News

March 22, 2024

Voice Of ECE Childcare Liability Insurance Survey

The Voice of ECE is inviting child care providers to share their insights by participating in its Childcare Liability Insurance Survey. The survey was created by and for early childhood business owners.

Learn More

The survey’s objective is to gain a comprehensive understanding of child care business owners’ experiences with liability insurance carriers. The Voice of ECE is interested in gathering information on changes in premiums, coverage issues, or policy cancellations/non-renewals. 

Feedback gathered during the survey will play a crucial role in identifying areas for improvement and help to ensure that child care facilities are adequately protected. Challenges and concerns shared during the survey will help to better serve and maintain child care facility operations.

All content will be utilized only for internal data collection purposes and will be treated as confidential.

The Voice of ECE’s partners in the survey include Trying Together as well as Children First, First Up, Latinos Educando Juntos, the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA), and the Pennsylvania Association of the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC). 

How To Participate

Providers who are interested in filling out the survey have until April 12 to do so. Two participants will be randomly chosen to win a $100 gift card from PennAEYC.

News

March 20, 2024

Trying Together Receives Rapid Response Team Grant

Trying Together was one of 18 early childhood organizations to receive state mini-grants for $200,000 in November.

Learn More

The Pennsylvania Key, on behalf of the state’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), awarded the Rapid Response Team grants to begin a six-month planning with six months implementation or a one-year grant implementation starting in January. The grant will support an approach that has emerged in several Pennsylvania communities to provide a Rapid Response Team to support a child, family, and educator when a child is at risk of being suspended or expelled.

Trying Together will use the OCDEL grant to expand the services currently provided by the existing Rapid Response Team in Allegheny County. Funding from the grant will be used to hire additional staff to respond within 24 hours of a referral; to provide program- and classroom-wide support such as mentoring and coaching, technical assistance, and professional development; and to increase the number of functional behavior assessments based on the needs of the child.

ELRC Region 5’s Rapid Response Team will continue to refer families and educators to additional services such as Early Intervention and Infant Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH).

Early Learning Connections in Butler received the grant in ELRC Region 3 and Engage Kidz LLC in Murrysville received the grant in ELRC Region 4. 

About Rapid Response

Rapid Response Teams enhance the system of support available within the state’s early childhood system. The teams include behavioral health professionals, Early Intervention professionals and ELRC staff.

The program is a piloted, short-term triaging support to enhance the early childhood system of support in each ELRC region in the state, which also include quality coaching, IECMH and School-Age Child Care, focused mental health consultation, Early Intervention services and supports, and home visiting.

To learn more about Rapid Response Team implementation mini-grants, visit the PA Keys website

News

Introduction To ASQ-3

In “Introduction to ASQ-3,” participants will learn how to use the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®–3) as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years. The session provides information on why a developmental screening tool is administered in early childhood programs, how to administer and score the screener, strategies for sharing results with families of diverse backgrounds, and supporting resources for making referrals to additional services if needed.

Session Details

Saturday, April 6 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Tuesday, April 30 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Thursday, May 16 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

  • Location: In person – TBD
  • Cost: $15
  • Register

Tuesday, May 21 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Wednesday, June 5 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Questions?

For questions about the course or credit, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.

News

Introduction To ASQ-3

In “Introduction to ASQ-3,” participants will learn how to use the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®–3) as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years. The session provides information on why a developmental screening tool is administered in early childhood programs, how to administer and score the screener, strategies for sharing results with families of diverse backgrounds, and supporting resources for making referrals to additional services if needed.

Session Details

Saturday, April 6 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Tuesday, April 30 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Thursday, May 16 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

  • Location: In person – TBD
  • Cost: $15
  • Register

Tuesday, May 21 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Wednesday, June 5 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Questions?

For questions about the course or credit, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.

