News

October 2, 2020

Homewood Virtual Block Party

We’re throwing you a BLOCK PARTY! Join the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center and Homewood Early Learning Steering Committee (HELSC) on October 10 for a virtual celebration filled with storytime sessions, family yoga, a virtual bike ride, and a dance party!

About

Since the onset of COVID-19, Trying Together has been working with the HELSC to figure out a way to provide Homewood families, partners, and collaborators an experience that matches the energy and excitement of the events hosted in years prior. With this in mind, Trying Together and the HELSC are excited to announce the first Homewood Virtual Block Party!

Homewood Virtual Block Party
Saturday, October 10
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

While this year’s event is different, the virtual event still features many educational and fun activities that past attendees of the Homewood Block Party know and love. The Homewood Virtual Block Party will be pre-recorded and available for viewing on this event page via the Trying Together Vimeo player and on Facebook via the Trying Together page.

Featured Events

The Homewood Virtual Block Party will feature online events from the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center, Homewood Community Engagement Center, Homewood Children’s Village, Kenny’s, YWCA Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, WQED Education, Fund My Future/Propel Schools, Mayor’s Office/Imagination Library, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, and University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.

Family Dance Party

Ready to get your groove on? Join the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center, HELSC, and DJ Doug for a Virtual Family Dance Party from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Family Fun Bags

Want a swag bag? Complete your virtual block party registration and you may pick up a Family Fun Bag with information, resources, and giveaways from the activities and partners featured during the party. Coordinate your bag pick-up time on the day of the party (October 10) with one of our contacts listed below during their available hours:

Registration

To register, please complete this online form by Friday, October 8 at 5 p.m. Registrants will receive the event link via email at least 24 hours before the start of the celebration.

If you miss the registration deadline, you can still coordinate a time to pick up a Family Fun Bag. You can also watch the Block Party Livestream on the Trying Together website or Facebook page on October 10.

More Information

For questions, please contact Sarah Byrne-Houser at sarah@tryingtogether.org.

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News

June 19, 2020

Public Discussion: Services for Families in Allegheny County

What does your community need? How can the Allegheny County Department of Human Services help meet those needs? You are invited to share your ideas and suggestions at a virtual Human Services Block Grant Public Meeting. All input will inform the 2020-21 Human Services Block Grant Plan.

Available Sessions

Join a Session

There are three ways to participate in a virtual meeting:

  1. To hear the live audio, see the live video, and participate in the Q&A, join on your computer, smartphone, or tablet. You may be instructed to download an app called Microsoft Teams. If prompted to sign in, you may choose whether to do so or join anonymously.
  2. To hear the live audio only, call 267.368.7515. The access code for Monday’s meeting is 172 596 105# and the access code for Tuesday’s meeting is 746 312 327#.
  3. To watch the recordings at your convenience, visit the Allegheny County website. The recordings will be posted within 24 to 48 hours after the meetings.

More Information

Allegheny County DHS makes reasonable efforts to accommodate people with disabilities or limited-English-proficiency. Closed captioning in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic will be available when joining the meeting on a PC or Mac.

For questions, comments, or ideas, contact DHS-Ideas@AlleghenyCounty.US.

News

November 13, 2019

Operation Better Block Homewood Community Meeting

Homewood residents and property owners are invited to join Operation Better Block, Inc. on November 20 for their Monthly Community Meeting.

About

Community members are invited to join together to learn about a potential new charter school in the area, the University of Pittsburgh’s SPIN Project, and fire safety as the weather gets cooler. Attendees can also participate in a raffle to win two tickets to the Harriet Tubman Guild Annual Luncheon.

Dinner will be provided.

More Information

For questions or to learn more, contact Operation Better Block, Inc. at 412.731.1908 or gdemarchi@obbinc.org.

News

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.

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*Information provided by the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning

News

April 5, 2019

Homewood Event Series: Get Up

Join Operation Better Block this April and May for the Fuel Up, Redd Up, Get Up event series (4/12, 20, & 5/5).

*The calendar information for this event page links with the May 5 event: Get Up*

May 5: Get Up

The series will close on May 5 by gathering to cheer on the marathon runners as they make their way through the Homewood community. Volunteer sign-ups will be available for the marathon through Camille via phone at 412.731.1908 or by visiting the Operation Better Block office.

Attendees of this event are encouraged to provide your name and t-shirt size and will meet in front of the Homewood House from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

More Information

For more information, visit the series’ event page.

News

Homewood Event Series: Redd Up

Join Operation Better Block this April and May for the Fuel Up, Redd Up, Get Up event series (4/12, 20, & 5/5).

