News

April 24, 2023

Youth Producers Meet-Up – Remake Learning Days

Calling all songwriters, beatmakers, and mix engineers ages 14-22!

Come to the Youth Producers Meet-Up to share your tracks, hear how they sound in a professional studio, get feedback from peers and professionals, eat snacks, and meet other creative young music makers in Pittsburgh.

This event is FREE to attend.

When: Thursday, 5/4 | 4 – 7:30 p.m.

Where: YMCA Lighthouse Project, 7140 Bennett Street, Pittsburgh, PA. 15208

For more information or questions, visit the Remake Learning Days – Southwestern PA event page, or contact K. Bey at kbey@ymcapgh.org.

News

March 14, 2023

UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation Offering Medical Grants for Children

The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is offering medical grants to families unable to afford child medical expenses not covered, or not fully covered, by commercial health insurance.

Families can receive up to $5,000 annually per child ($10,000 lifetime maximum per child), and do not need to have insurance through UnitedHealthcare to be eligible to receive medical grants.

About UHCCF Medical Grants

UHCCF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides medical grants to help children gain access to health-related services not covered or not fully covered by their family’s commercial health insurance plan.

Grants are available for medical costs incurred within 60 days of application and are good for one year following the month in which they are approved.

Families can use medical grants to cover the cost of deductibles, coinsurance, copays, and a variety of non-covered services and supports, including therapies, durable medical equipment, hospital stays, medication, mental health services, and most other standard/FDA approved services.

Families cannot use medical grants to pay for insurance premiums, home modifications, and experimental or unproven services. Visit the UHCCF website to find a list of other exclusions.

Grant recipients awarded less than $5,000 may re-apply for another grant once the current grant funds have been completely exhausted.

Applications not approved by the regional board must wait 12 months before re-applying unless the medical condition and requested items have significantly changed from the original request.

Grant Eligibility

Families are eligible for UHCCF medical grants if:

  • The child for whom they seek financial support is:
    • facing a health-related challenge
    • 16 years of age or younger at the time of application
    • a United States citizen and resides in the U.S.
    • covered by a commercial health plan individually purchased or provided by a caretaker’s employer
    • receiving care in the U.S. from a a licensed medical professional or receiving treatments in the U.S. prescribed by a Medical Doctor (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) or Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.)
      • Care or treatment administered in U.S. territories including U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are not eligible for UHCCF grant coverage.
  • Their maximum annual income, as reported on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 1040 Tax Form, does not exceed:
    • Family Size of two – $55,000
    • Family Size of three – $85,000
    • Family Size of four – $115,000
    • Family Size of five or more – $145,000
  • They apply in a timely manor.
    • If families seek a grant for treatment or service that occurred more than 60 days prior to the application, their application will not be considered.

Apply for a Grant

To apply for UHCCF grant:

  • Ask your child’s physician to complete the Physician Certification of Medical Condition Form and obtain an electronic copy of the completed form.
  • Obtain an electronic copy of your IRS 1040 Tax Form.
  • Obtain an electronic copy of the front and back of your current commercial/private insurance card.
  • Complete the online UHCCF grant application, attaching electronic copies of the completed and signed Medical Condition Form, IRS 1040 Tax Form, and commercial/private insurance card.

Learn More

UHCCF’s funding is provided by contributions from individuals, corporations, and UnitedHealth Group employees.

To learn more, visit the UHCCF website.

News

March 10, 2023

“Unlocking the How” in Building Effective Family-School Partnerships

Join Kidsburgh at this webinar to learn about family engagement strategies and Learning Heroes“Unlocking the How” research.

Learning Heroes’ Senior Vice President and “Unlocking the How” Researcher, Dr. Eyal Bergman, will guide attendees through the research and discuss family engagement, effective program practice, and strategy planning for schools and families.

All Parents as Allies cohort members, along with community members and other school members, are invited to join this free session.

Session Details

Wednesday, March 22 | 12 – 1 p.m.

Virtual via Zoom

Register

Learn More

To learn more, visit the Kidsburgh website.

News

January 27, 2022

Equity in Action: Prioritizing and Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announces a National Call to Action through the upcoming Information Memorandum (IM), Equity in Action: Prioritizing and Advancing Racial Equity and Support for the Undeserved Communities. The IM promotes racial equity as a critical factor to advance the economic and social well-being of children, youth, families, individuals, and communities through the administration and delivery of human services.

Join the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on February 3, 2022 to learn about the Biden administration’s overall actions to advance racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government. Explore the significance of racial equity in the U.S. and discover ways you can make an impact to advance equity.

How to Register

Registration is required for this free, virtual event. Individuals may register online via Eventbrite.

Key Topics

Topics for the webinar include:

  • Background information about the significance of and the Biden administration’s actions around racial equity
  • Agency-wide and program-specific actions taken by ACF to advance Equity in Action
  • Ways that stakeholders in the field can advance equity

About The Administration for Children and Families

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is a division of the Department of Health & Human Services. We promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities with partnerships, funding, guidance, training and technical assistance.

