September 26, 2023 Resources for October Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for October observances: Month-Long Observances Head Start Awareness Month Head Start Awareness Month-October 2023, National Today October is Head Start Awareness Month, Trying Together Dyslexia Awareness Month October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, International Dyslexia Association Understanding Dyslexia, Nemours KidsHealth Understanding Dyslexia, Child Mind Institute Hispanic Heritage Month (continued) Family Guide to Discussing Race and Equity with Young Children, Trying Together Latino Children Represent Over a Quarter of the Child Population Nationwide, National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families Key Facts About Young Latinos, One of the Nation’s Fastest-Growing Populations, Pew Research Center Characteristics of the Early Childhood Workforce Serving Latino Children, National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families Celebrate Latin American and Hispanic Heritage Month With These Tasty Recipes!, PBS Kids for Parents National Book Month Why Is It Important to Read to Your Child? Child Mind Institute Kids & Teens Booklists, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Supporting Early Literacy Development, Buzzword Pittsburgh Days of Recognition October 2 is National Child Health Day Childhood Physical Health, Trying Together Childhood Physical Health: Resources, Trying Together Supporting Childhood Physical Health: A Guide for Families, Trying Together Using Play to Support Children’s Physical Health, Trying Together October 4 is National Walk to School Day National Walk & Bike To School Day-October 4, 2023, National Today Celebrate Walk to School Day, Action For Healthy Kids October 7 is National Play Outside Day Using Play to Support Children’s Physical Health, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Outdoor Play Trends, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative The Benefits of Outdoor Play: Why It Matters, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia October 9 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day 9 Ways To Observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day With Children, Rebekah Gienapp October 10 is World Mental Health Day Childhood Mental Health, Trying Together Caring for the Caregiver, Trying Together Mental Health Resources for Child Care Providers in Allegheny County, Early Learning Resource Center Grandfamily Tip Sheets Provide Information on Self-Care and Youth Mental Health, Trying Together Parental Mental Health Impacts on Children, Trying Together October 11 is National Coming Out Day Gender, Gender Identity, and LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Trying Together Family Guide: Gender and Gender Identity, Trying Together Non-Gendered Play in Early Childhood, Trying Together How Are Sex, Gender, and Gender Identity Defined? Trying Together Resource List: Books to Celebrate Gender Expression, Inclusion, and Pride, Trying Together
September 19, 2023 Poll Reveals Increases in Child Communication Disorders and Need for Early Intervention Services A national poll of audiologists and speech-language pathologists recently revealed an increase in child medical referrals for parental concerns about hearing, speech, and language delays or disorders. Conducted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the survey investigated early detection, early warning signs, and caregiver knowledge and awareness of communication disorders, and demonstrated a need for early intervention education and services. About the Survey ASHA conducted this survey in February and March of 2023, sending an email invitation to 5,460 ASHA-certified audiologists and 5,534 ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists in the U.S. who are employed as clinical service providers and regularly serve at least one of the following age groups: six months or younger, seven months to two years of age, and three to five years of age The invitation included a link to the survey, which 858 recipients completed. Demographically: 43% of respondents work in schools. 29% work in nonresidential health care facilities. 21% work in hospitals. 79% regularly serve age groups three to five years. 54% regularly serve age groups seven months to two years. 32% regularly serve age groups six months or less. Key Findings Pandemic-Related Trends Backlogs of children who weren’t referred to audiologists and speech-language pathologists during stay-at-home periods, or whose families waited to seek help due to concerns about coronavirus exposure, were a major factor in the increase of referrals. Three-quarters (75%) of audiologists and 62% of speech-language pathologists reported such backlogs. Post-pandemic: 34% of audiologists reported seeing more children with a delayed diagnosis of hearing loss; 36% of audiologists reported seeing more children with untreated ear infections that could interfere with communication development; 84% of speech-language pathologists reported seeing more children with emotional or behavioral difficulties; 79% of speech-language pathologists reported seeing more children with delayed language or diagnosed language disorders, and 78% reported