August 17, 2020 CDA Credential Course (North Side): Registration Deadline About Are you an early educator in the North Side of Pittsburgh who is working with young children? Are you looking to take the first step in advancing your career? Join your peers and Trying Together for this nine-month online CDA course where you will: focus on Competency Standards and Best Practices that support healthy early development in young children; complete online coursework; receive support from an experienced instructor; and receive a nationally recognized credential upon completion. Session Details Course Timeline: September 14, 2020 – May 31, 2021 Delivery: Online (Schoology and Zoom) Course Instructor: Theresa Hetler CDA Orientation Date: September 2, 2020 Registration closes on September 2, 2020. Space is limited. Registration To register, complete our online form. Please note that this listing is not a one-day, in-person event. This online course runs from September 14, 2020 to May 31, 2020. More information will be provided after registration. More Information For questions or more information, please contact Theresa Hetler at theresa@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
CDA Credential Course: Registration Deadline Important Note: This course is full. If you are an early learning professional in the North Side of Pittsburgh, please register for our other CDA course that will run from September 14, 2020 – May 31, 2021. About Are you an early educator who is working with young children? Are you looking to take the first step in advancing your career? Join your peers and Trying Together for this nine-month online CDA course where you will: focus on Competency Standards and Best Practices that support healthy early development in young children; complete online coursework; receive support from an experienced instructor; and receive a nationally recognized credential upon completion. Session Details Course Timeline: September 8, 2020 – May 31, 2021 Delivery: Online (Schoology and Zoom) Course Instructor: Theresa Hetler CDA Orientation Date: August 31, 2020 Registration closes on August 31, 2020. Space is limited. Registration This course is currently full. To stay up-to-date on available courses, sign up to receive the Trying Together newsletter and/or follow Trying Together on Facebook and Twitter. Please note that this listing is not a one-day, in-person event. This online course runs from September 8, 2020 to May 31, 2020. More information will be provided after registration. More Information For questions or more information, please contact Theresa Hetler at theresa@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
July 7, 2020 CDA Community of Practice Are you an early educator who is interested in advancing your career? Join Trying Together starting July 14 for our six-week online course, “CDA Community of Practice.” About This online course is intended for individuals who have completed the necessary hours and requirements for a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. During this community of practice, participants will explore the current theory, research, and best practices related to early childhood. Participants will focus on the completion of portfolio requirements, as well as preparation for the CDA credential exam. This course will be hosted on Zoom. Participants will receive the Zoom link via email from the course instructor. For questions, contact Theresa Hetler at theresa@tryingtogether.org. Course Details Timeline: July 14 – August 18, 2020 (Six Weeks) Sessions will be held every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Instructor: Theresa Hetler, Workforce Development Strategist Course Type: Online (Zoom Meetings) Registration Deadline: Friday, July 10 Registration To register for this course, contact Theresa Hetler at theresa@tryingtogether.org. Space is extremely limited. Registrations must be submitted no later than Friday, July 10. More Information For questions, contact Theresa Hetler at theresa@tryingtogether.org.
May 12, 2020 Working with Diverse Families: Supporting Dual Language Learners In this online course, participants will engage in an interactive session to build and strengthen knowledge working with diverse children ages birth to five and families. In order to support early childhood practitioners serving this population, this session will focus on current research, strategies when teaching dual language learners, and techniques to engage families. Limited spaces are available. All registrations must be submitted by May 26 at 5 p.m. Course Information Timeline: May 28 – June 18, 2020 Instructor: Mimi Loughead CKC: K3.1 C2 Keystone STARS Alignment: SQ. 3.4.3 CDA Subject Area: Building Productive Relationships with Families. Three PQAS and Act 48 hours available. Registration To register, please visit the event registration page. More Information For more information, contact Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org.