*The calendar information for this event page links with the April 20 event: Redd Up*

April 20: Redd Up

The series continues on April 20 with an annual clean-up day claimed by the phrase “Redd Up.” This will be a day of volunteering for all to go out and clean the streets and sidewalks of Homewood. Sign-ins and tool pickups will start at 9 a.m. in the YMCA basketball court. The day will end with lunch at 11:30 a.m.

May 5: Get Up

The series will close on May 5 by gathering to cheer on the marathon runners as they make their way through the Homewood community. Volunteer sign-ups will be available for the marathon through Camille via phone at 412.731.1908 or by visiting the Operation Better Block office.

Attendees of this event are encouraged to provide your name and t-shirt size and will meet in front of the Homewood House from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For calendar information on this event, visit its event page.

More Information

For more information, visit the series’ event page.

News

Homewood Event Series: Fuel Up

Join Operation Better Block this April and May for the Fuel Up, Redd Up, Get Up event series (4/12, 20, & 5/5).

*The calendar information for this event page links with the April 12 event: Fuel Up*

April 12: Fuel Up

The series will kick off on April 12 with a free community dinner from 6 – 7:30 at the House of Manna. The dinner will feature vendors, food, music, community discussion, and more! To attend, you must register with NaTisha by calling 412.731.1908 or by visiting the Operation Better Block office.

April 20: Redd Up

The series continues on April 20 with an annual clean-up day claimed by the phrase “Redd Up.” This will be a day of volunteering for all to go out and clean the streets and sidewalks of Homewood. Sign-ins and tool pickups will start at 9 a.m. in the YMCA basketball court. The day will end with lunch at 11:30 a.m.

For calendar information on this event, visit its event page.

May 5: Get Up

The series will close on May 5 by gathering to cheer on the marathon runners as they make their way through the Homewood community. Volunteer sign-ups will be available for the marathon through Camille via phone at 412.731.1908 or by visiting the Operation Better Block office.

Volunteers will provide your name and t-shirt size and will meet in front of the Homewood House from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For calendar information on this event, visit its event page.

More Information

For more information, visit the series’ event page.

News

Jeremiah’s Place: Block Party & Resource Fair

Join Jeremiah’s Place on June 22 for a fun-filled day of festivities at their Block Party and Resource Fair.

Activities

This year’s event will include:

  • Resource tables,
  • Storymobile,
  • Fire truck tour,
  • Face painting,
  • Arts and crafts,
  • Free picnic and carnival food,
  • Free wellness sessions,
  • Raffle prizes, and much more!

This event is FREE and open to the public, rain or shine!

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News

February 4, 2019

Ask Congress to Increase Federal Child Care Funding

Trying Together and our partners are advocating for greater investments in federal child care funding, and we need your organization to join us.

What is happening?

Your voices helped achieve historic increases in funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funds in federal fiscal years 2018 and 2019. We need to build off that success and advocate for increased discretionary CCDBG funding in the federal fiscal year 2020 so that we can continue to address unmet needs. Advocates across the country are asking Congress to increase CCDBG funding by $5 billion.

To accomplish this goal, the Budget Control Act caps on non-defense discretionary spending would need to be lifted to provide for such an increase in the Labor/Health and Human Services/Education appropriations bill.

Why does it matter?

The additional funding would help Pennsylvania children and families access and afford high-quality child care and further support child care programs and teachers. Trying Together, along with our partner early care and education advocacy organizations in Pennsylvania, is gathering signatures for a letter to our congressional delegation.

Sign-On Your Support

To support an increase in federal child care funding, sign your organization on to the letter by Wednesday, February 20th!

News

November 13, 2018

PA Submits Plan for Child Care and Development Block Grant

On August 31, 2018, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) submitted Pennsylvania’s plan for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) for the next plan cycle which spans Federal Fiscal Year 2019 through 2021. At present, the plan is under review by the Administration for Children and Families, the Office of Child Care. The plan is now posted and available for review at the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) website.

Plan Summary

In the plan, OCDEL certifies that Pennsylvania is in full compliance with all CCDBG requirements except for those associated with criminal history background checks. For the background check requirements, Pennsylvania has met all mandated, preliminary milestones – in-state child abuse registry, Pennsylvania State Police, fingerprint background check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and in-state sex offender registry.

Checks for inter-state criminal histories, child abuse registries, and sex offender registries as well as a check of the National Sex Offender Registry have yet to be incorporated. OCDEL has requested a one-year waiver to come into full compliance with those requirements by September 30, 2019, and is on target to meet that deadline.

Questions

Questions about the plan may be directed to OCDEL at 717-346-9320.

*Information provided by PA Early Ed News*