seeing more children with social communication difficulties than before the pandemic. When it comes to factors contributing to increases in referrals beyond backlogs, audiologists and speech-language pathologists point to: limited opportunities for social interaction and play with peers (59%); limited formal pre-K and daycare or interaction with outside adults (57%) such as child care providers, preschool teachers, and extended family; and young children (51%) spending more time using screens and technology such as tablets and smartphones compared with pre-pandemic years. Caregiver Awareness and Need for Early Intervention Services Positive Trends 67% of audiologists and speech-language pathologists said parental awareness of the early warning signs of communication disorders has improved during the past decade. A majority (71%) said that most families with young children are at least “somewhat” aware of the importance of early detection of speech, language, and hearing difficulties when families first see them. Negative Trends Lack of awareness of the early signs of disorders remains the leading factor hindering parents and caregivers from taking action on communication disorders in young children. Less than one quarter (21%) of audiologists said that most parents know the early warning signs of hearing disorders. Only 28% of speech-language pathologists said that most parents know the early warning signs of speech-language disorders. About 40% of audiologists indicated that, on average, symptoms of hearing loss in young children go unrecognized by parents/caregivers for 6 months to 1 year. Similarly, about 41% of speech-language pathologists indicated that, on average, symptoms of a speech-language delay or disorder in young children go unrecognized by parents/caregivers for 1–2 years. Nearly half (48%) of audiologists indicated that, on average, parents/caregivers wait 6 months to 1 year after observing symptoms of hearing loss in their children before acting. Accordingly, 48% of speech-language pathologists indicated that, on average, parents/caregivers wait 6 months to 1 year after observing symptoms of a speech-language delay or disorder to get help. ASHA Recommendations for Families Learn the signs of communication disorders. Connect with early intervention or a private clinician if you have concerns. Find contacts by state at this link: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/parents/states.html. Access a searchable database of private providers at www.asha.org/profind. Additionally, focus on daily interactions with your child. Learn More Visit www.IdentifytheSigns.org to learn more about communication disorders. To find additional information, visit the ASHA website. Source Information for this post was taken directly from the ASHA “Identify the Signs Campaign Survey Results” and ASHA Press Release. Some text may have been added, paraphrased, or adapted for readability and comprehension. Related Content & Resources Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Early Intervention (EI) Family Guide for Early Intervention and Inclusion in Allegheny County Family Guide for Navigating Early Intervention Services Tracking Your Child’s Developmental Milestones When Should a Parent Consider Early Intervention for Their Child? Early Intervention FAQ About the Alliance for Infants and Toddlers
July 5, 2023 New Nationwide Report Ranks Pennsylvania 22nd in Child Well-Being The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently released its 2023 KIDS COUNT Data Book on state trends in child well-being. The 50-state report ranks Pennsylvania 22nd overall in child well-being, showing declines in major indicators of child health, safety, education, support, and happiness. About the Kids Count Data Book Since 1990, the Casey Foundation has ranked states annually on overall child well-being using a selection of indicators. Called the KIDS COUNT index, these indicators capture what children and youth need most to thrive in four domains: economic well-being, education, health, and family and community. Each domain has four indicators, for a total of 16. These indicators represent the best available data to measure the status of child well-being at the state and national levels. Indicators include: Economic Well-Being children in poverty children whose parents lack secure employment children living in households with a high housing cost burden teens not in school and not working Education young children (ages 3 and 4) not in school fourth-graders not proficient in reading eighth-graders not proficient in math high school students not graduating on time Health low birth-weight babies children without health insurance children and teen deaths per 100,000 children and teens (ages 10-17) overweight or obese Family and Community children in single-parent families children in families where the household head lacks a high school diploma children living in high-poverty areas teen births per 1,000 This year’s Data Book presents a picture of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted child well-being in the United States. Foundational Information & Report Context Importance of Child Care According to one estimate, shortcomings of the child care system cost the