April 1, 2024 April is the Month of the Young Child April has been designated as the Month of the Young Child. Trying Together has planned a month full of events and opportunities to tout the importance of early child care and celebrate organizations that provide vital services. History The Week of the Young Child was first established in 1971 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Its aim was to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognize early childhood programs and services that are centered around those needs. Over time, increased interest led Trying Together to designate the entire month of April as the Month of the Young Child (MOYC). We celebrate MOYC to elevate the important work of families and early care and education professionals, who strive to meet the needs of the young children in their care. MOYC-in-a-Box Early learning programs can request a mailed box of materials related to the month. Materials include posters to display at program locations or to give to businesses to promote the importance of child care in the community; buttons for staff and families to wear in April; and printed materials and resources from Trying Together and Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5. To request the MOYC box of materials, fill out this form. Materials are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. The last day to request materials is Friday, April 12. Events There are a number of great events to celebrate the Month of the Young Child. These include: 2024 Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner – Trying Together will join early care and education colleagues from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 25 at Acrisure Stadium for dinner, a photo booth, and prizes. There is currently a wait-list for this event. Homewood Early Learning Block Party – This free event will feature craft activities as well as face painting, dancing, and other activities. There will be resources from organizations in Homewood and the Pittsburgh region for caregivers and families. The event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. Affirming Black Joy: Race, Identity, and Early Childhood – The Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education (P.R.I.D.E.) program’s spring speaker series event will feature Trying Together’s Cara Ciminillo as a guest speaker. This virtual event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10. Registration for this event is now open. Education Affiliate Dinner and Lecture – Beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, this event at Saint Vincent College will feature a dinner and lecture with Todd Whitaker, a leading authority on staff motivation, teacher leadership, and principal effectiveness. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. at the college’s Event and Conference Center and the lecture will follow at 7 p.m. at the Carey Performing Arts Center. More details are available on the college’s Education Department website. NAEYC Week of the Young Child – The NAEYC will celebrate daily themes as part of its Week of the Young Child from April 6 to 12. Visit the NAEYC’s website for more information on the daily themes and activity resources.
April 20, 2023 May 16 Primary Election Information and Key Dates On Tuesday, May 16, voters across the United States will vote in the primary elections. What does your primary election voting plan look like? Be sure to dedicate time today to check your voter registration status, review what options you have to cast your vote, and create your personal voting timeline ahead of the 2023 Primary Elections. Key Primary Election Dates Mark your calendar for these key dates: May 1, 2023 – Last day to register to vote before the May 16 election. May 2, 2023 – Attend the Nonpartisan Countywide Candidate Forum to submit your questions and hear statements from Allegheny County candidates. May 9, 2023 – Last day to apply for Absentee or Mail in Ballot. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. The Mail-In Ballot Application is also available in Spanish. May 16, 2023 – Last day to return Mail In or Absentee Ballots. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Register to Vote The deadline to register to vote is May 1, 2023. If you are not registered, register now by completing the Voter Registration Application. If you are uncertain of your registration status, check it using the Pennsylvania Department of State Voter Registration Status Tool. Voter Registration Applications are also available in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Online voter registration is open until 11:59 p.m. on May 1, 2023. Find Your Polling Place Not sure where to vote? Use the Pennsylvania Department of State Polling Place Search Tool to locate your polling place for election day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any person in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote. Poll Workers The Elections Division is currently seeking and assigning poll workers. Demonstrate your civic participation by serving on Election Day as a Judge, Inspector or Clerk of Election. Poll workers, also referred to as election officers, earn from $150 to $175 for the day. New poll workers also receive paid training. Learn more about the Poll Worker Application process if you are interested participating in the May 16 primary election as a poll worker. First Time Voter Information First-time voters, including individuals that are voting for the first-time at the polling place, will be asked to show an approved form of identification. Approved forms of photo ID (Remember, the ID must be valid and not expired.) PA driver’s license or ID card issued by PennDOT ID issued by any other Commonwealth agency ID issued by the U.S. Government U.S. Passport U.S. Armed Forces ID Student ID Employee ID Approved forms of non-photo ID (The ID must include the name and address of the elector) Voter’s identification card issued by the voter registration commission Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government Firearm permit Current utility bill Current bank statement Current paycheck Government check Visit the Pennsylvania Voter Services website for all of your voting information questions. Learn More If have questions about your registration status, polling place, or the May 16 election, visit the Allegheny County Elections website or contact the county election office at 412.350.4500. Address Allegheny County Elections Division 542 Forbes Ave., Suite 312 Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2953 Hours Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
August 4, 2022 Teacher Tom’s Play Summit 2022 Tom “Teacher Tom” Hobson of Teacher Tom’s Blog will be hosting a five-day Early Childhood Development Conference from Saturday, August 13 to Wednesday, August 17 geared for early childhood professionals, parents, and grandparents. This free conference will feature twenty session covering topics such as insights, ideas, and practical tools; elevating respect for early childhood professionals; the art & science of play-based learning; and many more. Each day of the summit, participants will receive an email with a link to that day’s sessions at 12pm EST. Sessions will be available for viewing during a 24-hour window. Lifetime access to each session is available for purchase after registration. Register for free before August 13 to secure your spot.
