August 2, 2023 Everyday Interactions Matter: Deep and Simple Relating in Early Learning Programs The primary ingredient of quality in early learning settings begins with the everyday interactions we share with one another. These simple and ordinary moments that take place during daily routines form the foundation for connection, learning, and growing for young children and adults alike. Throughout the “Deep and Simple Relating in Early Learning Programs” series, Allegheny County early learning professionals will engage with the Everyday Interactions Matter (EIM) approach through a process of careful observation, discussion, and self-reflection. EIM is designed to support early learning professionals, including owners, directors, and educators, in examining the everyday moments that make up their days and sharing elements of their practice with peers. Through this strengths-based process, professionals can recognize and build upon powerful moments of connection, sharing, growing, and belonging in everyday interactions. This event series is being offered to Allegheny County providers only. Session Details: Date and Time: Mondays, September 11 – October 16 | 6 – 7:15 p.m. Where: All sessions are virtual (Zoom). All sessions include homework through our self-paced Schoology platform. Instructors: Sarah Grubb, Allison Robinson, Diana Schwab Cost: FREE Standards: 15 PQAS hours/ACT 48 credits will be offered. C2: Knowledge Application Child Development and Learning in Context Child Observation, Documentation, and Assessment Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator There is a three (3) person per early learning site limit. Seating is limited to 20 participants. Register Questions? For questions about the course or credit, contact Sarah at Sarah.Grubb@alleghenycounty.us.
Everyday Interactions Matter: Deep and Simple Relating in Early Learning Programs The primary ingredient of quality in early learning settings begins with the everyday interactions we share with one another. These simple and ordinary moments that take place during daily routines form the foundation for connection, learning, and growing for young children and adults alike. Throughout the “Deep and Simple Relating in Early Learning Programs” series, Allegheny County early learning professionals will engage with the Everyday Interactions Matter (EIM) approach through a process of careful observation, discussion, and self-reflection. EIM is designed to support early learning professionals, including owners, directors, and educators, in examining the everyday moments that make up their days and sharing elements of their practice with peers. Through this strengths-based process, professionals can recognize and build upon powerful moments of connection, sharing, growing, and belonging in everyday interactions. This event series is being offered to Allegheny County providers only. Session Details: Date and Time: Mondays, September 11 – October 16 | 6 – 7:15 p.m. Where: All sessions are virtual (Zoom). All sessions include homework through our self-paced Schoology platform. Instructors: Sarah Grubb, Allison Robinson, Diana Schwab Cost: FREE Standards: 15 PQAS hours/ACT 48 credits will be offered. C2: Knowledge Application Child Development and Learning in Context Child Observation, Documentation, and Assessment Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator There is a three (3) person per early learning site limit. Seating is limited to 20 participants. Register Questions? For questions about the course or credit, contact Sarah at Sarah.Grubb@alleghenycounty.us.
July 10, 2023 BabyTalks Series: Fostering Inclusive Play for All Infants and Toddlers In this BabyTalks webinar, attendees will learn how play varies across individuals, families, cultures, and communities. Join Beth Zack, PhD, and Marie Baeta, MA, from the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning to explore the importance of moving away from a “one size fits all” approach to play. Those that attend will discover ways to make play accessible, culturally relevant, and meaningful to all infants and toddlers. This webinar is offered with English and Spanish captioning. Key topics that will be discussed during this webinar include: Infant and toddler play through a lens of equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness. Strategies to create playful learning experiences that are accessible and meaningful to all infants and toddlers. This webinar benefits Head Start and child care program directors, managers, and administrators serving infants and toddlers, teachers, home visitors, and family child care providers, TTA providers, program office staff located in Regional offices and Washington, D.C., Head Start Collaboration offices. Register Certificates of completion are available for this webinar.
July 7, 2023 PA DHS Accepting Applications for Children’s Trust Fund Grants The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is accepting applications for the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) grants to promote primary and secondary child abuse and neglect prevention programs in community-based settings in order to address child and family well-being and prevent abuse and neglect of children in the Commonwealth. The maximum CTF grant award is $50,000 per year. About the Children’s Trust Fund Grants The mission of the Pennsylvania Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) is to prevent child abuse and neglect in Pennsylvania. To do this, the CTF Board of Directors funds community-based primary and secondary prevention programs that support families. The CTF was established in December 1988 by Act 1988-151. It operates under the administration of the CTF Board and is supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), a dual deputate of the Department of Human Services (DHS) the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Funds for the CTF are generated from a $10 surcharge on all applications for marriage licenses and divorce complaints. These surcharges are paid into a special non-lapsing fund. Interest, donations and federal funds also contribute to the CTF. The CTF is dedicated to funding community-based programs to prevent child abuse and neglect. Since its inception, the CTF has invested more than $37 million through 295 grants. See the list of current grantees. The CTF also supports the work of the Pennsylvania Strengthening Families Leadership Team. How to Apply Application details and forms are available at the eMarketPlace website. Each Applicant must submit one complete copy of the Submittal via email to ra-pwrfaquestions@pa.gov. The subject line of the email must indicate “RFA 13-23 Application”. Applications are due by 10 a.m. on July 31, 2023. Please refer to the eMarketplace listing for any changes regarding the deadline. Organizations can view the bid online. Awarded contracts are posted to eMarketplace after they become fully executed. Questions? If you have a question, send an email to Robin Lease at RAPWRFAQUESTIONS@PA.GOV. All emails should include the subject line “RFA #13-23 Question” and must be submitted by July 14, 2023 at 10 a.m. Written answers will be posted on the eMarketPlace website on July 21, 2023.