U.S. economy $122 billion a year through lost earnings, productivity and tax revenue. Access & Barriers to Child Care Despite gains in recent years, the United States is still failing to deliver early childhood education to more than half of its children (54%). The National Survey of Children’s Health reports that 13% of children birth to age 5 (2.8 million) had a family member who faced work challenges due to child care. More than half of working parents with infants or toddlers reported having been late to work or leaving early at least once in the previous three months due to child care problems, and almost a quarter (23%) have, at some point, been fired for it. According to an analysis by the advocacy organization Child Care Aware, the average annual cost of care for one child in America was $10,600 in 2021—one-tenth of a couple’s average income or more than a third (35%) of a single parent’s income. Child Care Aware also has estimated that center-based infant care costs more per year than in-state tuition at a public university in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Child care costs have risen 220% since the publication of the first KIDS COUNT Data Book in 1990, significantly outpacing inflation. Issues & Inequities Within Child Care Of children eligible for subsidies under federal rules, only 1 in 6 receives them. The shortcomings of the child care system disproportionately affect the financial well-being of women, single parents, parents in poverty, families of color, and immigrant families. Parents tend to need child care earlier in their career when lower salaries match their limited experience. Young parents spend an average of 14% of their household income on child care, twice the share the federal government recommends. Researchers estimate women were five to eight times more likely than men to experience negative employment consequences related to caregiving in 2022. Cost of Providing Child Care Labor costs can account for more than 80% of a child care provider’s expenses. Child care workers make less than workers in 98% of our nation’s other professions, despite the vital role they play in preparing the next generation to thrive. The median pay for child care workers, who typically must hold a range of credentials, was $28,520 per year or $13.71 an hour in 2022. That’s less than the median pay for: customer service representatives ($18.16), retail sales positions ($14.26), and restaurant jobs ($14) that don’t require the same level of education. Ninety-four percent of child care workers are women; 14% are Black and 4% are Asian, and across all races, 24% described their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino. Staffing shortages have left those within the field “more stressed” (85%) and “exhausted/burnt out” (75%). These shortages were a factor for the more than one-third of owners and operators who said they were considering shutting down. Key Findings Nationwide Data Negative Trends Half of the indicators tracked in the 2023 Data Book worsened since before the pandemic, while four stayed the same, and only four saw improvement. The most recent data available show that fewer parents were economically secure, educational achievement declined, and more children died young than ever before. In 2022, 74% of eighth-graders were not proficient in math, the worst figure in the last two decades. Also, more young children did not attend school, and the percentage of high school students graduating on time stalled. In 2021, the child and teen death rate was 30 deaths per 100,000 children and youths ages 1 to 19, the highest rate seen since 2007, with continued increases in deaths by suicides, homicides, drug overdoses, firearms, and traffic accidents. Positive Trends The number and percentage of children without health insurance improved between 2019 and 2021. Thus, efforts to expand access to stable and affordable coverage helped children and families. Over the last two years, the teen birth rate improved, a smaller percentage of children lived with parents who lacked a high school diploma and there was improvement in the number of children living in high-poverty communities. Racial Inequities in Child Well-Being Data suggest that the United States fails to provide American Indian, Black and Latino children with the opportunities and support they need to thrive, and to remove the obstacles they encounter disproportionately on the road to adulthood. Nearly all index measures show that children with the same potential are experiencing disparate outcomes by race and ethnicity. A few notable exceptions: Black children were more likely than the national average to be in school as young children and to live in families in which the head of the household has at least a high school diploma. American Indian and Latino kids were more likely to be born at a healthy birth weight. Latino children and teens had a lower death rate than the national average. However: Black children were significantly more likely to live in single-parent families and in poverty. American Indian kids were more than twice as likely to lack health insurance and almost three times as likely to live in neighborhoods with more limited resources than the average child. And Latino children were the