March 29, 2019 Trauma-Informed Care: Training Session Our past experiences – personal, familial, societal – influence our brain development and shape how we interpret and respond to the world. Sometimes adults do not recognize how these experiences manifest as behaviors and they unintentionally harm children. This introductory session is designed to change participants’ approach to the behaviors children exhibit to decrease the likelihood of triggering them. Session Objectives Participants will be introduced to the Trauma-Informed Care framework. Participants will become familiar with the foundations of Trauma-Informed Care. Participants will understand complex trauma and the parts of the brain related to trauma. Participants will learn to recognize the impacts of trauma. To pre-register for this session, visit their Eventbrite page. *A certificate of participation will be given upon request. Session Focus Areas General Overview Trauma-Informed Care Framework Complex Trauma including Brain Development Impacts of Trauma What ELIE Circle Is Bringing Self-Reflection Self-Care Growth Mindset Intentionally Building Relationships Importance Barriers including Race and Gender Techniques Communication Importance Barriers Techniques including Motivational Interviewing, Empathic Communication, Restorative Practices About ELIE Circle ELIE Circle works to eliminate that through professional development training sessions that create trauma-informed communities – environments that focus on not re-traumatizing individuals and assist with development that may have been lost or delayed due to trauma – emotion regulation and empathy for example. ELIE Circle provides the following professional development services: Collaboration to create training sessions for organizations Consultation on creating trauma-informed out-of-school programs Facilitation of discussions with Q&A *Each customer receives a free consultation meeting to discuss organizational needs. Questions & Concerns For any questions or concerns, contact Debralyn Woodberry-Shaw, MSW, LSW at eliecircle@gmail.com.
March 27, 2019 P.R.I.D.E. Seeks Early Educators & Artists for Upcoming Art Festivals Recently, the Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education program (P.R.I.D.E.) announced a call for submissions to Pittsburgh-based early childhood educators and Africana artists for the P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festivals. About the Festivals Modeled after children’s activities offered during the popular Harambee || Black Arts Festivals, P.R.I.D.E. Pop Ups are small, half-day, outdoor art festivals hosted in three Pittsburgh communities: East Liberty, Homewood, and the Hill District. At the festivals, artists and educators engage young children (ages 3 to 8) and their families in hands-on activities. The goal is for adults to use art activities to teach children about their race and culture while building their positive racial identity. To see important dates and learn more, visit the P.R.I.D.E. website. Who Can Apply This call for submissions is open to early educators teaching grades Pre-K to 3rd grade and Africana artists working in the following disciplines: Literature, Performing Arts, Visual Arts & Crafts, and/or Multidisciplinary Arts. Applications are open to early childhood educators from all neighborhoods, schools, and child care settings, including public, private, charter, etc. Educators working in East Liberty, Homewood, and Hill District schools/settings are highly encouraged to apply. Participating educators and artists will receive the following compensation: Educator and Artist Cross-Training Compensation: $275 Educator and Artist Festival Participation Compensation: $260 per event ($780 total) End-of-Project Focus Group Participation Compensation: $25 Artist Material Stipend: $400 Application & Deadlines If you’re interested in applying or signing up as a volunteer, please visit the P.R.I.D.E. website. All applications must be submitted by Friday, April 5 at 11:59 p.m. About P.R.I.D.E. As a part of the University of Pittsburgh School of Education’s Office of Child Development, P.R.I.D.E. is a multifaceted program designed to help young African American children (ages 3 to 8) develop a positive racial identity, support teachers and parents by building their racial knowledge, and raise awareness of the impact of race on young children. The program provides a range of services, such as training opportunities for educators and artists, Parent Village sessions for Black children, and art festivals created to immerse young Black children in a space designed to celebrate them. See the P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festivals flyer. *Information provided by the P.R.I.D.E. Program
March 20, 2019 My Traveling Song About Created by a team of professional artists who are also the mothers of young children, “My Traveling Song” is an original play especially made for children ages 1-5, the young at heart, and the grown-ups who love them. With live music, tactile play and stunning imagery, “My Traveling Song” uplifts relationships between children and their caregivers while taking audience members on a heartfelt journey filled with wonder and joy. Purpose In “My Traveling Song” thunderstorms relinquish to cheerful mud puddles and darkness reveals magical firefly constellations in the night sky. Despite a world that can be unpredictable and sometimes sad, “My Traveling Song,” affirms the connections between loved ones, communities and the world around us can help to make us feel safe, loved, and free to imagine a more empathic and playful world. More Information To learn more about the My Traveling Song cast and creative team, click here. To view photo and video of the My Traveling Song creative development workshops, click here. To purchase tickets and view all showtimes, click here. Supporters Presented with generous support from A. W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Heinz Small Arts Initiative, McKinney Charitable Foundation, and Off The Wall Charitable Trust.
March 7, 2019 2019 National Survey of Early Care and Education Underway Overview Data collection for the 2019 National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) has begun. The Administration for Children & Families, Office of Child Care is now collecting new, nationally representative information about all parts of early care and education and families’ needs for ECE services, including child care, Early Head Start and Head Start, and pre-k programs. Goals A key aim of the 2019 surveys is to provide updated profiles of individuals and programs providing ECE and to describe ECE use in households across the United States. This information provides a more representative sample that will better inform future policy and research. All data provided by households and providers will be used only for statistical purposes, and the identities of individuals and programs will not be disclosed. Participation The Administration for Children and Families has contracted with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago to conduct the 2019 NSECE. NORC has sent mailings to selected providers and households throughout the country, inviting them to participate in the study. We are writing you to ask your support for this critical data collection effort. If you are contacted by providers, households, teachers and caregivers, or other members of the public, please emphasize and reassure those individuals that the 2019 NSECE is a legitimate and vital effort for our programs and our ability to help all children get access to high-quality ECE programs. Learn More Read more about the survey and access findings from the 2012 survey.
Annual Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference About NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s annual Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference is Friday, March 8, 2019, at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott. This event will offer skills needed to improve the lives of children with mental health needs and give better understanding of best practices and research in children’s mental health. Who Should Attend? This event is for parents and caregivers, health professionals, health care providers, and educators. Registration Registration is now closed. Walk-ins are welcome. For questions, email Sara Levine Steinberg at slsteinberg@namikeystonepa.org. For more information, please go to: https://www.namikeystonepa.org/education/conferences/2019-child-and-adolescent-mental-health-conference/
March 4, 2019 2019 Capital Area Chapter of PennAEYC (CACPennAEYC) Conference Conference Information The Capital Area Chapter of PennAEYC (CACPennAEYC) invites you and your colleagues to participate in a day of learning, networking and professional development. Returning to Messiah College on March 16, 2019, the Capital Area Early Childhood conference is especially designed for early childhood professionals and advocates who work with and on behalf of young children. This year’s conference will include a wide variety of in-depth workshops, an inspirational keynote speaker, an assortment of vendors, and additional resources for up-to-date information on early care and education. Please bring this brochure to the conference for easy reference. Professional Development Up to six DHS and PA Key professional development hours will be awarded. Forms for Act 48 credit will be available at the registration table for teachers holding a PA professional I or II certification. CEUs are not offered at this event. Directions on where to obtain documentation of your attendance will be included in your conference folder materials. We look forward to seeing you on March 16, 2019! Please view the attached brochure for more information!
