December 9, 2019 STARS 101 & 102 STARS 101 & 102 is a web-based course that meets the requirement for STAR 2 SQ.2.1 Part 1 and Part 2. It is an introduction to the idea of Continuous Quality Improvement which is the basic premise for the Keystone STARS Quality Rating System. In addition to the philosophy of CQI, the process of change and how to begin your journey through the Keystone STARS system will be discussed. About The following elements of assessing and building quality will be covered: Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies and Big Ideas Framework, Continuous Quality Improvement, PA Early Learning Standards, and Caring for Our Children Basics (CFOCB) as a resource and supporting interactions with children and families. This is a live, interactive webinar. PQAS hours offered. Participants are expected to fully participate; this is not a log-in and leave event. Arriving 15 minutes late may result in no credit for the session. Please note, no refunds will be provided for cancellation or no show. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to: identify the benefits of continuous quality improvement through Keystone STARS, for children families and programs; identify what determines STAR Designation; describe Program Observation Instruments (POI) used for STARS designation; identify and implement the Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies/Big Ideas Framework; identify and implement PA Early Learning Standards; identify and implement Caring for our Children Basics practices; identify and implement assessment tools that support program quality; and identify and implement interactions with children and families. Available Dates To access this course, use the links below or enter the event ID on the Pennsylvania PD Registry website. April 25, 2020 | 2 – 6 p.m. | Event ID: 310927 April 28, 2020 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Event ID: 312525 April 30, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 308103 May 4, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 312528 May 11, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 312532 May 22, 2020 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Event ID: 312533 May 27, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 308106 May 30, 2020 | 1:15 – 5:15 p.m. | Event ID: 311278 June 3, 2020 | 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Event ID: 312725 June 29, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 308107 More Information For questions, please contact Karen Rucker at 717.314.8368 or krucker@respectingchildren.com. *Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key
STARS 101 & 102 STARS 101 & 102 is a web-based course that meets the requirement for STAR 2 SQ.2.1 Part 1 and Part 2. It is an introduction to the idea of Continuous Quality Improvement which is the basic premise for the Keystone STARS Quality Rating System. In addition to the philosophy of CQI, the process of change and how to begin your journey through the Keystone STARS system will be discussed. About The following elements of assessing and building quality will be covered: Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies and Big Ideas Framework, Continuous Quality Improvement, PA Early Learning Standards, and Caring for Our Children Basics (CFOCB) as a resource and supporting interactions with children and families. This is a live, interactive webinar. PQAS hours offered. Participants are expected to fully participate; this is not a log-in and leave event. Arriving 15 minutes late may result in no credit for the session. Please note, no refunds will be provided for cancellation or no show. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to: identify the benefits of continuous quality improvement through Keystone STARS, for children families and programs; identify what determines STAR Designation; describe Program Observation Instruments (POI) used for STARS designation; identify and implement the Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies/Big Ideas Framework; identify and implement PA Early Learning Standards; identify and implement Caring for our Children Basics practices; identify and implement assessment tools that support program quality; and identify and implement interactions with children and families. Available Dates To access this course, use the links below or enter the event ID on the Pennsylvania PD Registry website. April 25, 2020 | 2 – 6 p.m. | Event ID: 310927 April 28, 2020 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Event ID: 312525 April 30, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 308103 May 4, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 312528 May 11, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 312532 May 22, 2020 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Event ID: 312533 May 27, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 308106 May 30, 2020 | 1:15 – 5:15 p.m. | Event ID: 311278 June 3, 2020 | 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Event ID: 312725 June 29, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 308107 More Information For questions, please contact Karen Rucker at 717.314.8368 or krucker@respectingchildren.com. *Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key
Project WET: Getting Little Feet WET Project WET: Getting Little Feet WET is a workshop that provides early childhood educators with developmentally appropriate water-based curriculum and activities for their early childhood classrooms. This Project WET course is led by an approved professional development instructor and offers Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS) hours. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to: Properly utilize the Project WET educator guide as a curriculum reference; Participate in four Project WET activities that can be utilized in an early childhood classroom; and Walk away with at least 10 new ways to incorporate water into the early childhood classroom. Register For Project WET: Getting Little Feet WET To register and learn more, visit the Pennsylvania PD Registry website. A C2 level course, this Project WET workshop offers the following PQAS hours: Principles of Child Growth & Development (1 Hour) Social & Emotional Development (5 Hours) Child Growth and Development (1 Hour) Curriculum and Learning Experiences (5 Hours) PD Registry Event ID: 306839 More Information Please visit the Allegheny Land Trust website to schedule this workshop for your center or location and obtain pricing. Email Julie Travaglini at 412.741.2750 or jtravaglini@alleghenylandtrust.org for more information. For more events like this, click here. *Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key