News

January 20, 2022

Co-Creating A Healing Community of Equity & Trust

Join Trying Together for an upcoming session, “Co-Creating a Healing Community of Equity & Trust”.

Communities, however defined, are made up of people who bring a range of experiences and histories. Remaining open, curious, and culturally humble is essential to understanding a community’s resilience, strength, and wisdom. Claudia Woody says, “Inclusion means not ‘just we’re allowed to be there,’ but we are valued there.” Participants will explore the 5 Blocks of Building Restorative Relationships that allow caregivers to create holistic and supportive spaces that are responsive to historical trauma and equity literacy which holds us accountable to doing the work of learning together, seeking understanding, and creating a safe, valued, and heard community.

UnConference: Creating a Safe Place with Trauma-Informed Care

This session is a part of Trying Together’s upcoming UnConference. Between February 8-18, expert-led workshops will share content related to trauma-informed care. We begin the UnConference with keynote speaker Dr. Veirdre Jackson and dive into how we can create an environment of healing through equity and trust. Following the keynote, workshop sessions include how to identify family stressors, how to provide responsive care-giving for children experiencing trauma, and an overview of the recently launched Rapid Response Team from Trying Together.

Individuals can learn more and register on Trying Together’s website.

News

December 8, 2021

New Pittsburgh Public Schools Board Members and President

On December 7, 2021, after new school board members Jamie Piotrowski, Tracey Reed, and Eugene Walker were sworn in, Sala Udin (School Board District 3) was elected President of the Board. Devon Taliaferro (District 2) was named 1st Vice-President and Pam Harbin (District 4) was named 2nd Vice-President.

One of the first major actions the board will need to take will be to approve the 2022 budget of $690.3 million. Since 2017, spending in Pittsburgh Public Schools (district and charter) has grown by $99.3 million while revenues have grown by $45.6 million. The board will also need to approve a plan to spend $100 million in American Rescue Plan dollars by the end of the year as well (which called for money for tutors, out of school partnerships, operational excellence, and more).

The biggest challenge facing this board is that overall K-12  enrollment in Pittsburgh’s public schools has declined by 2,916 students since 2017 (District: -4,041; Charter: +1,125).

A+ Schools will host a lunch and learn conversation on Wednesday, December 15 at noon to discuss the budget proposals. Registration for this virtual event may be completed online.

News

December 1, 2021

Children Admitted Free to Heinz History Center

During the month of December, children aged 17 and under will receive free admission to the Heinz History Center as part of their A Very Merry Pittsburgh event. Individuals must reserve tickets in advance before attending.

About the Exhibit

The History Center’s exhibition, A Very Merry Pittsburgh, features a special section with family keepsakes, artifacts, film, and imagery that explore how Western Pennsylvanians have celebrated major winter holidays, including Christmas, Chanukah, Diwali, and Kwanzaa, through the years.

A Very Merry Pittsburgh will transport you back to the bustling holiday season in Downtown Pittsburgh with decorations and artifacts from popular department stores like Kaufmann’s & Macy’s, Horne’s, and Gimbels.

The exhibit is open through January 17, 2022.

News

Webinar: Racism, Anti-Racism, and the Social Ecology

Join Strengthening Families upcoming webinar, Racism, Anti-Racism, and the Social Ecology. This event will be held virtually and interested individuals may register online.

Additional Information

This webinar will explore how racism permeates the social ecology of children’s and families’ lives through the lens of a new infographic from the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), and what it looks like to implement anti-racist strategies, policies, and practices as individuals, in organizations, and at the community and societal levels.

Dr. Charlyn Harper Browne and Cailin O’Connor will draw from CSSP’s anti-racist intersectional frame and explore how Strengthening Families can be implemented as an anti-racist approach to work with families. Following the presentation, participants will have time to discuss and share their reflections on the content as well as thoughts about how to apply these ideas in their work.

Participants will also hear about other new resources and opportunities from CSSP and the Children’s Trust Fund Alliance.

News

July 13, 2021

Parent Advisory Committee | The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center

The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a group of parents, grandparents, and child care providers that provide input to The Homewood Early Learning Hub and Family Center on designing programs and services that meet the needs of families.

When

Meeting every fourth Thursday
6:00 p.m.

Where

The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center
7219 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

More Information

Please contact The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center at 412.545.5039 with any questions. For more information, please visit https://tryingtogether.org/community-resources/hub-and-family-center/

News

Parent Advisory Committee | The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center

The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a group of parents, grandparents, and child care providers that provide input to The Homewood Early Learning Hub and Family Center on designing programs and services that meet the needs of families.

When

Meeting every fourth Thursday
6:00 p.m.

Where

The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center
7219 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

More Information

Please contact The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center at 412.545.5039 with any questions. For more information, please visit https://tryingtogether.org/community-resources/hub-and-family-center/