April 2, 2024 American Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Training Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 are partnering to provide First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) training. This single course emphasizes hands-on learning and provides life-saving skills in alliance with The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s Best Practices for Workplace First Aid Training Programs. Certification will be issued upon successful completion of the course. This certification is valid for two years. PLEASE NOTE: Successful course completion requires full participation in classroom and skill sessions, as well as successful performance in skill and knowledge evaluations. Participants will be conducting strenuous activities, such as performing CPR on the floor. If you have a medical condition or disability that will prevent you from taking part in the skills practice sessions, please let your instructor know so that accommodations can be made for the practice portion. The CPR and AED evaluations must be completed with the manikin on the ground. Session Details May 16 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Location: Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center 7219 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Register Learn More The cost for this course is $38. This course is PQAS certified and must be paid for in full before registrants can participate. Registered individuals will receive additional course information prior to the start of the course. Please make sure to read all information before the start of the course. For questions about the sessions, contact Holly Cessna at holly.cessna@alleghenycounty.us. For credit questions, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.
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.
October 4, 2023 Capturing Moments: Planning For and Conducting Classroom Observations The ELRC Region 5 is offering a professional development opportunity for your early learning educators. This session will introduce early education professionals to the importance and value of purposeful observation. Through whole and small group discussions and activities, attendees will understand what observation is and identify various types of observation used in the classroom. They will also learn how observations can be linked directly to observation-based child assessments, and discuss how to identify their own biases to prevent them from affecting their objective observations. Session Details Tuesday, October 24 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Location: Virtual via Zoom Instructors: Shawna Preston and Elizabeth Foreman Standards: Child Observation, Documentation, and Assessment Cost: $10 Register Learn More This session is eligible for 2 hours of PQAS and Act 48 credit. For questions about the course or credit, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.
Free Winter Coats For Children Update: As of October 12, 2023, winter coats are no longer available. The Center for Community Resources, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, is providing free winter coats for children. Learn More Beginning Wednesday, October 4, families can visit the ELRC Region 5 main office (304 Wood Street Suite 400 Pittsburgh, PA 15222) during normal business hours to receive winter coats for their families while supplies last. For details, view this flyer (PDF).
June 29, 2023 ELRC Region 5 Requesting Feedback on Evening Phone Hours The Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 is asking Allegheny County families and child care providers to complete a brief survey on evening phone hour offerings. ELRC Region 5 currently offers evening phone hours from 5 – 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. However, center leaders seek to find the best day and time to offer evening service to county families and child care providers. By completing the survey, respondents allow ELRC Region 5 to better serve the community. The survey is just five questions. All responses are confidential and will not be shared. Access and Take the Survey Access and take the survey on SurveyMonkey. Learn More To learn more, visit the ELRC Region 5 website or call 1.888.340.3572 or 412.350.3577 for assistance.
June 28, 2023 Allegheny County Family Resource Map Highlights Supports for Locals Did you know the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 offers an interactive, online tool to help families navigate area programs and services? The Allegheny County Family Resource Map provides caregivers of young children and other residents in Allegheny County the opportunity to locate available supports closest to them. About the Allegheny County Family Resource Map Launched in 2020, the map highlights the addresses, phone numbers, and websites of a variety of family supports, including those on: aging care and education employment family activities food health housing new parents outdoors and recreation transportation, and wi-fi locations Through the map, families can find countywide resources and services closest to them, such as senior community centers, family centers, early learning programs, public schools, WIC offices, parks, libraries, food pantries, diaper banks, clinics, public housing, Port Authority bus stops, and more. Access the Map Access the map here or visit the ELRC Region 5 website. Learn More For questions or to submit a map suggestion, please contact ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 or elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.
June 23, 2023 ELRC Region 5 Now an Infant Formula Bank The main office of the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 in Downtown Pittsburgh is now an infant formula bank location of the Greater Pittsburgh Infant Formula Bank. About the Greater Pittsburgh Infant Formula Bank Managed by Beverly’s Birthdays and their baby division, Beverly’s Babies, the Greater Pittsburgh Infant Formula Bank is a resource to support families in need of baby formula during a personal, situational, or financial emergency/crisis. A baby can receive up to 12 cans of formula or the liquid (RTF) equivalent in his/her first year. There are seven formula banks available for the public to directly access for support: Allegheny County Locations ELRC Region 5 (Main Office) 304 Wood St, 4th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.350.3577 The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center 7219 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 412.545.5039 McKeesport Family Center 339 5th Avenue McKeesport, PA 15132 412.672.6970 Hilltop Family Center 1630 Arlington Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15210 412.432.1635 Westmoreland County Locations Beverly’s Birthdays 11065 Parker Drive North Huntingdon, PA 15642 724.590.5106 Highland’s Family Center 415 Fourth Avenue Tarentum, PA 15084 724-224-9006 Monessen Family Center 412 Reed Avenue Monessen, PA 15062 724.684.4370 Find location hours and details on the Beverly’s Birthdays website. Learn More Details about the program are available online. Families in need can call 724-590-5106 or text pghformula to 844-511-1544. To learn more, visit the Beverly’s Birthday’s website.
