November 20, 2019 Grandparents Caring for Young Children Need Support Across the United States of America, grandparents are struggling to make ends meet after claiming custody over their grandchildren. While, in many cases, these grandparents are claiming custody to keep their grandchildren safe, healthy, and supported, many are doing so with little to no support. In her article, Grandparents Caring for Their Grandchildren Happens for a Variety of Reasons, Susan Pena explores this complex issue. About In her article, Susan Pena expresses that the opioid crisis is far-reaching, with many having friends, family members, or loved ones who have been affected. With this, some of the most at-risk individuals impacted by this crisis are the children of adults struggling with addiction and the challenges that come with it. Pena states that “often grandparents are on the front lines of this crisis, raising their grandchildren–or even, in some cases, great-grandchildren, while struggling with their own financial and health issues.” Many are doing it with little to no outside support. Grandparents and older family members can claim primary custody over relative children for many reasons, some of which include: the incarceration or death of a loved one, loved ones impacted by substance use or addiction, and unsafe living conditions for a young child. In her powerful piece, Pena highlights three real-life stories of grandparent caregivers. Read the full article to learn more. What You Can Do KinConnector Helpline If you’re a grandparent caregiver seeking support, call the KinConnector Helpline at 866.546.2111 for more information on resources, including help with financial, health, and legal issues; training and parental advice; and nearby support groups. The Helpline is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trying Together Grandparent Council If you’re a grandparent who is interested in working to ensure all young children receive high-quality care and education, consider joining Trying Together’s Grandparent Council. The Council meets monthly to: learn more about the importance of early childhood education, receive guidance and support in identifying high-quality early learning environments, and learn how to advocate for the well-being of all children in our communities. Visit our Grandparent Council page to learn more. More Information To read the full article, visit the Reading Eagle website.
October 11, 2019 Trying Together Launches Grandparent Council Join early childhood nonprofit Trying Together and become a member of the Grandparent Council! About The Grandparent Council works to ensure all young children receive high-quality care and education. Meeting monthly at varying locations, grandparents: learn more about the importance of an early childhood education, receive guidance and support in identifying high-quality early learning environments, and learn how to advocate for the well-being of all children in our communities. Meetings will include a conference call option. Visit the Grandparent Council page for more information. Join the Council To sign-on and learn more, interested grandparents can: register using the Trying Together Councils page (https://tryingtogether.org/councils/) print, fill-out, and mail this form to: ATTN: Grandparent Council 5604 Solway Street Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or print, fill-out, scan, and email this form to: info@tryingtogether.org More Information For questions, contact Lindsey Ramsey at 412.567.4173 or lindsey@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
October 10, 2019 Councils Councils play a significant role in Trying Together’s efforts to advocate for high-quality early learning environments. By utilizing their perspectives and, in some cases, professional expertise, Council members help Trying Together approach early learning policy challenges and engage policymakers in thoughtful ways that affect positive change. Use your voice for young children, families, and your community by joining our Council today! Grandparent Council The Grandparent Council helps to ensure that all young children receive high-quality care and education. Members meet monthly through virtual Zoom meetings to: learn more about the importance of an early childhood education; receive guidance and support in identifying high-quality early learning environments; and learn how to advocate for the well-being of all children in our communities. Join the Council To join Trying Together’s Grandparent Council, please complete and submit the online sign-up form. If you are unable to complete the online form, mail and email options are available as well. Submit The Form Via Mail If you would like to submit the form via mail, please print, fill-out, and mail this form (PDF) to: ATTN: Grandparent Council 5604 Solway Street Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Submit The Form Via Email If you would like to submit the form via email, please print, scan, and email this form (PDF) to info@tryingtogether.org. More Information For questions, contact Public Policy Regional Coordinator Lindsey Ramsey at 412.567.4173 or lindsey@tryingtogether.org.
