News

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.

News

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).

News

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.

News

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.

News

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.

News

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.

News

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.

News

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.

News

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.

News

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.