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.
May 3, 2023 ELRC Requiring All Subsidized Child Care Providers to Submit Closed Days Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRC) are requiring all in- and out-of-state child care providers participating in the Child Care Works (CCW) Subsidized Child Care Program to provide their Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 closed days. CCW is managed by local ELRC offices, and closed days must be provided to them by May 15. About Closed Days The ELRC pays subsidized child care providers for a limited number of days that their facilities are closed, when those providers also charge private-pay clients for their closed days. During FY 2023-24 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024), CCW will pay up to 15 closed days. However, these closed days must be provided to ELRC by the May 15 deadline. In no case will the ELRC pay for more than 15 closed days per year. In-state and out-of-state providers using Provider Self-Service (PSS) have more flexibility to manage closed days than those not using PSS. Providers with PSS access may add, delete, or change closed days that occur in the current month, are planned for a future month, or that occurred in a prior month (even if the day is not an emergency closure), if the change is entered before the 6th of the current month. Requirements for changing closed days by providers not using PSS are described below. Child care providers can register for PSS at pelican.state.pa.us/provider. If you have questions when registering for or using PSS, call the PELICAN Help Desk at 1-877-491-3818. Providing Closed Days to the ELRC Providers Using PSS Providers using PSS must update closed days online. The ELRC will NOT enter the closed days for you. After accessing your PSS account: Click “Provider Profile,” then “Manage Closed Days.” On the “Location Closed Days Summary” page, select “2023.” Large, state-observed holidays will be prepopulated. Please indicate whether private-pay parents pay you for these closed days. If you are open on a prepopulated closed day, delete that day. Enter the remainder of your closed days by clicking the “Add Closed Day” button, and indicate whether private-pay parents pay you for the closed days you enter. Closed days must be entered into PSS by May 15. Providers Not Using PPS Providers not using PSS must complete Provider Agreement Appendix B and return their completed appendix to the ELRC by May 15. To find your local ELRC, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website. Please note: Once providers not using PPS identify their closed days, they may not change them. Since providers not using PPS cannot change their closed days once submitted, you may want to limit the number of closed days you declare at the beginning of the year, in case you need to add closures later in the year. If you initially choose fewer than 15 closed days and need to increase closed days at a future date, you may only do so by: Notifying the ELRC at least two weeks prior to adding closed days. Notifying the ELRC within three (3) days of reopening your facility following an emergency closure, such as a snow day. If you do not return Provider Agreement Appendix B by May 15, all the commonwealth holidays will be entered as paid closures and will not be changed if you are open for business. Learn More Provider Profile Providers located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who use PSS are encouraged to update their provider profile information through PSS. This information about your facility includes rates you charge your private-pay families, closed days, hours of operation, and activities offered. It is presented to the public through internet searches in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS). In-state providers who do not use PSS can contact the ELRC to update their profile information. Out-of-state child care providers do not have a provider profile. Additional Information If you have any questions, please contact your ELRC at 412-350-3577.
April 20, 2023 ELRC Region 5 Shares Resources and Information on Facebook Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 makes resources and information available on social media. With an active presence on Facebook, ELRC Region 5 provides families, early learning service providers, and communities support for their child care needs in real time. Learn More Social media managers post to the ELRC Region 5 Facebook page at least once a day, providing the most up-to-date early childhood news, professional development opportunities, family events, ELRC Region 5 office hours, Child Care Works (CCW) information, family assistance opportunities, and more. Facebook users interested in receiving daily information from ELRC Region 5 should like or follow the ELRC Region 5 page. For additional resources and information from ELRC Region 5, subscribe to the monthly ELRC Region 5 Family Newsletter, or weekly ELRC Region 5 Providers Newsletter.
April 4, 2023 Diaper Bank at ELRC Region 5 The ELRC Region 5’s main office in downtown Pittsburgh is now a Diaper Bank location in Allegheny County. Learn More Emergency diapers and wipes are available at the ELRC Region 5. Families can receive up to 50 diapers and two packs of wipes per month. Opened diapers and wipes may not be returned or exchanged. The office is located at: 304 Wood Street, Suite 400 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Call 412.350.3577 for more information.
November 19, 2020 ELRC Region 5 Office to Close November 23 Due to rising COVID-19 cases and the stay-at-home advisory in Allegheny County, the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 downtown office on Wood Street will be closed to the public beginning Monday, November 23. About On November 18, a stay-at-home and stop social gatherings public health advisory was issued by the Allegheny County Health Department. Due to this advisory and the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County, ELRC Region 5 will close its downtown office to the public. The downtown and satellite offices will remain closed through December 31, 2020. ELRC Region 5 staff will continue to provide high-quality customer service via phone and video conferencing. More Information For more information, read this news post from ELRC Region 5.
October 21, 2020 Allegheny County Family Resource Map Now Available Are you interested in accessing food, housing, parent, or employment services? Check out ELRC Region 5’s Allegheny County Family Resource Map to view resources available near you! About The Allegheny County Family Resource Map highlights the addresses, phone numbers, and websites of a variety of family supports, including: Aging Care and Education Employment Family Activities Food Health Housing New Parents Outdoors and Recreation Transportation 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. More Information For questions or to submit a map suggestion, please contact ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.