most likely to be overweight or obese and live with a head of household who lacked a high school diploma. State Data New Hampshire ranks first in overall child well-being, followed by Utah and Massachusetts. Mississippi (at 48th place), Louisiana (49th) and New Mexico (50th) are the three lowest-ranked states. States in Appalachia, as well as the Southeast and Southwest (where families have the lowest levels of household income) populate the bottom of the overall rankings. In fact, except for Alaska, the 15 lowest-ranked states are in these regions. Although they are not ranked against states, children in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico experienced some of the worst outcomes on many of the indicators the Foundation tracks. Pennsylvania Data Negative Trends The number of children whose parents lack secure employment and the number of teens not in school and not working increased over the last two years. Additionally, fewer than half of: young children are in school, fourth-graders are proficient in reading, and eighth-graders are proficient in math. Statistically: 55% (up from 53% in 2016) of 3-4 year olds are not in school. 66% (up from 60% in 2019) of fourth-graders are not proficient at reading. 73% (up from 61% in 2019) of eighth-graders are not proficient in math. More children and teens are: dying, overweight or obese, and in families where the household head lacks a high school diploma. Positive Trends Though Pennsylvania’s rate of uninsured children is 4% and approximately 126,000 children cannot access affordable, quality health care coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), more Pennsylvania children are insured now than in 2019. Additionally, the percentage of low birth-weight babies is down from 2019. Fewer children are: living in households with a high housing cost burden (25% from 27% in 2019), in single-parent families (34% from 35% in 2019), and living in high-poverty areas (9% from 12% in 2016). Also, fewer teenagers are giving birth (12% from 13% in 2019). Despite significant drops in indicators, Pennsylvania outranked most states in education. For more detailed Pennsylvania data, view the KIDS COUNT Data Book state profile. Policy Recommendations The Annie E. Casey Foundation encourages policymakers to take the following actions: Federal, state and local governments should invest more money in child care. Public and private leaders should work together to improve the infrastructure for home-based child care, beginning by increasing access to startup and expansion capital for new providers. To help young parents, Congress should expand the federal Child Care Access Means Parents in School program, which serves student parents. Learn More To learn more, read the full report or visit the Annie E. Casey Foundation website. Source Information for this post was taken directly from the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2023 KIDS COUNT Data Book. Some text may have been added, paraphrased, or adapted for readability and comprehension. Related Content & Resources Support Resources for Families The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center 2023 Food Resources State Departments Asking Child Care Providers to Complete Insurance Survey Allegheny County Family Resource Map Highlights Supports for Locals Housing Resources Available for Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Families Trying Together Shares Advocacy Tools for Families and Child Care Providers ELRC Region 5 Now an Infant Formula Bank
June 27, 2023 June Recalls on Children’s Products Parents and caregivers should be aware of several child-related product recalls. Learn More Here is a list of June recalls collected from the following major federal agencies: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Infanttech recalled Zooby Video Baby Monitors for Cars due to fire hazard. Sound Around recalled Children’s Multi-Purpose Helmets due to risk of head injury. Zuru recalled Baby Shark and Mini Baby Shark Bath Toys with Hard Plastic Top Fins due to risk of impalement, laceration, and puncture injuries to children. Nationwide Pharmaceutical recalled Iron Dietary Supplements due to failure to meet child resistant packaging requirement and risk of poisoning. Trek recalled Promax Hydraulic Disc Brakes Sold on Trek Bicycles due to crash hazard. Bell Sports recalled Giro Merit Helmets due to risk of head injury. Little Cotton Clothes recalled Children’s Pajamas and Nightdresses due to violation of federal flammability standards and burn hazard. Deux Par Deux recalled Children’s One-Piece and Two-Piece Pajama Sets due to violation of federal flammability standards and burn hazard. TopGlore recalled Narskido Infant Bath Seats due to drowning hazard; sold exclusively on Amazon.com. Jetson Electric Bikes recalled Nova and Star 3-Wheel Kick Children’s Scooters due to fall hazard. Foremost Foods Corporation recalled Pamana Brand Mini Fruit Jelly Cup (35.27OZ) due to potential choking hazard. Richin Trading Inc. recalled Sunwave Brand Mini Fruit Jelly Cup (35.27oz./52.90oz) due to potential choking hazard. More Information For recall details, visit the links above or review the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration websites.