May 2, 2019 2019 PA Community Alliance Summit The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council invites you to a day of networking, discovering alliances and collaboration building among diverse organizations throughout Pennsylvania led by and/or supporting underserved/unserved populations who experience marginalization and oppression. About the Summit Oppression affects many of us, for different socially constructed reasons: racism, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual identity and orientation, disability, economics, rural/urban location, religion, and so much more. Although our discrimination experiences may be different, we can be a valuable support and resource to each other in our struggles for equality, inclusion, and social justice. Join the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council on May 21 and 22 to participate in the discussion. This year, the Summit will focus on the goal of meeting and engaging new potential allies, stimulating learning from one another, and exploring opportunities for partnerships and collaboration. Download the Summit agenda. Registration Registration is free and may be accessed via the event page. Availability is on a first come first serve basis. More information on the event, hotel accommodations, travel, and more can be found on the event page. Questions For questions, contact Dana Thompson at 717.214.8103 or danathomps@pa.gov.
February 26, 2019 Councilperson Strassburger Introduces Legislation to Combat Pregnancy Discrimination Today, Pittsburgh City Councilperson Erika Strassburger announced the introduction of legislation to safeguard employment protections for pregnant employees, individuals seeking to become pregnant, and their partners. In addition, the City of Pittsburgh’s Commission on Human Relations released an accompanying Guidance Document to empower employers to take steps to prevent discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions and events. Strassburger’s Statement “Employees should not be forced to choose between their livelihood and their reproductive decisions. My legislation ensures that pregnant workers, regardless of whether they work in a corporate office, a retail store, or a warehouse, can work in a safe and comfortable environment, attend medical appointments, and sustain a healthy pregnancy without fear of losing their job or benefits,” said Councilperson Strassburger. “I encourage employers citywide to review the Guidance Document to help prevent pregnancy-based discrimination from ever occurring.” Details and Impact Councilperson Strassburger’s legislation would explicitly prohibit employment discrimination against pregnant individuals, those seeking to become pregnant, and their partners before, during, and after the nine-month gestation period and after childbirth. This change to the City Code may require employers to provide reasonable modifications to employees’ workspaces and offer justifiable flexibility in scheduling to allow employees and their partners to attend procedures, tests, and other appointments associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. A copy of the legislation is available here. With this change, Pittsburgh would become one of the first jurisdictions nationwide to clearly safeguard employment protections for the partners of pregnant employees. Additionally, the legislation would make Pittsburgh one of few cities to guarantee employment protections for related events that occur before, during, and after gestation and after childbirth. View the entire press release here. Those who feel they may have been treated unfairly are encouraged to call the Commission on Human Relations (CHR) at 412-255-2600 or visit http://pittsburghpa.gov/chr/ for more information. The CHR also offers free training and resources for employers.
November 16, 2018 NAEYC Invites ECE Professionals to #ProtectFamilies In today’s world, each new day brings an onslaught of information, images, data, and stories. While immigrant families with young children may cycle in and out of the front pages, the need for early childhood educators from all backgrounds to stand together to protect and support them continues to capture our time and attention. As an active member of the Protecting Immigrant Families campaign, NAEYC continues to stand against family separation, and to stand in opposition to the new proposed regulation on “public charge,” which they believe would punish parents and harm children. With stories of two-year-olds in court and tent cities on the border, NAEYC remains deeply concerned about what has happened and what will happen to the hundreds of children still separated from their families, as well as what will happen to the families yet to be detained. Opportunities to Stay Informed and Advocate Watch this webinar from NAEYC and CLASP that outlines the roles and responsibilities early childhood educators have in working with immigrant families. Write comments in opposition to the public charge regulation. Learn more and, if you are ready, submit your comments today. You can also wait until NAEYC is able to share additional templates and language specific to early childhood education and educators. (Stay tuned, and check out this great Q & A from CLASP for the early childhood community in the meantime!) Support Save the Children, which has partnered with the American Immigration Council and the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) Immigration Justice Campaign, and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) to assist family reunification efforts. Vote and pledge to vote by taking part in the “Our Votes. Their Futures.” campaign. Speak Up, Speak Out If you believe in a world in which all young children can thrive and learn, our society must be dedicated to ensuring that they reach their full potential. This world does not include incarcerating children, separating them from their families, or forcing families to stop accessing critical services and supports because they are afraid. Rather, NAEYC understands and upholds the bonds between children and their families, and, as advocates, calls for individuals to speak up and out to defend those bonds. Recognize the power of your voice and actions, and stay engaged as NAEYC members move forward on this and many other issues facing our children, families, and educators. *Information provided by NAEYC*