Project WET: Getting Little Feet WET This Project WET workshop will provide early childhood educators with developmentally appropriate water-based curriculum and activities for their early childhood classrooms. PQAS hours offered. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to: properly utilize the Project WET: Getting Little Feet WET educator guide as a curriculum reference; participate in four Project WET activities that can be utilized in an early childhood classroom; and walk away with at least 10 new ways to incorporate water into the early childhood classroom. Registration To register and learn more, visit the Pennsylvania PD Registry website. PD Registry Event ID: 306821 More Information Please visit the Allegheny Land Trust website to schedule this workshop for your center or location and for pricing. Email Julie Travaglini at 412.741.2750 or jtravaglini@alleghenylandtrust.org for more information. For more courses like this, please click here. *Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key
December 5, 2019 Trying Together Releases Professional Development Catalog Focusing on early childhood professionals working in home-, center-, and school-based settings, Trying Together offers existing and customized growth opportunities targeted to individual or group goals, interests, and needs. To increase awareness of these opportunities, Trying Together developed an online, printable 2019-2020 Professional Development Catalog that features course titles, descriptions, Core Knowledge Competency (CKC) alignments, and more. About For more than 55 years, Trying Together has supported the work of early childhood with a dedication to making sure every caregiver feels valued. In pursuit of this vision, Trying Together not only offers courses that always provide Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS) and Act 48 credits, but also offers a plethora of professional growth opportunities, resources, and services. With this, Trying Together partnered with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services in summer 2019 to manage quality support for all Allegheny County early learning programs serviced by Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5. As part of this work, we are continuing and enhancing our commitment to providing quality services and supports that meet the unique needs of our region’s early care and education professionals. This work includes making our course catalog available publicly. With the year almost over, we are working to update and add more course offerings to ensure we are meeting the demands of both the field and new quality ratings and standards set by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s (OCDEL) Keystone STARS Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). In early 2020, we plan to release a comprehensive update to this catalog. In the interim, we look forward to working together with you to support your goals and improve quality at your early learning program. View the 2019-2020 Professional Development Catalog. Core Knowledge Competencies (CKCs) Trying Together’s courses align with the following Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies: K1: Child Growth and Development K2: Curriculum and Learning Experiences K3: Family, School, and Community Collaborations and Partnerships K4: Assessment K5: Communication K6: Professionalism and Leadership K8: Program Organization and Administration Featured Focus Areas To assist professionals in identifying relevant courses, the Catalog sorts listings into the following focus areas: Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) Diversity & Inclusion Interactions Leadership Play All Trying Together courses provide PQAS and Act 48 credit. Request Professional Services To request professional services, please submit our online request form or contact Professional Development Manager Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org or 412.567.3933. More Information For more information, contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org or 412.567.3933.
November 18, 2019 Communication Basics Using Online Technology This course is designed to provide early educators with the basic tools of communication, using online technology. Electronic communication and organizational applications such as email, social media, internet research, and basic computation skills will be discussed and contextualized to the early learning environment. Sample templates and resources will be distributed throughout the session to allow participants to continue practicing and strengthening their electronic communication skills upon completion of the course. Two PQAS and ACT 48 credit hours offered. Materials Required Preferred Electronic Device (laptop, iPad, tablet, phone, etc.) Registration To register, complete the form below. More Information For questions, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
November 13, 2019 Creating Patterns of Pride with Batik K-12 educators are invited to join the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on January 11, 2020, for “Creating Patterns of Pride with Batik.” About Join the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to explore how patterns exist across cultures and how you can bring your own, as well as your students’ cultural identity into original pattern designs. Using resistance and color, participants will learn how to accurately reproduce repeating patterns to create a unique batik wall hanging. You will leave with resources to guide you on connecting culturally responsive teaching to arts integration and STEAM. This workshop is intended for K-12 Educators. ACT 48 and PQAS hours available. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.
