July 2, 2025 American Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Training Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 are partnering to provide in person and hybrid First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) trainings to early childhood professionals. About the Course This PQAS-certified in-person course 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. The cost is $70. 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. Information for Hybrid Sessions The online coursework for hybrid sessions must be completed prior to the in-person class. Access to the online coursework will be provided via email upon completion of registration. Allow yourself 3-4 hours to complete. We advise completing the online coursework at least 48 hours prior to your in-person course. You will need to provide proof of completion by providing a copy of your completion email either printed or on your mobile device of class in order to participate in the in-person class portion of the training. Session Details Thursday, Jan. 15 | Hybrid | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. HeartPrints, 850 Cranberry Woods Drive #1227, Room 2219, Cranberry Township Register Cost: $70 Tuesday, Feb. 24 | Hybrid | 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Elizabeth Seton Center (Brookline), 1900 Pioneer Ave., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Saturday, March 14 | Full Class | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Trying Together, 5604 Solway St., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Saturday, May 16 | Full Class | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Elizabeth Seton Center (Brookline), 1900 Pioneer Ave., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Monday, June 1 | Hybrid | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Pitt CEC-Homewood, 622 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Questions? For questions about the sessions, contact Amanda Murphy at amanda@tryingtogether.org.
American Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Training Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 are partnering to provide in person and hybrid First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) trainings to early childhood professionals. About the Course This PQAS-certified in-person course 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. The cost is $70. 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. Information for Hybrid Sessions The online coursework for hybrid sessions must be completed prior to the in-person class. Access to the online coursework will be provided via email upon completion of registration. Allow yourself 3-4 hours to complete. We advise completing the online coursework at least 48 hours prior to your in-person course. You will need to provide proof of completion by providing a copy of your completion email either printed or on your mobile device of class in order to participate in the in-person class portion of the training. Session Details Saturday, March 14 | Full Class | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Trying Together, 5604 Solway St., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Saturday, May 16 | Full Class | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Elizabeth Seton Center (Brookline), 1900 Pioneer Ave., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Monday, June 1 | Hybrid | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Pitt CEC-Homewood, 622 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Questions? For questions about the sessions, contact Amanda Murphy at amanda@tryingtogether.org.
American Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Training Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 are partnering to provide in person and hybrid First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) trainings to early childhood professionals. About the Course This PQAS-certified in-person course 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. The cost is $70. 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. Information for Hybrid Sessions The online coursework for hybrid sessions must be completed prior to the in-person class. Access to the online coursework will be provided via email upon completion of registration. Allow yourself 3-4 hours to complete. We advise completing the online coursework at least 48 hours prior to your in-person course. You will need to provide proof of completion by providing a copy of your completion email either printed or on your mobile device of class in order to participate in the in-person class portion of the training. Session Details Saturday, May 16 | Full Class | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Elizabeth Seton Center (Brookline), 1900 Pioneer Ave., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Monday, June 1 | Hybrid | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Pitt CEC-Homewood, 622 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Questions? For questions about the sessions, contact Amanda Murphy at amanda@tryingtogether.org.
American Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Training Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 are partnering to provide in person and hybrid First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) trainings to early childhood professionals. About the Course This PQAS-certified in-person course 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. The cost is $70. 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. Information for Hybrid Sessions The online coursework for hybrid sessions must be completed prior to the in-person class. Access to the online coursework will be provided via email upon completion of registration. Allow yourself 3-4 hours to complete. We advise completing the online coursework at least 48 hours prior to your in-person course. You will need to provide proof of completion by providing a copy of your completion email either printed or on your mobile device of class in order to participate in the in-person class portion of the training. Session Details Monday, June 1 | Hybrid | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Pitt CEC-Homewood, 622 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Questions? For questions about the sessions, contact Amanda Murphy at amanda@tryingtogether.org.
American Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Training Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 are partnering to provide in person and hybrid First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) trainings to early childhood professionals. About the Course This PQAS-certified in-person course 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. The cost is $70. 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. Information for Hybrid Sessions The online coursework for hybrid sessions must be completed prior to the in-person class. Access to the online coursework will be provided via email upon completion of registration. Allow yourself 3-4 hours to complete. We advise completing the online coursework at least 48 hours prior to your in-person course. You will need to provide proof of completion by providing a copy of your completion email either printed or on your mobile device of class in order to participate in the in-person class portion of the training. Session Details Tuesday, Feb. 24 | Hybrid | 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Elizabeth Seton Center (Brookline), 1900 Pioneer Ave., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Saturday, March 14 | Full Class | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Trying Together, 5604 Solway St., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Saturday, May 16 | Full Class | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Elizabeth Seton Center (Brookline), 1900 Pioneer Ave., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Monday, June 1 | Hybrid | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Pitt CEC-Homewood, 622 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh Register Cost: $70 Questions? For questions about the sessions, contact Amanda Murphy at amanda@tryingtogether.org.
May 13, 2025 Rapid Response Team Provides Educator Coaching, Resources for Children in Danger of Expulsion Trying Together and Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5’s Rapid Response Team provides hands-on coaching for educators and resources for families and caregivers to prevent the expulsion or suspension of children in early childhood education. The team utilizes principles of early relational health and social-emotional development of young children as well as building the capacities of adults to utilize positive approaches to address behavioral challenges and family engagement and relationships. Learn More The Rapid Response Team is a short-term service to support early childhood education programs, serving children from birth to age 5 as well as their teachers and families or caregivers. The Rapid Response Team provides hand-on support through use of the pyramid model that is broken down into three tiers. Tier one is based on the use of an effective workforce practice including classroom environment and social emotional learning. The other two tiers involve more comprehensive support, especially for children who have needs beyond what is provided by the first tier – such as specific therapies or referrals to outside agencies for evaluation. While a child’s behavior may be challenging to adults, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they have a developmental or intellectual disability or that a mental health diagnosis is necessary. The team participates in classroom observation to help an educator implement tier-one supports before looking into more intensive ones. It also coaches teachers, supports families with resources, and collaborates as a team with child care centers or any outside resource such as outpatient therapy or functional behavior assessments. The Rapid Response Team, which contracts with board-certified behavior analysts, currently has one position open and recently added Kelly Palko as its intervention coordinator. Deysi Keegan, the team’s assistant director, said the initiative helps both students and adults. “I think it helps the children stay in their centers,” she said. “That helps them be able to thrive and continue to learn. Obviously, in turn, that helps their families. It’s about being able to help families and centers to get the support they need for children. It also provides teachers with new skill sets, helping them to work on relationships between children and their families and providing confidence to follow through on strategies they’re coached on.” How the Team Works The team contacts the provider or family within 48 hours once a referral is made. If the child is in immediate danger of suspension or expulsion, the team will take part in a meeting or virtual observation, depending on scheduling availability. If a child has already been suspended, the team will not go into the child’s classroom, but will provide the child’s family and childcare with resources. Reports can be made by a child’s family members or child care providers through an intake form. Individual child referrals not made by a parent or legal guardian must use a Rapid Response Release, which can be sent to rapidresponse@tryingtogether.org. To obtain the team’s services, parents must have children between the ages of birth and 5 years. The team occasionally receives requests for school-age children and, in those cases, provides some resources. Keegan said students are often expelled or suspended unnecessarily and it is part of the Rapid Response Team’s job to work with teachers, directors, and families to avoid it from happening. “There are occasions – and it’s the whole point of us stepping in – when students can be singled out due to a disability, race, or family culture or dynamics, and in that case it’s up to us to disrupt that by helping the child care program think outside of the box,” she said. Helping Children Flourish Keegan said the team has seen its share of success working with families and educators. She cited a recent example of a child who was expelled, but whom the team helped to get early intervention services. The child has now been placed in another child care program and, according to Keegan, is “thriving.” “We helped his teacher to understand some of his big emotions,” she said. “I’m so excited for him – he’s doing great.” Keegan said the Rapid Response Team provides coaching for educators in the least restrictive environment and resources for families to ensure that children are in an environment in which they can flourish. “I think it’s important for us as the Rapid Response Team to build relationships with early childhood educators and our community,” she said. “I think it’s important to connect families to the appropriate resources, so children feel safe and secure in their environment and that teachers have the tools they need to meet diverse needs.”
