September 11, 2020 Keystone Scholars Helps Families Save for Higher Education In 2019, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department started investing $100 for every baby born or adopted in Pennsylvania to be used for the baby’s future higher education expenses through a new program called Keystone Scholars. About the Program To encourage families to plan early for their child’s future education, Keystone Scholars will provide $100 to all babies born or adopted in Pennsylvania on or after January 1, 2019. With Pennsylvanians currently having the highest debt load per person of any state in the nation, Keystone Scholars is meant to help families jumpstart their education savings as soon as possible. Studies show that a child with education savings is three times more likely to enroll in a two- or four-year college and is four times more likely to graduate. The $100 will be invested by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department and will grow through the years right alongside your child. The Keystone Scholars account can be used for qualified expenses when your child pursues education after high school. These expenses include tuition, fees, books, and more at vocational and technical schools, community colleges, two-year colleges, and four-year colleges. Eligibility All children born to or adopted by a Pennsylvania family on or after January 1, 2019. Requirements The child must be a Pennsylvania resident at birth and at the same time that Keystone Scholars funds are used. For babies born in or after 2019, families must create a PA 529 College and Career Savings Program Account in their child’s name before using funds from their Keystone Scholar account. Funds not used by the beneficiary’s 29th birthday will be returned to Pennsylvania’s Treasury Department. Registration To register, visit the Keystone Scholars website. New and expecting parents will be able to register for online access within 3-4 months after the child’s birth using information from your child’s PA state birth certificate. Learn More To learn more about the program, visit the Keystone Scholars website or call 800.440.4000. The following recorded webinars are available as well to answer frequently asked questions. Share this informational PDF with your network.
September 1, 2020 Virtual Community of Practice Meetings Are you interested in discussing topics of interest and current trends with fellow professionals in the early childhood field? Join ELRC Region 5 for their virtual Community of Practice sessions! About Community of Practice sessions provide early learning professionals with opportunities to discuss topics of interest, current trends in the early childhood field, and offer insight and inspiration to their fellow professionals. In November, these virtual sessions will discuss how to create Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) plans using approved program observation instruments, creating goals from the results of those instruments, identifying the steps it will take to reach the goals, and who is responsible for ensuring the goal is implemented. Participants will learn about the importance of including staffs’ professional development plans and how to use the CQI throughout the whole year. Available Sessions Saturday, November 14: Continuous Quality Improvement Plan 10 a.m. | Zoom Meetings | Attend the Session Thursday, November 19: Continuous Quality Improvement Plan 10 a.m. | Zoom Meetings | Attend the Session 1 p.m. | Zoom Meetings | Attend the Session More Information For questions, contact ELRC Region 5 at elrc5@alleghenycounty.us or 412.350.3577. Share this flyer with your network.
Virtual Community of Practice Meetings Are you interested in discussing topics of interest and current trends with fellow professionals in the early childhood field? Join ELRC Region 5 for their virtual Community of Practice sessions! About Community of Practice sessions provide early learning professionals with opportunities to discuss topics of interest, current trends in the early childhood field, and offer insight and inspiration to their fellow professionals. Each session in December will feature a Q&A with ELRC Region 5 Quality Coaches who will answer questions about the Keystone STARS Performance Standards. The Keystone STARS program is a responsive system to improve, support, and recognize the continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts of early learning programs in Pennsylvania. ELRC Region 5 Quality Coaches are also able to offer support to providers who participate in the Keystone STARS program. Available Sessions Saturday, December 12: Keystone STARS Performance Standards Q & A 10 a.m. | Zoom Meeting | Attend the Session Thursday, December 17: Keystone STARS Performance Standards Q & A 10 a.m. | Zoom Meeting | Attend the Session 1 p.m. | Zoom Meetings | Attend the Session More Information For questions, contact ELRC Region 5 at elrc5@alleghenycounty.us or 412.350.3577. Share this flyer with your network.
August 31, 2020 Virtual Community of Practice Meetings Are you interested in discussing topics of interest and current trends with fellow professionals in the early childhood field? Join ELRC Region 5 for their virtual Community of Practice sessions! About Community of Practice sessions provide early learning professionals with opportunities to discuss topics of interest, current trends in the early childhood field, and offer insight and inspiration to their fellow professionals. In October, these virtual sessions will focus on tips, how-tos, and tools for participants to navigate through Provider Self Service (PSS), where you can apply for or renew child care licensing, submit ELRC online attendance invoices, submit Keystone STARS requests, and update provider profiles; and STARS Management and Reliability Tracking (SMART), a document uploader for the Keystone STARS Designation process. Available Sessions Saturday, October 10: SMART Document Uploader, Provider Self Service & Keystone STARS Supporting Documents 10 a.m. | Zoom Meetings | Attend the Session Thursday, October 15: SMART Document Uploader, Provider Self Service & Keystone STARS Supporting Documents 10 a.m. | Zoom Meetings | Attend the Session 1 p.m. | Zoom Meetings | Attend the Session More Information For questions, contact ELRC Region 5 at elrc5@alleghenycounty.us or 412.350.3577. Share this flyer with your network.