June 21, 2023 Healthy Homes Resource Fair Learn how to make your house a healthier home! Join Women for a Healthy Environment to celebrate their HUD-funded Healthy Homes Asthma Program by learning all about the incredible housing and health resources available in the Northside Neighborhood and greater Pittsburgh region. The day will include resource tables, games and activities, and music for all people of all ages to enjoy. Event Details Saturday, June 24 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. McKnight Playground, 1250 Page Street Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Optional: Reserve your spot. Learn More Revival Chili will be on site for anyone wishing to purchase their lunch that day. They have something for everyone on their menu! Vendors include: Women for a Healthy Environment (HUD grantee) Rebuilding Together ACTION Housing Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program (HUD grantee) University of Pittsburgh Healthy Home Lab (HUD grantee) Neighborhood Resilience Project The Wellness Collective Manchester Craftsman’s Guild Youth Neighborhood Legal Service PA Resources Council Fund My Future Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) UPMC Project Destiny/Thrive18 Allegheny Healthy Network For more information, visit the Eventbrite event page or email amandaj@womenforahealthyenvironment.org
June 13, 2023 Air Quality Tips and Training Available for Families and Educators To better protect adults and children during air quality alerts, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and Environmental Health Capacity (EHC) Program are offering tips and training to help families and children stay healthy. About Air Quality Dangers & Alerts Current weather patterns are pushing smoke from wildfires in eastern Canada into communities across the Commonwealth, increasing the average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the air. Air quality can affect your health, especially people who may be at greater risk, including: people with heart disease people with lung disease (including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD]) older adults children and teenagers (because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more air relative to their size) people who are pregnant people who work outdoors If you experience symptoms like trouble breathing or dizziness, you should seek medical attention. If you know a family member or neighbor who has one of the above conditions, remember to check in on them. Tips from DHS During air quality alerts, all Pennsylvanians should: avoid strenuous outdoor activities keep outdoor activities short consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them Additionally, to help keep particle pollution lower indoors during air quality alerts: don’t use candles or smoke indoors keep windows and doors closed use an air filter in your home, if you have one clean or replace filters according to manufacturer recommendations make your own portable air cleaner, if you don’t have one (the EPA offers DIY information on how to do so) Training from the EHC Program The EHC Program invites child care professionals to participate in a short nano learning course on air quality. About the EHC Program The EHC Program is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded program under the Division of Environmental Health Epidemiology (DEHE) with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. EHC seeks to provide outreach and education on topics related to children’s environmental health. About the Learning Course on Air Quality The nano learning course should take a few minutes minutes to complete and provides an overview of what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) is, why it is important, and how it can be included in your classroom plans and activities. After completing the training, please complete a survey to inform future outreach efforts to childcare providers. The survey is a total of four questions. If you have comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact the EHC Program at dehe@pa.gov. Access the Learning Course on Air Quality Interested ECE educators can access the EHC Program learning course on air quality on YouTube. Resources to Support the Course Resources to support the learning course include: Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution Air Quality Guide for Ozone Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools What Color is Your Air Today? Activity Sheet Air Quality Activity Coloring Sheet Why is Coco Orange book Learn More Visit www.airnow.gov to find the latest air quality levels and recommendations for your location. To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key Tips or Pennsylvania Key Training webpages.
