News

June 29, 2023

Resources for July 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 July observances:

Month-Long Observances

National Parks and Recreation Month

National Make a Difference to Children Month

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Days of Recognition

July 4 is Independence Day

July 14 is International Non-Binary People’s Day

July 24 is National Parents’ Day

July 25 is World Drowning Prevention Day

July 26 is National Disability Independence Day

News

April 11, 2023

Review and Comment Period Now Open for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is inviting families, community members, child care providers, early childhood educators, and other professionals to review and make comments on the 2023 proposed grant application for Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The review and comment period is now open and closes on Friday, April 28.

About IDEA, IDEA Part C, and the IDEA Part C Application

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal grant program that assists states in providing early intervention and school-aged services to children with special needs. Part C of IDEA (also known as the Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program) provides early intervention services for children from birth through 36 months of age.

Through the IDEA Part C application, children from birth to 36 months of age who have special needs due to developmental delays and disabilities are eligible to receive early intervention services at no cost to families.

Depending on child needs, early intervention services can include family training, counseling, and home visits; occupational, physical, or speech therapy; hearing loss services; health, nutrition, and social work; assistance with service coordination; assistive technology devices and services; and transportation.

The services provided to children and their families differ based upon the individual needs and strengths of each child and the child’s family. Services may be provided in the child’s home, child care center, nursery school, play group, Head Start program, early childhood special education classroom or other settings familiar to the family.

Participate in Review and Comment Period

Anyone who would like to review the proposed grant application can find the document at Early Intervention (pa.gov) or Early Intervention Services (pa.gov) on the right side menu of the webpages. Additionally, interested individuals can request a hard copy by emailing ra-ocdintervention@pa.gov or by calling 717.346.9320.

Opportunities to provide public comment include:

  • Mailing written comments to:
    • Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports
      ATTN: Public Comments for Part C Grant Application
      333 Market Street, 6th Floor
      Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
  • Emailing written comments to: ra-ocdintervention@pa.gov
  • Attending the Public Comment session from 10 – 11 a.m. on April 17 via Zoom.

If you need an accommodation or assistance to review the proposed grant application or to submit comments, please contact ra-ocdintervention@pa.gov or call 717.346.9320.

Comments will be accepted through Friday, April 28.

Learn More

The Department of Education will review all comments before submitting the final grant application.

To learn more about the review and comment period, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.

Sources

The above information was compiled from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA), Pennsylvania Department of Education (DOE), and Pennsylvania Key websites.

News

October 6, 2020

Promoting Inclusion in ECE Programs

On September 30, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) released guidance on strategies early learning programs should use to ensure all young children with disabilities and their families have access to high-quality, inclusive programming.

About

OCDEL issued this announcement to provide guidance on strategies that promote inclusion for all students, set an expectation for high-quality programs to be inclusive of children with disabilities, and identify resources available to local early learning programs.

Who Does This Apply To?

Effective October 1, 2020, this announcement applies to both federally- and state-funded programs, including Child Care Works, Child Care Certification, Early Head Start, Head Start, Early Intervention, Home Visiting programs, Keystone STARS, Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program, Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, and Family Centers.

Next Steps

To promote inclusion, local early learning programs must complete the following actions:

1. In collaboration with program staff and families:

    • develop and implement a written program policy that focuses on actively including young children with disabilities in your early learning program;
    • review and modify existing policies, practices, and procedures to ensure barriers are removed that would prevent children with disabilities from accessing or participating in your early learning program; and
    • develop resources for effective communication between families and program staff to ensure families know the benefits of and their rights related to inclusion.

2. Assess staff competencies and implement professional development, which includes family perspectives, related to inclusion based on the needs of staff and families.

3. Seek assistance from your local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) to identify examples of inclusive program policies, structures, and activities to provide models of dissemination and replication throughout Pennsylvania.

4. Develop and strengthen partnerships between your program and Early Intervention programs so that supports and services for children with disabilities can be provided within the daily routines and activities of high-quality early learning programs.

5. Participate in ongoing opportunities for stakeholder input and professional development opportunities on additional OCDEL guidance related to the inclusion of all children.

6. Implement this policy in conjunction with the Announcement, Reduction of Expulsion and Suspension in Early Childhood Programs in Pennsylvania and any additional guidance related to the inclusion of all children.

OCDEL’s Support

To promote practices that support the inclusion of all young children in early learning programs, OCDEL will complete the following actions:

1. In collaboration with and input from stakeholders and families, OCDEL will:

2. OCDEL will provide individualized support, including on-site coaching and consultation, to OCDEL-funded programs.

3. Through the ELRCs, OCDEL will:

    • identify opportunities for community partnerships to promote inclusion, including partnerships for providing individualized support, professional development, and other capacity-building resources;
    • provide support and guidance to assist child care programs to progress in their Keystone STAR level rating; and
    • support child care programs to understand their vital role in supporting inclusion.

More Information

For more information, read the full announcement.

News

July 10, 2020

Remote Learning for Early Learners with Autism

Are you interested in learning how to help early learners with autism engage with remote instruction through evidence-based practices? Attend the webinar “Remote Learning for Early Learners with Autism” on July 16.

About

While remote learning allows students to continue their education, it can be challenging for young students with autism and other developmental disabilities to attend to the screen and engage with the curriculum. In this webinar, STAR Autism Support Training Specialist Elizabeth Curtin will discuss strategies to help early learners with autism engage with synchronous remote instruction through evidence-based practices.

