event will feature a brief presentation and networking with early childhood professionals and stakeholders. Click here to learn more about Trying Together’s Board of Directors. Event Details Thursday, February 27, 2020 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Southern Tier 316 N Shore Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Registration Registration is required and must be completed by February 25, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. During registration, if you do not know the email address(es) of your guest(s), please insert your email in the associated field. A copy of the registration receipt will be sent. To register, complete the form below.
October 21, 2019 Count All Kids in the 2020 Census Did you know that in 2010, five percent of children under the age of five weren’t counted in the 2010 Census? That’s roughly one million young children, the highest of any age group. In 2020, it’s important that we count all kids. Why It’s Important The U.S. Census impacts every person’s daily life, acting as a key indicator to inform funding decisions for services and infrastructure in our communities, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the National School Lunch Program, and more. In fact, more than $675 billion in federal funding is directed to states and local communities each year based on census data. However, due to varying fears, questions, and situations, many families and community members may be unsure of when and who to provide data on. To ensure communities receive the funding they need, families and community members across the United States must ensure that every person is accounted for in the 2020 U.S. Census. Who Counts? Everyone living in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) is required by law to be counted in the 2020 Census. View special circumstances here. The person filling out the household form should count all children currently living in that household, including nonrelatives and children with no other place to live, even if the living situation is only temporary on April 1. All newborn babies need to be included in Census data, even if they are still in the hospital on Census Day (April 1). If a child spends equal time at two locations, count where the child spent the day on Census Day (April 1) or coordinate between both parties to identify which person will count the child with their Census data. Do not count the child twice. Submitting Your Data Filling out the Census yourself, on your own schedule, can often be easier than waiting for a Census worker to knock on your door. Consider submitting your data online, via phone, or via mail. Completing it shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes. See what type of questions the Census asks. Non-English speakers can self-respond to the Census. An online form and telephone line will be available in 13 languages, including English. Language guides will be available in 59 languages other than English. If you are a young parent with a young child and are living with a relative or household member, ask them to count you and your young child on their Census information. For families who rent or recently moved, complete your Census information online or via phone. That way, you don’t have to worry about your paperwork getting lost during the move. Safety & Confidentiality All responses submitted to the 2020 Census are safe, secure, and protected by federal law. Submitted answers will only be used to generate statistics and cannot be used against you in any way. All responses submitted to the U.S. Census Bureau household and business surveys are confidential. Even if a child is living in a place they aren’t supposed to be, it’s important to count them during Census data collection. Submitted information cannot be used against you or the child. The Census Bureau will never share information with immigration enforcement agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), law enforcement agencies like the police or Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or allow this information to be used to determine eligibility for government benefits. The Census will never ask you for your Social Security number, your bank or credit account information, money, or anything on behalf of a political party. Be careful of fraud and scams. Resources For more information on the 2020 Census, view the following resources that were provided by the U.S. Census Bureau: Census 101: What You Need to Know Counting Young Children in the 2020 Census Options to Respond to the 2020 Census The 2020 Census and Confidentiality Learn More For questions, visit the FAQ page or call 301.763.4636 or 800.923.8282. For information on services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY number at 800.877.8339 to reach the Federal Relay Service. *Information provided by the U.S. Census Bureau
August 19, 2019 First Up Annual Conference Early childhood professionals are invited to join First Up on March 6, 2020 for their Annual Conference! About First Up’s Annual Conference will feature national and local experts presenting on a range of topics, including managing challenging behaviors, negotiating risky play, practicing mindfulness, and stress management for parents, children, and professionals! Come prepared to enjoy a full day of professional development, networking, and inspiration – all centered around building strong classroom curricula and engaging learning environments for young learners. Space is limited. Registration To register and for information on fees, please visit the First Up website. More Information For more information, including a complete workshop listing, visit the conference website. For questions, contact Rebecca Tyrrell at rebecca.tyrrell@firstup.org.
July 9, 2019 New Clearance Required for Child Care Providers Due to a federal requirement under the reauthorization of the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), child care providers are required to complete a new clearance—the National Crime Information Center/National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR). About The NSOR clearance will verify that a check of the National Sex Offenders Registry was conducted and if the individual can or cannot work for a regulated child care provider. This clearance is required in addition to a Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check for Employment or Volunteers, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Fingerprinting. There is no fee for the NSOR clearance. Requirements The following individuals must complete the NSOR verification certificate by July 1, 2020: any individual 18 years or older residing in the child care facility; all individuals working for Regulated Child Care Providers; any individual with an ownership interest (corporate or non-corporate) in a Regulated Child Care Provider and who participates in the organization and management of the operation. Application Process By late summer/early fall 2019, there will be a paper application process for the NSOR clearance, and in late fall there will be an electronic process in place at keepkidssafe.pa.gov. Learn More For more information on required clearances, visit the Keep Kids Safe website. Share this handout with your network. *Information provided by the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning
