August 31, 2022 Taking the Stress Out of Back-To-School: For Educators The Child Mind Institute recognizes that the new school year can bring new challenges for parents and educators alike. Educators play an important role in building a positive learning environment and supporting children when they experience learning challenges or behavioral problems. Register Here About the Event The Child Mind Institute will be hosting a virtual session on Building Successful Students: How we can sharpen our skills to build a better learning environment. This hour-long call with expert clinicians. Start the year off with proactive strategies to set you and your students up for success and also discover ways to promote a positive learning environment, prioritize the student-teacher relationship, and foster student engagement and motivation. This event will take place on Wednesday, September 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will be hosted by Angela Moyer MS, CAS, NCSP, a nationally certified school psychologist for the School and Community Programs team at the Child Mind Institute. Ms. Moyer has a decade of experience working in diverse communities across the Northeast and Midwest. As an advocate of social justice, Ms. Moyer works to empower marginalized families and communities by promoting the educational rights, opportunities and well-being of all children. Participants must pre-register for this webinar and will receive an invitation to their email.
September 27, 2021 Supporting Early Childhood Educators through Deductions (SEED) Act Representatives Conor Lamb (PA-17), Tom Reed (NY-23), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) and Jackie Walorski (IN-02) have introduced the bipartisan The Supporting Early-Childhood Educators through Deductions (SEED) Act to allow early childhood educators to claim the existing above-the-line $250 tax deduction for K-12 teachers. About the SEED Act The deduction would help pre-K teachers defray the cost of providing supplies for their classrooms, whether they itemize or take the standard deduction. “The work that pre-K teachers do is critical to starting kids off on the right foot and Congress needs to ensure that all teachers have the tools they need to support their students,” said Lamb in a press release. “Pre-K teachers should be focused on their work in the classroom, they shouldn’t have to worry about out-of-pocket costs for materials and supplies.” This legislation would make early educators who purchase supplies with their own money eligible for the $250 teacher tax deduction, reducing their tax liability when they provide school supplies for their students. According to the release, studies have shown that teachers spent an average of $530 of their own money in the classroom. In 2002, Congress created an above-the-line educator expense deduction to allow qualifying K-12 teachers and other eligible educators such as counselors and principals to deduct up to $250 of expenses incurred for books, supplies, and other supplementary materials. Pre-K teachers are not covered by the educator expense deduction currently, although they earn significantly less than their peers who teach in the K-12 system. Additionally, teachers in high-poverty schools spent nearly 40 percent more than their peers elsewhere, with one in 10 spending $1,000 or more. In some cases, educators in low-income districts buy clothing and personal hygiene products, in addition to school supplies, for kids who are especially in need. The SEED Act is endorsed by Trying Together, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC), Pennsylvania Head Start Association (PHSA), Teach For America, First Five Years Fund, Allegheny County Department of Children Initiatives, A Plus Schools, Boys & Girls Club of Western PA, Asset Inc., the Latino Community Center Pittsburgh , United Somali Bantu of Greater Pittsburgh, and Allies for Children. More Information Read the press release or visit Lamb’s website for more information on the SEED Act.
November 6, 2020 Diaper Bank at Hub & Family Center The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center is now a Diaper Bank location in Allegheny County. Diapers in sizes one to six and wipes are available to families in Homewood and surrounding communities. Each family can receive up to two packs of diapers every 60 days. Requesting Diapers and Wipes Due to COVID-19, families must schedule a time to pick up their diapers and wipes. To schedule a pickup time, please complete the request form. Once you have completed the form, a member of our staff will contact you to arrange a pickup. Please note that opened diapers and wipes may not be returned or exchanged. Pickups will be made at the new location for The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center: 7219 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Please contact Toni Beasley at 412.540.5732 or toni@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your networks. About the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center is one of 27 Family Centers located in neighborhoods around Allegheny County. The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center supports the early learning needs of young children, families, and early educators in the Homewood communities. More information can be found on The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center website.