News

Introduction To ASQ-3

In “Introduction to ASQ-3,” participants will learn how to use the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®–3) as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years. The session provides information on why a developmental screening tool is administered in early childhood programs, how to administer and score the screener, strategies for sharing results with families of diverse backgrounds, and supporting resources for making referrals to additional services if needed.

Session Details

Saturday, April 6 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Tuesday, April 30 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Thursday, May 16 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

  • Location: In person – TBD
  • Cost: $15
  • Register

Tuesday, May 21 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Wednesday, June 5 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Questions?

For questions about the course or credit, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.

News

Introduction To ASQ-3

In “Introduction to ASQ-3,” participants will learn how to use the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®–3) as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years. The session provides information on why a developmental screening tool is administered in early childhood programs, how to administer and score the screener, strategies for sharing results with families of diverse backgrounds, and supporting resources for making referrals to additional services if needed.

Session Details

Saturday, April 6 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Tuesday, April 30 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Thursday, May 16 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

  • Location: In person – TBD
  • Cost: $15
  • Register

Tuesday, May 21 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Wednesday, June 5 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Questions?

For questions about the course or credit, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.

News

Introduction To ASQ-3

In “Introduction to ASQ-3,” participants will learn how to use the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®–3) as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years. The session provides information on why a developmental screening tool is administered in early childhood programs, how to administer and score the screener, strategies for sharing results with families of diverse backgrounds, and supporting resources for making referrals to additional services if needed.

Session Details

Saturday, April 6 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Tuesday, April 30 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Thursday, May 16 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

  • Location: In person – TBD
  • Cost: $15
  • Register

Tuesday, May 21 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Wednesday, June 5 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Questions?

For questions about the course or credit, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.

News

March 19, 2024

Apply for the Educators’ Neighborhood 2024-2025 Cohort

Early childhood educators and leaders are invited to apply for the Educators’ Neighborhood 2024-2025 cohort, where they will take part in a year-long program to learn how to apply Fred Rogers’ work and theory to their work with children.

An initiative of the Fred Rogers Institute, Educators’ Neighborhood is a community of educators – defined broadly to include any adult who directly serves children, youth, families, or other educators – from around the world who learn together, for the most part through virtual meetings, and are inspired by the work of Fred Rogers.

Who Should Apply

  • Educators in early childhood education programs, family child care, preschool, or early intervention
  • Directors of early childhood education programs, family child care, preschool, or early intervention
  • K-12 teachers, guidance counselors, reading specialists, or school librarians
  • Principals or superintendents at K-12 schools
  • Educators or directors at programs that serve children or youth outside of school such as staff at a library, museum, after school or summer program, religious organization, or environmental educationhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ENapplication2024
  • Educators serving adults who work with children, youth, or families (for example, higher education, professional development, quality improvement, or families)
  • Home-based educators

Fees and Scholarships

The cost to participate for those selected is $595, which includes 30 hours of learning as well as lifetime access to the Educators’ Neighborhood community and access to alumni opportunities. Full and partial scholarships are available, and can be completed in the Educators’ Neighborhood application. This year’s scholarships include ones for:

  • Educators and helpers who serve children through music, art, or reading education
  • Educators in Greene, Fayette, or Westmoreland counties.
  • Professionals from informal learning environments such as libraries and museums
  • Educators’ Neighborhood participants in any context or location who are eligible for the needs-based General EN scholarship

All participants will receive a certificate of participation at the end of the cohort year. Pennsylvania educators can receive ACT 48 credits for participation, while educators outside of Pennsylvania who are interested in transferring credits can receive additional documentation of completed learning hours.

Application Details

Apply online by May 3 at 5 p.m. For more information, check out the Educators’ Neighborhood Information Guidebook. To ask questions, email educators.neighborhood@stvincent.edu

 

News

January 22, 2024

Child Care Career Openings in Pittsburgh

Are you looking for open child care positions? Early learning programs in the Greater Pittsburgh Area are hiring! See featured jobs for this week.