January 5, 2022 ECE Professionalism: A Closer Look at Your Responsibilities Join The Learning Lamp for an upcoming session, “ECE Professionalism: A Closer Look at Your Responsibilities.” This webinar will explore six professional responsibsilities, discuss ways to support professional growth and development, and explore the skills and mindset of the early childhood professional. This session is open to PennAEYC or PennAEYC Shared Services members. Space is limited and registration is required.
June 18, 2020 Everyday Heroes: Child Care is No Small Matter Join No Small Matter and their partners for a Facebook Live town hall and streaming premiere of the documentary No Small Matter (Executive Produced by Alfre Woodard). About the Event America’s early learning infrastructure was fragile even before COVID-19. But the pandemic has pushed it to the brink of collapse. Half of all child care sites are currently shuttered, and the ones that remain open do so at great risk to the health of providers and their families. With no other option but to stay home with their infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, millions of parents will be unable to return to work, paralyzing efforts to restart the nation’s economy. What has suddenly become searingly self-evident is that early education is essential. Put simply, America doesn’t work without it. That’s why on June 25, ABCinemaNOW Live will present an unprecedented Facebook Live screening event designed to generate support for the urgent action needed to tackle America’s childcare crisis. Everyday Heroes: Celebrating Early Educators, Supporting Families will feature the national streaming premiere of the documentary No Small Matter (Executive Produced by Alfre Woodard), followed by a live panel discussion highlighting the devastating impact of COVID-19 on children, families, and caregivers, and in turn, on the economy. Woven throughout the event will be video messages from celebrities, cultural influencers, and frontline workers thanking early educators for the challenging, exhausting, and essential work they do every day. Learn More Visit the event website and follow No Small Matter on Facebook to join this event.
March 7, 2019 2019 National Survey of Early Care and Education Underway Overview Data collection for the 2019 National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) has begun. The Administration for Children & Families, Office of Child Care is now collecting new, nationally representative information about all parts of early care and education and families’ needs for ECE services, including child care, Early Head Start and Head Start, and pre-k programs. Goals A key aim of the 2019 surveys is to provide updated profiles of individuals and programs providing ECE and to describe ECE use in households across the United States. This information provides a more representative sample that will better inform future policy and research. All data provided by households and providers will be used only for statistical purposes, and the identities of individuals and programs will not be disclosed. Participation The Administration for Children and Families has contracted with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago to conduct the 2019 NSECE. NORC has sent mailings to selected providers and households throughout the country, inviting them to participate in the study. We are writing you to ask your support for this critical data collection effort. If you are contacted by providers, households, teachers and caregivers, or other members of the public, please emphasize and reassure those individuals that the 2019 NSECE is a legitimate and vital effort for our programs and our ability to help all children get access to high-quality ECE programs. Learn More Read more about the survey and access findings from the 2012 survey.