November 11, 2019 PD Registry & Career Pathway | Director Webinar Join Pennsylvania (PA) PD Registry and Career Pathway staff at the Pennsylvania Key on December 4 for their webinar, “PD Registry and Career Pathway Information for Directors.” About This webinar seeks to support program directors in their effort to help their staff use PA’s PD Registry and understand the ECE Career Pathway. Featured topics include completing a PD Registry profile, uploading education documents, and submitting information to be placed on the Career Pathway. More information on Pennsylvania’s Quality Initiatives for the Early Childhood Education workforce will be provided. Registration To learn more and register, visit the event webpage. More Information For questions, call 1.800.284.6031 or email registry@pakeys.org.
November 8, 2019 Pennsylvania Announces 2019 Market Rate Survey The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) invites all Pennsylvania certified child care providers to participate in the 2019 Market Rate Survey. About Every three years, states conduct a Market Rate Survey (MRS) to update information regarding the prices child care providers charge families. With the last official MRS conducted in 2016, OCDEL invites all certified child care providers in Pennsylvania to submit their published private pay rates. By providing this information, child care providers help OCDEL paint a more accurate picture of child care prices in Pennsylvania and will provide an important database to compare private pay prices with the Child Care Works reimbursement base rates. How to Participate The survey is available online from October 7 through December 30, 2019 within the PELICAN Provider Self-Service Portal. Participation will require a username and password to enter. For assistance on enrolling in Provider Self-Service or updating your child care prices if you do not have access to Provider Self-Service, contact your local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). Information from all child care providers is important, even if your private pay prices have not changed. If your prices remained the same, please update the “effective date” within the Provider Self-Service Portal. Any changes made between October 7 and December 30, 2019 will be included. Click here for instructions on how to complete the Survey using Provider Self-Service. Frequently Asked Questions What is the Market Rate Survey? In order to comply with federal requirements and continue to draw down federal dollars from the Child Care Development Block Grant for the operation of the Child Care Works (CCW) child care subsidy program, OCDEL is required to complete a periodic Market Rate Survey (MRS). The MRS collects information from all regulated child care providers about their published private pay rates. Providers should participate in the MRS and confirm or report updates to their private pay rates using Provider Self Service (PSS) or, if not enrolled in PSS, by contacting their Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). What does the term “market rate” mean? The “market rate” is interpreted as the rate which families are asked to pay, and which is published in program literature. The market rate does not reflect any discounts. Will I be audited for updating my published rates? Probably not. OCDEL has required verification in the past, and ELRCs have on occasion called a sampling of providers to check, but this is not the plan for this year’s MRS. However, providers should still only share published rates that they can verify if needed, and is the rate charged to most families. What qualifies as a “discount?” “Discounts” reflect allowances for families to pay a lower rate. For example, Comcast advertises its rate to clients, but frequently offers specials and discounts for loyal customers and new clients. Child care providers who typically charge $100 but who can offer discounts and specials to lower the price to $80 should still report their rate as $100. The MRS is not designed to capture any discounts that individual providers may choose to offer; it captures ONLY a provider’s published private pay rate. What do they mean by “published?” “Publishing” includes your website, your family handbook, any written contracts, or the rate visible on COMPASS. What is the Child Care Works (CCW) reimbursement rate? The Child Care Works (CCW) reimbursement rate is the rate that providers are reimbursed by the state for providing care to children who are eligible for CCW. This rate is based on the current market rate as provided through the MRS and is determined in part during the appropriations process. Because many providers also serve children who are not eligible for CCW reimbursement, providers must maintain a separate market rate for private pay families, and report this rate when completing their MRS rather than the CCW reimbursement rate. Why participate in the Market Rate Survey? It is important that each provider updates their private pay rates so that OCDEL has the necessary data to consider future Child Care Works base rate increases. Learn More To learn more, view the full announcement or contact your local ELRC. *Information provided by OCDEL
October 25, 2019 What’s It Really Worth? How to Run a Profitable Child Care Business In this professional development course, participants will learn the basic principles of operating the business of a child care program. Strategies to maximize profits and minimize expenses, public funding sources, and STARS participation effects will be highlighted. This session is intended for program directors of centers, family child care homes, and group child care homes. Course Timeline: November 11 – December 9, 2019 CKC: D8.4 C2, D8.2 C3, D8.7 Keystone STARS Alignment: LM. 2.1 / CDA:5 and 6 Four professional development hours available after completion. Limited spaces are available. Questions For more information on how to register, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network. Registration To register, complete the form below.