Child Care Positions in Pittsburgh

 Director

Elizabeth United Methodist Early Learning Center is seeking a Director to manage the child care center; administer all financial, personnel, maintenance, program activities, and objectives; and maintain compliance to Department of Human Services and Keystone STARS standards and regulations.

Candidates are required to have an Associate’s or Bachelors degree, two years experience working with children, and clearances. Interested applicants should send a resume to eum317office@gmail.com.

Teacher

Glenshaw Presbyterian Early Learning Center is accepting resumes for a Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher. Interested applicants should reach out to Fawn at fawn@glenshawchurch.org.

Youth Sports Instructor

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA is seeking a Youth Sports Instructor responsible for working with youth to educate them on a skillset in a specified sport. The instructor is responsible for supervising, coordinating, and promoting the athletics program for BGCWPA. At times, the instructor may be the referee for game play in addition to the instructor. Apply online.

Summer Camp Youth Development Instructor

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA is seeking a Youth Development Professional that will be hands on with the youth to implement curriculum and programming on a day to day basis. This role is responsible for the supervision and safety of all program participants as well as relationship building. This role will ensure that they follow all DHS Chapter 3270 Regulations and BGCA Safety requirements. Apply online.

STEAM Ambassador

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA is seeking a STEAM Ambassador for its STEM program. This position is a perfect fit for someone looking to take a first step in their career to work with youth in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics education setting. With the No. 1 priority being their work with the kids during program hours. Apply online.

Career Development Coordinator

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA is seeking a Career Development Coordinator who will be responsible for youth development through career exposure and preparation; support the career development program/curriculum across five teen locations in Allegheny County; support internships, certifications; and understands the needs and demographics of under-served communities. This position reports to the Manager of Career Development. Apply online.

Submit a Job

Trying Together highlights employer-submitted jobs on our website, social media, and in our newsletter.

All jobs submitted after Tuesday each week will be published in the following week’s news post. Publication dates may vary due to state and federal holidays. Unrelated jobs will not be included.

For questions, contact Heidi Winkler at heidi@tryingtogether.org.

Other Jobs in Early Childhood

ECE HIRE

Visit the ECE Hire website to view early childhood education job listings and helpful tips on interviewing, resumes, and more.

Submit a Job to PACCA

Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) offers a Job Board for its members to post jobs for free and sends out submitted jobs via their Facebook page and e-newsletter. PACCA members can submit jobs online after signing into their membership account. For questions, contact Maureen Murphy at maureen.murphy@pacca.org.

Receive Jobs in Your Inbox

To receive the latest job opportunities, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook.

News

January 3, 2024

Survey: Exploring Suspension and Expulsion in Early Childhood Education

Trying Together, the ELRC Region 5’s quality partner, is partnering with Children First and PHMC on a research project aiming to gain insights into the mechanisms behind suspension and expulsion practices in early childhood education settings.

Learn More

Child care providers and families are invited to actively participate in dialogues, including focus groups and individual interviews, to share stories from their experiences in early childhood education programs. Participation will contribute significantly to a final report analyzing practices that lead to suspension or expulsion.

The goal is to formulate policy recommendations that address and mitigate these practices, recognizing the significant role of racism and implicit bias.

Child Care Provider Survey

Early childhood education providers who support children requiring additional behavioral or early intervention services are invited to take the child care provider survey. Responses will help gain insight into communication practices with families when a child requires services beyond the standard classroom offerings; challenges faced in communicating with families during such circumstances; and interactions between providers and external therapists, as well as one-on-one support providers entering the classroom to assist children.

Parent Survey

The project aims to gain insights into the reasons behind families leaving early childhood programs.

Families who have changed early childhood programs, especially those who may have had to switch more than once, are encouraged to fill out the parent survey. Responses can provide valuable insights into patterns of both voluntary and involuntary departures; the communication strategies utilized between families and early childhood providers before making the decision to change programs; and how these transitions impact the services children can access, including early intervention and behavioral services.