June 1, 2023 Resources for June Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for June observances: Month-Long Observances Caribbean American Heritage Month Caribbean American History and Culture, U.S. Department of the Interior Global Diasporas: Contemporary African and Caribbean Migration – Organizations & Resources in Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Library System On the Town: Celebrating Caribbean American Heritage, PBS Top 10 Caribbean American Heritage Month Activities, Twinkl 19 Books to Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage, Scholastic Caribbean American Heritage Month Lesson Plans, Share My Lesson Anti-Racism Tools, Trying Together Inclusive Language Guidelines, American Psychological Association (APA) National Men’s Health Month 5-Minute Guide to Men’s Mental Health, Mental Health America Man 2.0: Normalizing Self-Care for Men, Healthline Gay and Bisexual Men’s Health: Recommendations for A Healthier You, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Trans Men Health Screening Recommendations, AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) Resources for Supporting Physical Activity, Nutrition, Play and More, Action for Healthy Kids Promoting the Physical Health of Boys (and Girls), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National PTSD Awareness Month Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) When a Child’s Parent has PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs It’s Not Just Exhaustion: When Parenting Causes PTSD, Healthline Allegheny County Crisis Response Resources, Allegheny County Department of Human Services Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After a Recent Shooting, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Pride Month Pittsburgh Pride 2023, Pittsburgh Pride Revolution 6 Things LGBTQ Youth Want Allies To Do This Pride, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLESEN) Sharing Pride Month with Kids: 9 Ways to Celebrate Pride Month, Boys & Girls Clubs of America LGBTQ Activism and Contributions, Library of Congress The LGBTQ+ Experience, PBS Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Gender, Gender Identity, and LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Trying Together Physical and Mental Health Services Related to the LGBTQ Community, Allegheny County Department of Human Services LGBTQ+ Youth Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) LGBTQ Resource List, GLAAD Here’s How to be an Ally to the LGBTQ Community, USA Today Pronoun Guide, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLESEN) LGBTQ Glossary, John Hopkins University: Diversity and Inclusion Resources Child Vision Awareness Month 6 Ways to Be Proactive About Your Child’s Eye Health, John Hopkins Medicine Keep an Eye on Your Child’s Vision, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resources for Parents of Blind and Low-Vision Children, Library of Congress: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Early Childhood Inclusion, Trying Together Parenting with a Visual Impairment, BBC Parenting Without Sight: What Attorneys and Social Workers Should Know About Blindness, National Federation of the Blind Accessing Audio Books, Teaching Students with Visual Impairments How to Get Free Audio Books for the Blind and Visually Impaired, The Braille Institute 25+ Children’s Books Featuring Visually Impaired Characters, WonderBaby Weeks of Recognition June 1 – 7 is CPR & AED Awareness Week CPR Facts & Statistics, American Heart Association How to Perform Child and Baby CPR, American Red Cross Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 Partnering to Offer First Aid & CPR Training, ELRC Region 5 June 12 – 18 is National Men’s Health Week 5 Ways to Celebrate Men’s Health Week, National Foundation for Cancer Research How To Support Men For National Men’s Health Week, Better Health The Masculinity Project, John Hopkins University A Father’s Guide to Raising Good Men, CNN See additional resources under “National Men’s Health Month.” Days of Recognition June 18 is Father’s Day 53 Best Father’s Day Activities That’ll Be Fun for the Whole Family, Good Housekeeping The 8 Best Things Dads Can Do for Themselves in Honor of Father’s Day, Everyday Health Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Caring for the Caregiver, Trying Together What Father’s Day Means to a Transgender Parent, NPR Column: Fatherhood Takes Many Forms, Traditional and Not, These Days, Los Angeles Times Father’s Day When Father Isn’t There, L.A. Parent June 19 is Juneteenth Juneteenth: The History of a Holiday, The New York Times Pittsburgh Celebrates Juneteenth Freedom Day, Visit Pittsburgh 5 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth With Your Family, PBS Kids for Parents 20 Educational Resources and Activities for Teaching Juneteenth, Teaching Expertise NMAAHC Kids: Understanding & Celebrating Juneteenth, National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) Children’s Books to Honor Juneteenth and Black History, Harper Collins Publishers Top 10 Children’s Books on Freedom, Bookroo Juneteenth Resources, The Smithsonian Institution How Do You Explain Slavery to Kids?, National Geographic Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence, The Child Mind Institute Anti-Racism Resources for Families, Trying Together June 27 is National PTSD Awareness Day What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?, National Institute of Mental Health Resources on Trauma for Caregivers and Families, Child Welfare Information Gateway Multilingual Trauma Resources, The Child Mind Institute Children’s Books for Coping with Abuse and Trauma, Creating a Family See additional resources under, “National PTSD Awareness Month.”