April 20, 2023 American Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Training Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 are partnering to provide First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) training. This single course is available in multiple sessions. It emphasizes hands-on learning and provides life-saving skills in alliance with The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s Best Practices for Workplace First Aid Training Programs. Certification will be issued upon successful completion of the course. This certification is valid for 2 years. Session Details June 3 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Instructors: Loni Gooden Theresa Hetler Allison Hritz Location: Trying Together, Training Room 5604 Solway Street Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Registration: Register Registration closes June 1 at 11:55 p.m. July 20 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Instructors: Jillian Miller Bliss Letang Nicole Banner Holly Cessna Location: The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center 7219 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Registration: Register Registration closes July 18 at 11:55 pm. August 8 | 3:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Instructors: Allison Hritz Bliss Letang Nicole Banner Location: Trying Together, Training Room 5604 Solway Street Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Registration: Register Registration closes August 4 at 11:55 p.m. August 26 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Instructors: Loni Gooden Jillian Miller Theresa Hetler Location: Western Allegheny Community Library 181 Bateman Road Oakdale, PA 15071 Registration: Register Registration closes August 24 at 11:55 p.m. Learn More The cost for this course is $36. This course is PQAS certified and must be paid for in full before registrants can participate. Registered individuals will receive additional course information prior to the start of the course. Please make sure to read all information before the start of the course. For questions about the sessions, contact Holly Cessna at holly.cessna@alleghenycounty.us. For credit questions, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.
American Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Training Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 are partnering to provide First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) training. This single course is available in multiple sessions. It emphasizes hands-on learning and provides life-saving skills in alliance with The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s Best Practices for Workplace First Aid Training Programs. Certification will be issued upon successful completion of the course. This certification is valid for 2 years. Session Details June 3 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Instructors: Loni Gooden Theresa Hetler Allison Hritz Location: Trying Together, Training Room 5604 Solway Street Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Registration: Register Registration closes June 1 at 11:55 p.m. July 20 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Instructors: Jillian Miller Bliss Letang Nicole Banner Holly Cessna Location: The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center 7219 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Registration: Register Registration closes July 18 at 11:55 pm. August 8 | 3:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Instructors: Allison Hritz Bliss Letang Nicole Banner Location: Trying Together, Training Room 5604 Solway Street Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Registration: Register Registration closes August 4 at 11:55 p.m. August 26 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Instructors: Loni Gooden Jillian Miller Theresa Hetler Location: Western Allegheny Community Library 181 Bateman Road Oakdale, PA 15071 Registration: Register Registration closes August 24 at 11:55 p.m. Learn More The cost for this course is $36. This course is PQAS certified and must be paid for in full before registrants can participate. Registered individuals will receive additional course information prior to the start of the course. Please make sure to read all information before the start of the course. For questions about the sessions, contact Holly Cessna at holly.cessna@alleghenycounty.us. For credit questions, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.
American Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Training Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 are partnering to provide First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) training. This single course is available in multiple sessions. It emphasizes hands-on learning and provides life-saving skills in alliance with The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s Best Practices for Workplace First Aid Training Programs. Certification will be issued upon successful completion of the course. This certification is valid for 2 years. Session Details June 3 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Instructors: Loni Gooden Theresa Hetler Allison Hritz Location: Trying Together, Training Room 5604 Solway Street Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Registration: Register Registration closes June 1 at 11:55 p.m. July 20 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Instructors: Jillian Miller Bliss Letang Nicole Banner Holly Cessna Location: The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center 7219 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Registration: Register Registration closes July 18 at 11:55 pm. August 8 | 3:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Instructors: Allison Hritz Bliss Letang Nicole Banner Location: Trying Together, Training Room 5604 Solway Street Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Registration: Register Registration closes August 4 at 11:55 p.m. August 26 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Instructors: Loni Gooden Jillian Miller Theresa Hetler Location: Western Allegheny Community Library 181 Bateman Road Oakdale, PA 15071 Registration: Register Registration closes August 24 at 11:55 p.m. Learn More The cost for this course is $36. This course is PQAS certified and must be paid for in full before registrants can participate. Registered individuals will receive additional course information prior to the start of the course. Please make sure to read all information before the start of the course. For questions about the sessions, contact Holly Cessna at holly.cessna@alleghenycounty.us. For credit questions, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.