March 17, 2025 April is the Month of the Young Child April has been designated as the Month of the Young Child. Trying Together is taking part in and hosting 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. Events There are a number of great events to celebrate the Month of the Young Child. These include: Week of the Young Child Events at the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center – The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center will have special programming to celebrate young children and their caregivers the week of April 7. Learn more. 2025 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 10 at Acrisure Stadium for dinner, a photo booth, and prizes. There is currently a wait-list for this event. Annual Early Childhood Education Affiliate Dinner – On Tuesday, April 8, this event at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg will feature a dinner and lecture with Dr. Eboni M. Zamani-Gallaher, a leading authority on educational organization and leadership. The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. at the university’s gymnasium in Chambers Hall and the lecture will follow at 6:45 p.m. More details are available online. Working Families and the Need for Childcare Workshop – During this workshop – which runs from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16 – participants will learn how to search for and find child care options near their home and work. The workshop will also cover public funding options to pay for child care, resources to share with employees so they can easily find and navigate child care, the state of child care, and the impact on the workforce. Emily Neff, Trying Together’s director of public policy, will present during the workshop, which will be held at PAACC’s office at 850 Beaver Grade Road in Moon Township. Register online or by calling 412-264-6270. NAEYC Week of the Young Child – The NAEYC will celebrate daily themes as part of its Week of the Young Child from April 5 to 11. Visit the NAEYC’s website for more information on the daily themes and activity resources.
March 5, 2025 Community of Practice for Home-Based Educators ELRC Region 5 is hosting Communities of Practice for home-based early learning educators to discuss topics of interest, ask questions, and offer insight and inspiration to one another. Learn More Meetings occur virtually every other Tuesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The sessions include: March 25: Certification and Announcements April 8: Handbooks and Policies April 22: Health and Safety/Emergency Plans/Fire and Emergency Drills May 13: Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity May 27: Lesson Plans and Daily Schedules June 10: Outdoor Spaces June 24: Professional Development Training and Resources July 8: Keystone STARS – Star 2 Designation July 22: Keystone STARS – Star 3 and Star 4 Designations/National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Accreditation Each of the sessions will be held on Zoom. For more information, contact Kathy Wolfe by email at Kathy.elrc@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-224-0416.
Community of Practice for Home-Based Educators ELRC Region 5 is hosting Communities of Practice for home-based early learning educators to discuss topics of interest, ask questions, and offer insight and inspiration to one another. Learn More Meetings occur virtually every other Tuesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The sessions include: March 25: Certification and Announcements April 8: Handbooks and Policies April 22: Health and Safety/Emergency Plans/Fire and Emergency Drills May 13: Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity May 27: Lesson Plans and Daily Schedules June 10: Outdoor Spaces June 24: Professional Development Training and Resources July 8: Keystone STARS – Star 2 Designation July 22: Keystone STARS – Star 3 and Star 4 Designations/National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Accreditation Each of the sessions will be held on Zoom. For more information, contact Kathy Wolfe by email at Kathy.elrc@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-224-0416.
Community of Practice for Home-Based Educators ELRC Region 5 is hosting Communities of Practice for home-based early learning educators to discuss topics of interest, ask questions, and offer insight and inspiration to one another. Learn More Meetings occur virtually every other Tuesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The sessions include: March 25: Certification and Announcements April 8: Handbooks and Policies April 22: Health and Safety/Emergency Plans/Fire and Emergency Drills May 13: Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity May 27: Lesson Plans and Daily Schedules June 10: Outdoor Spaces June 24: Professional Development Training and Resources July 8: Keystone STARS – Star 2 Designation July 22: Keystone STARS – Star 3 and Star 4 Designations/National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Accreditation Each of the sessions will be held on Zoom. For more information, contact Kathy Wolfe by email at Kathy.elrc@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-224-0416.