Virtual Community of Practice Meetings Are you interested in discussing topics of interest and current trends with fellow professionals in the early childhood field? Join ELRC Region 5 for their virtual Community of Practice sessions! About Community of Practice sessions provide early learning professionals with opportunities to discuss topics of interest, current trends in the early childhood field, and offer insight and inspiration to their fellow professionals. In September, these virtual sessions will discuss the most current school-age care updates, information, trends, resources, and professional development opportunities. Participants will connect with out-of-school-time partners and professionals, and they will receive support as new or existing school-age care programs. The session will also focus on supporting virtual learning, daily schedules, and keeping the children engaged. Available Sessions Saturday, September 12: School-Age Care Updates 10 a.m. | Zoom Meetings | Attend the Session Thursday, September 17: School-Age Care Updates 10 a.m. | Zoom Meetings | Attend the Session 1 p.m. | Zoom Meetings | Attend the Session More Information For questions, contact ELRC Region 5 at elrc5@alleghenycounty.us or 412.350.3577. Share this flyer with your network.
August 13, 2020 Community Check-Up Every first Wednesday of the month, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in collaboration with the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will host an advanced practice provider and pediatrician see children and young adults ages birth–26 years old at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. Services provided are at no out-of-pocket cost. Available Services Services include: • Asthma and Allergy Care Check-Ups • Driver Permit Physicals • Hearing and Vision Screens • Immunizations and Flu Shots • Lead and Anemia Screenings • Mental Health Services and Resources • Needs-Based Resources • Sick Child Visits • Sports Physicals and Physical Exams • WIC Forms Schedule An Appointment Appointments occur on the first Wednesday of each month from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. 7219 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Please contact 412.310.7114 to schedule an appointment.
Community Check-Up Every first Wednesday of the month, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in collaboration with the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will host an advanced practice provider and pediatrician see children and young adults ages birth–26 years old at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. Services provided are at no out-of-pocket cost. Available Services Services include: • Asthma and Allergy Care Check-Ups • Driver Permit Physicals • Hearing and Vision Screens • Immunizations and Flu Shots • Lead and Anemia Screenings • Mental Health Services and Resources • Needs-Based Resources • Sick Child Visits • Sports Physicals and Physical Exams • WIC Forms Schedule An Appointment Appointments occur on the first Wednesday of each month from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. 7219 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Please contact 412.310.7114 to schedule an appointment.
Community Check-Up Every first Wednesday of the month, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in collaboration with the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will host an advanced practice provider and pediatrician see children and young adults ages birth–26 years old at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. Services provided are at no out-of-pocket cost. Available Services Services include: • Asthma and Allergy Care Check-Ups • Driver Permit Physicals • Hearing and Vision Screens • Immunizations and Flu Shots • Lead and Anemia Screenings • Mental Health Services and Resources • Needs-Based Resources • Sick Child Visits • Sports Physicals and Physical Exams • WIC Forms Schedule An Appointment Appointments occur on the first Wednesday of each month from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. 7219 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Please contact 412.310.7114 to schedule an appointment.
Community Check-Up Every first Wednesday of the month, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in collaboration with the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will host an advanced practice provider and pediatrician see children and young adults ages birth–26 years old at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. Services provided are at no out-of-pocket cost. Available Services Services include: • Asthma and Allergy Care Check-Ups • Driver Permit Physicals • Hearing and Vision Screens • Immunizations and Flu Shots • Lead and Anemia Screenings • Mental Health Services and Resources • Needs-Based Resources • Sick Child Visits • Sports Physicals and Physical Exams • WIC Forms Schedule An Appointment Appointments occur on the first Wednesday of each month from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. 7219 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Please contact 412.310.7114 to schedule an appointment.
Community Check-Up Every first Wednesday of the month, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in collaboration with the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will host an advanced practice provider and pediatrician see children and young adults ages birth–26 years old at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. Services provided are at no out-of-pocket cost. Available Services Services include: • Asthma and Allergy Care Check-Ups • Driver Permit Physicals • Hearing and Vision Screens • Immunizations and Flu Shots • Lead and Anemia Screenings • Mental Health Services and Resources • Needs-Based Resources • Sick Child Visits • Sports Physicals and Physical Exams • WIC Forms Schedule An Appointment Appointments occur on the first Wednesday of each month from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. 7219 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Please contact 412.310.7114 to schedule an appointment.