A focus of this presentation will be on teaching skills in receptive language, expressive language, social and play, and pre-academics. This webinar will include video examples of teachers coaching caregivers to provide consistent instruction to their students. Participants will also learn strategies on teaching students to be more independent in daily functional routines.

This webinar is best suited for pre-k through elementary teachers and school leaders. Time for questions will be provided.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the event webpage. Registration to attend the live presentation is limited to 2,000 people. A recording of the session will be available to those who sign up to receive it via email and to those who attend the live event.

News

April 3, 2020

Equity in Education: An Examination of Practices in the United States

Are you interested in learning ways that you can address equity in your classroom as an educator? Join Steven Almazan on April 8 for the webinar, “Equity in Education: An Examination of Practices in the United States.”

About

Educational equity is impacted by many contributing factors such as race, gender, socio-economic status, language proficiency, learning disability status, and other social and cultural factors. Students who hold unique identities should receive an adequate amount of resources, human capital, instructional time, and social support to ensure that they are learning and growing at their fullest potential. What can teachers and administrators do to promote equity in schools and classrooms? What practices should be examined and challenged as inequitable?

In this webinar, presenters will explore a variety of policies and practices that aim to address the foundational challenges of achieving educational equity in the United States. They will also highlight ways educators can address equity in their school systems.

This webinar will be of particular interest to pre-k through middle school teachers and school and district leaders and administrators. Time for questions will be included.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the event webpage!

News

August 30, 2019

Webinar | Including and Teaching Young Children with Disabilities

Join Dr. Susan Sandall on September 12 for her upcoming webinar, “Building Blocks for Including and Teaching Young Children with Disabilities.”

About

This edWebinar will provide information about the development, use, and latest revision to “Building Blocks for Teaching Preschoolers with Special Needs”, a multi-tiered framework for planning and providing individualized support and instruction for young children with disabilities or other special needs. Learn about the four levels of support as well as practical, research-based practices for use in inclusive classrooms and other early learning environments. Presenters will also highlight various forms and resources for planning, teaching, and monitoring children’s progress.

This webinar is suitable for pre-k teachers, early childhood faculty, school and district leaders, and curriculum and instruction department chairs.

Register

To register and learn more, visit the edWeb website!

About the Presenter

Dr. Susan Sandall is Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington (UW). She has directed personnel preparation projects, developed curriculum materials for all age groups, and published materials on educational practices to facilitate optimal outcomes for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities.

*Information provided by EdWeb

News

August 19, 2019

The Art of Inclusion

Community members are invited to join the PEAL Center on October 4 for “The Art of Inclusion” to recognize those who promote the inclusion of people with disabilities and special health care needs. This event is for community members 18 and older.

About

At this event, participants will:

    • decorate cookies;
    • create screen-printed t-shirts and tote bags;
    • bid on artwork donated by Pennsylvania artists;
    • enjoy an interactive evening including heavy hors d’oeuvres from Big Burrito Group and a cash bar;
    • and experience art by children, teens, and young adults answering the question, “What does inclusion mean to you?”

Registration

To register, visit the Eventbrite page.

More Information

For more information, contact the PEAL Center at 412.281.4404.

Share this flyer with your network.

News

July 23, 2019

Free Leadership Training for Families Receiving EI Services

Are you a parent, caregiver, or family member of a young child who receives Early Intervention services in Pennsylvania? Join the Temple University College of Education for Competence and Confidence: Partners in Policymaking Early Intervention (C2P2 EI 2019-20).

About

C2P2 EI 2019-20 provides free leadership development training for families of children who receive Infant-Toddler Early Intervention or Preschool Early Intervention Services. The training will provide participants with up-to-date information, leadership development training, resources, and skills. Participants learn about the local, state, and national issues that affect children with disabilities.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants should be Pennsylvania family members who:

    • Have a child—infant or school-age—that receives Early Intervention services,
    • Desire to advocate for themselves and others by building leadership skills, and
    • Are willing to commit to all four 2-day trainings.

Training Information

Training Dates

Trainings will be held on Fridays from 1 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    • October 11-12, 2019
    • December 6-7, 2019
    • March 6-7, 2020
    • April 3-4, 2020
Location
Covered Costs
    • Meals included
    • Travel and child care expense reimbursements
    • Overnight lodging (for those traveling 40+ miles)

Application

To apply and for more information, visit the event website.

The application deadline is September 20, 2019.

Questions

For questions, contact Cathy Roccia-Meier at 215.204.1772 (voice), 215.204.1805 (TeleTypewriter/TTY), or cathyRM@temple.edu.

News

June 3, 2019

Carnegie Library Serving Summer Meals for Children

Beginning June 17, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will offer free summer meals/snacks to Pittsburgh youth on weekdays through August 23.

About

In summer 2019, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will continue its participation in the Summer Food Service Program in order to ensure even more Pittsburgh youth have access to free food during summer vacation. Meals and activities will be provided during times listed below while supplies last and are for youth ages 18 and younger, and for persons with disabilities up to age 21.

Meals are being offered locally in collaboration with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Pittsburgh CitiParks as part of the federally funded Summer Food Service Program.

Program Schedule

This program is available Monday – Friday at the following locations (unless otherwise specified):

More Information

For questions, contact the Library of Pittsburgh via phone at 412.622.3114.

*Information provided by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

News

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.