May 3, 2022 Pre-K Counts and Head Start Enrollment The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is enrolling for Pre-K Counts and Head Start programs, which provide high-quality pre-kindergarten education for children who are three to five years old and not eligible for kindergarten. About Pre-K Counts The Allegheny Intermediate Unit Pre-K Counts Program provides high quality pre-kindergarten classroom education for children. Eligibility Preference given to children eligible for kindergarten the following school year Households that meet income guidelines (up to 300% of the federal poverty level) Call 412-394-5863 for more information, classroom locations, or to enroll. Head Start The Head Start program provides eligible preschool children with high quality, comprehensive, in-home or classroom programming designed to support school readiness skills. The program offers services that include health and wellness, education, social services, and family engagement. Eligibility Households currently receiving TANF cash, SSI, are homeless, or a foster parent for children ages 3-5 Households that meet income guidelines (up to 100% of the federal poverty level) Call 412-394-4594 for more information and classroom locations or complete the online pre-application form. Find Other Pre-K Counts and Head Start Programs Families can find Head Start program in their community through the Head Start Provider Locator and Pre-K Counts programs on the COMPASS website. For assistance from the ELRC Region 5, call 412.350.3577 or email elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.
May 7, 2019 Pittsburgh Apraxia Specialists Panel Join Apraxia Kids on May 16 for their Pittsburgh Apraxia Specialists Panel. Attendees will join local speech-language pathologists (SLPs) for a one-of-a-kind panel and Q&A session, visit the Apraxia Kids headquarters, and network with local families, caregivers, and therapists. About Apraxia Kids is the leading nonprofit that strengthens the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia of speech by educating professionals and families; facilitating community engagement and outreach; and investing in the future through advocacy and research. This event coincides with Apraxia Awareness Month, an important time for informing the local community of the struggles that children with apraxia face each day. Apraxia Kids hopes to bring the Pittsburgh community together to raise awareness, support each other, and build a bridge between parents and professionals! Speakers Megan Overby, Ph.D., CCC-SLP – Duquesne University Kathy Helfrich-Miller, Ph.D., CCC-SLP- Rehabilitation Specialists Jen Rakers, MSLP, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVEd. – UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Carrie Van Soest, MS, CCC-SLP – UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Eileen Cirelli, MS, CCC/L-SLP – Allegheny Intermediate Unit Gretchen Myers, MSLP-CCC; Recognized by Apraxia Kids for Advanced Training and Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech – Center4Speech Katie Micco, MS, CCC-SLP; Recognized by Apraxia Kids for Advanced Training and Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech – Duquesne University Registration Registration for this event is free and may be accessed via the event’s webpage.
May 7, 2018 Kindergarten Transition White Paper Highlights Regional Efforts The move from pre-kindergarten to Kindergarten marks a critical point in the lives of young children and their families. In the 2017 – 2018 school year, Allegheny County reported early registration at 84% and on-time registration at 97% for Kindergarten students. This success is due largely in part to the local Hi5! Campaign funded by the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and chaired by Trying Together and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit #3. To highlight the successful regional and national efforts of child care centers, Head Start and pre-k teachers, and school districts to support young children and families in this momentous occasion, Trying Together has released a white paper entitled, Kindergarten Transition. The paper provides researched recommendations and activities including: requiring local transition teams; providing guidance on how to leverage funds; encouraging data sharing; including parents and guardians in the transition process; ensuring high-quality, developmentally appropriate Kindergarten; strengthening relationships and collaboration between early childhood programs and elementary schools; and rethinking the responsibility of school readiness. “Research and evaluation nationally shows that children who experienced effective transition practices retain the developmental gains made in early childhood through the early elementary grades,” said Cara Ciminillo, Trying Together Executive Director. “Through the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESSA), Pennsylvania school districts will now have more flexibility to use federal dollars to support their Kindergarten transition efforts.”