May 11, 2023 Child Care Providers Invited to Complete Environmental Health Survey The Healthy Childcare Partnership (HCP), a statewide group of child care organizations, is asking child care providers in Pennsylvania to complete their Childcare Programs Environmental Health Survey. The survey aims to gauge interest in, and need for, training and policies that keep children and staff healthy. Participating providers must submit their surveys by Friday, May 19. About The Healthy Childcare Partnership The Healthy Childcare Partnership was founded by Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) in 2022 as part of a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Funds for the grant were provided by the American Rescue Plan (ARP). These funds aimed to support children’s environmental health by building capacity through activities that identify and address disproportionate environmental or public health harms and risks in underserved communities. WHE was one of four organizations to receive a grant. In receiving one, the organization committed to developing HCP. Additionally, it agreed to complete over 200 eco-healthy assessments aimed at mitigating environmental risks in child care centers. Complete the Survey Interested individuals must complete the survey on the University of Pennsylvania website, or via the link on the PD Registry Facebook page. The survey closes Friday, May 19. Learn More To learn more about the Healthy Childcare Partnership or EPA grant, visit the EPA website. For more information about the survey, contact the Pennsylvania Key.
April 13, 2023 Anxiety Disorder Fact Sheets for Educators and Childcare Providers Anxiety disorders cause people to feel frightened, distressed, or uneasy during situations in which most people would not feel that way. Left untreated, anxiety disorders can make it hard for students to get schoolwork done or study. It may affect their relationships with peers and teachers, too. In some cases, students with anxiety disorders miss a lot of school days. Or they may avoid school altogether. Nemours KidsHealth has compiled common anxiety disorder facts sheets that affect children. Anxiety Disorder Fact Sheets Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). With GAD, children have many worries and worry much of the time. They may also have physical symptoms, like headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, or tiredness. Phobias. A phobia is an intense, unrealistic fear of a specific thing. Some kids have a phobia of dogs. Others have a phobia of spiders or snakes. A child with a phobia will go to great lengths to avoid the thing they fear. Social anxiety. Kids and teens with social phobia have an intense fear of being judged. It affects them in social or other situations. They will avoid situations where they may have to meet new people or perform. Selective mutism. Some students are too fearful to talk at all in certain situations. Kids and teens with selective mutism are able to talk, and talk well. But they are too fearful to talk in some situations outside their home or with people other than friends. Panic disorder. Some students have panic attacks, a sudden and intense episode of fear. They can include physical symptoms like a pounding heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Panic attacks can happen unexpectedly. Separation anxiety. It’s normal for babies and very young children to have some separation anxiety when they are apart from a parent or caregiver. But when separation anxiety lasts beyond the early school age years, students may have trouble coming to school. Educators and child care providers can also access the Anxiety Disorder Fact Sheet information in Spanish.
March 6, 2023 Community Strategies for Vaccine Equity for Young Children Penn State Extension Better Kid Care and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) invite child care program directors, educators, and caregivers to this informative panel discussion on effective strategies for advancing vaccine equity for young children in early childhood programs. At this event, Dr. Timothy Shope, M.D., MPH. will join Anna Rutins, project manager at CDC Partners for Vaccine Equity, Presbyterian Community Health, Presbyterian Healthcare Systems, to share examples of community strategies to support the vaccination of young children. Session Details Wednesday, March 22 | 1 – 2 p.m. Virtual Register Learn More To learn more, visit the Penn State Extension Better Kid Care website.