November 26, 2019 Professional Development Catalog About For more than 55 years, Trying Together has supported the work of early childhood with a dedication to making sure every caregiver feels valued. In pursuit of this vision, Trying Together delivers professional growth services that connect with high-quality early childhood practices. Our Professional Development Catalog To view a list of Trying Together’s professional growth services, see our Professional Development Catalog (PDF). Course focus areas include Inclusion, Play, Interactions, Leadership, and Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP). See Our Upcoming Courses Visit Our Course Calendar To register for our upcoming courses, visit Trying Together’s Courses page. Request a Custom Course You can request a customized offering by submitting the online Request for Professional Services Form. Customized courses can be created to meet individual or group goals, interests, and needs. All custom course requests must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the desired course start date. To view custom course fees, see our Professional Development Fee for Service document (PDF). PD Credit, Standards, and Competencies All of our courses are instructed by a certified PQAS instructor and are ACT 48 approved. We strive to ensure that all of our courses align with: Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies, NAEYC Standards, Danielson Framework, and Keystone STARS performance standards. To best meet the needs of each professional growth content request, Trying Together may draw on an External Instructor’s expertise. COVID-19 Restrictions Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Trying Together has suspended in-person professional growth sessions until October 2021. At this time, only virtual and online sessions are available. Starting October, both in-person and virtual opportunities will be available to interested professionals. More Information For more information, contact Allison Hritz at allison@tryingtogether.org. To receive updates, sign up to receive our newsletter or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
July 1, 2019 ELRC Region 5 Launches in Allegheny County Today, July 1, 2019, the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) officially became the ELRC for Region 5, providing information and services to families and early childhood professionals about high-quality child care in Allegheny County. These services and information provided include: Child Care Works Subsidized Child Care Program (CCW) Keystone STARS Early Learning Programs (like PA Pre-K Counts and Head Start) Early Intervention As is customary for ACDHS, the agency chose two well established partners to facilitate this work including, The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers and Trying Together. The Alliance will provide direct service to families, while Trying Together will provide direct service to early care and education providers in Allegheny County. About ELRC Region 5 CORE VALUES At ELRC Region 5, we recognize the dignity and potential of all people through our interactions with those we serve and the services we seek to deliver, coordinate and align. We commit to: Meeting and honoring the child, family and early care and education professional where they are on their developmental journey. Recognizing that children are best supported in the context of their family, culture, neighborhood, and community. Recognizing (or realizing) we have much to learn from children, families and early care and education professionals and seek to bring this learning to our work. Collaborating in partnership across sectors and expertise to deliver services that build on the inherent strengths of children, families, and the early care and education professional. Building familial, professional and partner relationships with open and honest communication. Services Available FAMILIES Community members may call or visit one of several ELRC sites to receive information or initiate services. Families will be greeted and connected to a Family Navigator for on-going assistance. The Navigators will help their clients understand and navigate the early care and education system, including supporting them through the process to apply for and enroll to receive a child care subsidy, while simultaneously assessing for and connecting them with other supports and services that meet their needs. Once a family has completed the initial application process, they are connected to a Family Specialist for the ongoing management of their child care subsidy. EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS Early childhood professionals first will connect with an Early Learning Program Engagement Specialist and subsequently a Quality Coach – all of whom are assigned to regions so that providers can turn to a consistent staff person in their community. The Early Learning Program Engagement Specialist will serve as the professional’s initial point of contact and will help to identify the initial needs of the provider, such as enrollment in Child Care Works (CCW – the child care subsidy program) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) or support to participate or increase quality in the Keystone STARS program. They are responsible for recruiting, establishing eligibility, and enrolling providers of all types in Child Care Works. Quality Coaches will complete a full needs assessment with the program staff, and based on individualized plans, the coaches will use a variety of methods to support continuous quality improvement. The assigned Quality Coach will serve as the provider’s single point of contact, helping to coordinate support from the full team available to assist providers with a variety of tasks, specialized needs, or challenges (STARS designations, CCW billing, etc.). Service Offerings Supplemental services will vary by location, but core services available at each site include: Assistance with understanding, identifying, and enrolling in high quality child care Connection to an appropriate home visiting program, including Early Head Start Information about the Family Support Centers Public benefits enrollment through Compass Voter registration Support for Early Care and Education Providers Provider enrollment in CCW Provider enrollment in Child and Adult Care Food Program Provider support for continuous quality improvement through individualized coaching to obtain higher STAR levels Support for Relative Provider certification (health and safety) Referrals and connections to community-based services covering a full range of human services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Where are the ELRC Region 5 offices located and how do I contact them? Main Office: ELRC Region 5 304 Wood Street, STE 400 Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1928 Satellite Offices: (Beginning August 1, 2019) Kingsley Association 6435 Frankstown Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Hosanna House 807 Wallace Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15221 Human Services Center 519 Penn Avenue Turtle Creek, PA 15145 South Hills Interfaith Movement 41 Macek Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15227 Providence Family Support Center 3113 Brighton Road Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Focus on Renewal Learning Center 500 Chartiers Avenue McKees Rocks, PA 1513 Phone: 412.350.3577 Toll-Free: 1.888.340.3572 Fax: 412.350.3575 E-mail: elrc5@alleghenycounty.us Website: https://elrc5.alleghenycounty.us Facebook: @ELRCregion5 Twitter: @ELRCregion5 What are the hours of operation? Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.* *Walk-ins accepted until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday 8:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m.** **5:00–7:00 p.m. by appointment only Who manages ELRC Region 5? The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) partners with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to support Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 in partnership with The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers and Trying Together. In spring of 2018, the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) announced that the state was moving towards a new service model called an Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). This change was made to consolidate family and early learning provider services to better meet the needs of young children, their families, and the early childhood professionals who interact with them.