July 5, 2023 2023 Paving the Way to Educational Success Conference The 2023 Paving the Way to Educational Success Conference is a unique learning opportunity to support children and youth experiencing homelessness and students experiencing foster care. This three-day conference is ideal for: School district homeless liaisons. Foster care points of contact. Child welfare agency education liaisons and private providers. Shelter staff and staff in congregate care settings. Early education, Head Start staff, and K-12 educators. School social workers and counselors. Pupil services personnel. Post-secondary staff. Any professionals working with children and youth experiencing homelessness, children and youth experiencing foster care. When: Wednesday, 10/11 – Friday, 10/13 Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 910 Sheraton Drive, Mars, Pa. 16046 Register (There is no cost to attend.) The Paving the Way Conference is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education programs Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) and Educational Stability for Children and Youth in Foster Care and is held in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Center for Schools and Communities.
June 29, 2023 Kindergarten: Here I Come! Visit the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh for one of their milestone events for early childhood education with “Kindergarten: Here I Come!” The 17th annual kindergarten readiness celebration takes place on Saturday, August 12, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. At this event, children entering kindergarten in the fall can experience a day full of fun activities, resources and learning from Children’s Museum staff and our amazing partners from around the city. There will be back-to-school giveaways, resources for parents and caregivers, and even a real school bus! Kindergarten: Here I Come! is free for one rising kindergarten student and one accompanying adult. Reserve Your Tickets For questions or to learn more, visit the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh website.
June 26, 2023 Advice for Navigating Challenging Conversations in Early Childhood Programs During the “Advice for Navigating Challenging Conversations in Early Childhood Programs” edWebinar from edWeb.net, presenter Angela Searcy, Ed.D., Adjunct Instructor, Mental Health Consultant, and Author of Elevating Equity: Advice for Navigating Challenging Conversations in Early Childhood Programs, will discuss navigating equity issues like equally divvying up lesson-planning responsibilities, quarrels with families over how much homework is too much, disagreements over professional responsibilities around supporting identity development, curriculum implementation, and parental responsibilities when a child has a disability. When: Thursday, July 13 | 2 -3 p.m. Where: Virtual Register This free session will help early childhood educators and caregivers capitalize on opportunities to better understand themselves, their colleagues, and the families they serve. This edWebinar will be of interest to early childhood teachers, librarians, school and district leaders, and education technology leaders. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.
May 25, 2023 Webinar: Navigating Conversations with Families about Childhood Vaccines The topic of childhood vaccines is on parents’ minds more than ever but also has become more sensitive for educators to discuss with families than many other concerns. Penn State Extension Better Kid Care will host a webinar for teachers and caregivers of young children about how to discuss childhood vaccines with families on Wednesday, May 31 at 1 p.m. The webinar will dive into why these conversations are uncomfortable at times and how professionals can approach them in ways that stay true to fact-based information while also preserving their relationships with families. Register Certificates will not be issued for attending the webinar. Attendees will receive a confirmation email as proof of their participation. They must attend from their own device in order to receive the confirmation email.
May 23, 2023 Reducing Lead Exposures in Early Learning Centers Join Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) on Tuesday, May 30 for a free webinar focusing on deep cleaning information and resources for early learning centers. During this session, attendees will learn more about the WHE lending library for cleaning equipment. Early learning providers in southwest PA are encouraged to attend. When: Tuesday, 5/30 | 6 – 7:30 p.m. Register Check out the webinar flyer for more information.
May 11, 2023 PA’s Promise For Children Recognizes Teachers, Requests Nominations for Teacher Appreciation Week In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week, Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children is sharing the stories of inspiring educators and encouraging families to nominate teachers for recognition. About Teacher Appreciation Week Teacher Appreciation Week is the first full week in May. The week got its start as National Teacher Appreciation Day in 1953, when Eleanor Roosevelt asked Congress to set aside a day to recognize educators. The day gained official recognition as a March holiday in 1980, after the National Education Association (NEA) successfully lobbied Congress. In 1984, the National Parent Teacher Association expanded the designation to its current week, and moved the celebration to May. Teacher Appreciation Week recognizes the role teachers play in children’s lives and provides time for students, parents, and caregivers to celebrate the work of educators. Read Teacher Stories To read about teachers who have made a significant impact on the lives of children, visit the PA’s Promise for Children website. Nominate a Teacher for Recognition It’s not too late to nominate teachers for recognition! To nominate a teacher, email the following to Mary at marhal@pakeys.org: the teacher’s name and early learning program or school a brief story about the teacher that explains their impact and what makes them special a picture of your student with the teacher Learn More The above information on the history of Teacher Appreciation Week was compiled from USA Today, NEA, and Hallmark. To learn more, visit the PA’s Promise for Children website.