April 27, 2020 Learning to Play, Playing to Learn: Encouraging Play Within Early Childhood Classrooms “Play acts as a mechanism into courageous, creative, and rigorous thinking in adulthood.” (T. Bruce,., 2013) The benefits of children’s play can be life-lasting, as long as the experiences are developmentally appropriate, positive, and engaging. This free online course focuses on children’s play and the role of play in early education settings. Participants will take part in varied individual and group activities that pertain to the definitions, developmental mechanics, and functions of play as well as new strategies for encouraging play within children’s earliest classrooms. Course Information Timeline: May 1 – 22, 2020 Trainers: Rachelle Duffy and Jasmine Davis CKC: K2.14.C1 Keystone STARS Alignment: EC.3.4.1 CDA Subject Area: Advancing children’s physical and intellectual development. Three PQAS and Act 48 hours available. Registration To register for this course, please visit the event registration page. All registrations must be submitted by April 29 at 5 p.m. Limited spaces are available. More Information For more information, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
Exploring the Outdoor World Through Our Senses The outside world shapes children’s development through everyday, hands-on experiences. In this free online session, participants will explore ways to facilitate sensory experiences in outdoor play including natural materials in the outdoor environment, reusable loose parts, and classroom materials. Participants will discover the benefits of learning through the five senses and explore meaningful ways to encourage sensory learning with young children. Course Information Timeline: May 4 – 24, 2020 Trainer: Katie Gullone CKC: K2.4C2 Keystone STARS Alignment: SQ. 3.4.9 CDA Subject Area: Planning a safe and healthy learning environment. Three PQAS and Act 48 hours available. Registration To register for this course, please visit the event registration page. All registrations must be submitted by May 1, 2020 at 5 p.m. Limited spots are available. More Information For more information, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
December 20, 2019 CDA Renewal Amnesty Program Begins January 1, 2020 For a limited time, early childhood professionals whose Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential lapsed or expired can take advantage of a CDA Renewal Amnesty program. About Running from January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020, the CDA Renewal Amnesty program provides early childhood education professionals who completed their CDA but did not submit a renewal in time to keep the CDA current an opportunity to reinstate their credential. The renewal program is eligible for Rising Stars Tuition Assistance (RSTA). Professionals interested in applying for assistance must complete their profile in the PD Registry to access the Financial Assistance tab. For more information about RSTA, visit the PA Key website. Eligibility Requirements To qualify, professionals must meet the following eligibility requirements: CDA expiration date is no earlier than January 1, 2010 Applicant meets all current renewal requirements Professional applies online using the YourCouncil CDA council portal system All applications and payments ($125) must be submitted online by March 31, 2020. PDOs and New CDA Cohorts Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is implementing statewide Professional Development Organizations (PDOs). PDOs will specialize in access to credit-bearing coursework and credentials for the early childhood education (ECE) workforce. Shippensburg University and Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) were selected as the PDOs in Pennsylvania. See a regional map. While PDOs begin their work, The Pennsylvania Key contracted with several organizations and institutes of higher education, including Trying Together and Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5, to offer community-based cohorts so that individuals attempting to obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential can complete the 120 hours of coursework and receive additional support. This opportunity is only available for 2019-20. Space in these cohorts is limited. For more information about Trying Together and ELRC Region 5’s CDA program, contact Jan Sapotichne at jan.elrc5@alleghenycounty.us or 412.350.3604. Learn More To learn more about the CDA Renewal Amnesty program, visit the Council for Professional Recognition website. *Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key
July 29, 2019 New Services Available on Pennsylvania’s PD Registry In July, Pennsylvania’s PD Registry received new enhancements that will help support early childhood professionals. New Services Available Through the PD Registry website, early childhood professionals can now apply for or access: Rising STARS Tuition Assistance CDA Voucher Director Credential Early Childhood Education Career Pathway Early Childhood Career Pathway The Early Childhood Education Career Pathway is a tool to support the ECE profession in entering the field prepared for success while growing the existing professional’s capacity to advance in their intended field. This tool is now available on PD Registry. To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key website. Note The Career Lattice will still be used for Keystone STARS designation and Education and Retention Awards (ERA) until further notice. Additionally, early childhood educators that currently meet the expectation of particular career lattice level will be honored at that level by being grandfathered into the Career Pathway level that is equivalent if verified within the determined timeline. Many individuals have already uploaded transcripts before the new enhancements went live on July 1. You will still need to complete your profile to be placed on the career pathway. If transcripts were already uploaded, this step will not be needed again. To view tip sheets on completing the profile and uploading transcripts, please view them at the PA Keys website. More Information For more information on these enhancements, watch the recorded webinar, visit the FAQ document, and view tipsheets and more on the PD Registry. Questions? Call 1.800.284.6031 or email registry@pakeys.org. *Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key
July 23, 2019 East End CDA Credential Course: Registration Deadline Are you an early educator working with young children in a center, home, or school setting? Are you looking to advance your career? Join Trying Together for a nine-month Child Development Associate (CDA) course that will meet in a classroom setting and include online coursework, both supported by an instructor throughout. Course Timeline This course runs from September 6, 2019 through May 18, 2020. More Information For questions or more information, contact Theresa Hetler at 412.567.3329 or theresa@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network. Registration To participate in this course, complete the registration process below. Registration closes on August 21, 2019.
May 3, 2019 Pittsburgh Infant/Toddler Symposium Kaplan and YWCA Greater Pittsburgh PD/TA are partnering to provide a day of training and networking for area infant/toddler teachers. The day will consist of an opening keynote address, four hours of professional development training, resource tables. Lunch will be provided at no cost. This event is PQAS approved. CDA Content Areas The symposium will focus on the following CDA content areas: Principles of Child Growth and Development Social and Emotional Development Safe, Healthy Learning Environments Learning Objectives The students will be able to: Discuss and explain topics that are relevant to the care and growth/development of infants and toddlers. Participants will have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of courses related to infant/toddler caregiving. Courses offered at the Symposium will focus on topics such as; activities to stimulate brain development, social/emotional development, trauma-informed practice, and health/safety. Registration Registrations must be submitted by May 24, 2019 via the Symposium’s event page. Questions For questions, contact Tom Yeager at 412.255.1173 or tyeager@ywcapgh.org. To learn more, see their event page.
