August 30, 2019 Webinar | Improving Outcomes for Opioid-Exposed Newborns Join the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (NCECHW) on September 24 for their upcoming webinar, “Improving Outcomes for Opioid-Exposed Newborns: Together, We Can Do Better.” About Join part two of NCECHW’s three-part webinar series to learn about how Head Start and Early Head Start programs are uniquely qualified to support children and families impacted by opioid and other substance use disorders. An expert specialist will provide information on perinatal opioid use, the most effective treatments for opioid addiction, and infants exposed to opioids. Explore how to help support young children and their families impacted by opioid and substance misuse. Register To register and learn more, visit the event webpage! *Information provided by ECLKC
August 1, 2019 P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festival Visit the P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festivals and experience fun activities designed to help young Black children learn about and celebrate their race, culture, and heritage. Children ages 3 to 8 will enjoy activity stations designed by trained artists and educators. Families are invited to enjoy free food, performances, art, and music! Festival Dates Upcoming festivals will be held at the following locations: Homewood August 24, 2019, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Homewood YMCA Hill District September 14, 2019, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Hug Me Tight Childlife Center Questions For more information, contact Adam Flango at 412.383.8726 or AdamFlango@pitt.edu. Share this flyer with your network.
July 5, 2019 Storymobile at Homewood-Brushton Family Support Center Families and caregivers with young children are invited to join Reading is Fundamental (RIF) Pittsburgh at the Homewood-Brushton Family Support Center for their Storymobile visits! About the Storymobile Storymobiles are libraries-on-wheels; taking stories, activities, books, and literacy resources to early childcare centers, pre-k and kindergarten classrooms, afterschool programs, public housing communities, and community events across Pittsburgh. Focused on kindergarten readiness, Storymobile programming is designed to introduce young students to the joy of reading; expose them to challenging subject matter, including math and science themes, in a way that they embrace and enjoy; and reinforce skills recommended by state and federal curricula. All children that participate with Storymobile will be signed up for the Books for Keeps program, enabling them to select a book to take home and keep four times throughout the year. Learn More To learn more, contact RIF Pittsburgh at 412.321.8022 or email info@rifpittsburgh.org. Share this flyer with your network. *Information provided by Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh
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.
June 3, 2019 The 10th Annual PA Infant Mental Health Conference Join the Pennsylvania Association for Infant Mental Health (PA-AIMH) on August 1 and 2 for the 10th Annual PA Infant Mental Health Conference. Keynote Topics PA-AIMH strives to provide a meaningful professional learning environment for all cross-sector professionals working with very young children and their families. Keynote topics will include: Infant and early childhood mental health-focused policy and messaging; Clinical interventions; Disaster and critical incident response; and Reflective supervision and practice. PQAS and Act 48 credits available for professionals in the Early Childhood Education system. Keynote Speakers Jordana Ash, LCSW, IMH-E Director of Early Childhood Mental Health Director, State of Colorado Sherryl Scott Heller, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Tulane University Joy Osofsky, Ph.D. Professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Public Health Head, Division of Pediatric Mental Health, Louisiana State University Christopher Watson, Ph.D., IMH-E Director of the Center for Reflective Practice at the Center for Early Education and Development, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Registration To register, visit the event website. Registration cost: Member: $315 General: $350 More Information For more information, visit the event website. For questions, contact PA-AIMH via email at pa-aimh@pa.-aimh.org.
May 28, 2019 Cast Your Vote: 2019 WQED Reader’s Choice Award Community members are invited to take part in selecting the 2019 WQED Reader’s Choice Award Winner by casting their votes by Friday, May 31. About For the past 10 years, WQED has partnered with The EQT Corporation to present the Writers Contest to children throughout their viewing area. Through the support of EQT, WQED has been able to reach out directly to schools, libraries, and families throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia to encourage children to submit their original stories and illustrations. In the 10 years of sponsorship from EQT, WQED has received over 12,000 story entries, communicated with hundreds of teachers and librarians to provide them with resources, impacted thousands of WQED viewers with messages about the contest, and provided a website full of information that encourages students and arms adults with relevant literacy information. Cast Your Vote Voting is now open and will end on Friday, May 31st at 12:00 p.m. The Reader’s Choice Award Winner will be announced on Monday, June 3. To learn more and cast your vote, visit the WQED website. *Information provided by WQED
Carnegie Library Summer Reading Extravaganza Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh on Sunday, June 9 from Noon – 5 p.m. in Oakland for its annual Summer Reading Extravaganza to kick things off. Families can enroll in the Summer Reading program and enjoy music, crafts, games, storytelling, food trucks, and more. Activities Library activities include: Family PlayShop, Global Library, Bouncy House, Inflatable Games, Chess Club, DataBurgh, Creative Tech and Super Science, Historical Tours of Main Library (offered in English and in Chinese), and more! Learn More To learn more about the Summer Reading Extravaganza, visit the event website.
May 23, 2019 Addressing Domestic Violence in ECE Programs Join Promising Futures on May 30 for a webinar exploring ways in which early childhood professionals and programs can support children and families affected by domestic violence. About Domestic violence harms many families with young children. However, early childhood teachers and caregivers can help children heal. Further, early childhood programs can support healthy development and work to stop domestic violence in their communities. Join Promising Futures for this upcoming webinar to learn how early childhood programs can help families affected by domestic violence. Presenters will share strategies, tools, and resources created in partnership with The National Center on Parent, Family and Community Engagement. Presenters: Virginia Duplessis, MSW, Program Director, Futures Without Violence Mie Fukuda, MA, Senior Program Specialist, Futures Without Violence Registration To register for this event, visit their webinar page. Questions For more information, contact Graciela Olguin at golguin@futureswithoutviolence.org. Share this flyer with your network.
May 20, 2019 Children’s Fund Working Group Community Meetings Join the Allegheny County Children’s Fund Working Group this spring for a series of community meetings to share your views on what works best and what additional support is needed when it comes to early learning and out-of-school time. About Allegheny County’s goal is to make sure that every child can benefit from quality early learning and out-of-school time. A series of six Community Meetings are being held across the County to learn from families, caregivers, and educators what access to quality early learning and out-of-school time looks like today—from your perspective and in your community. Each meeting will include child care, refreshments, and opportunities for community members to voice their input on how Allegheny County can be a leader for kids moving forward. Community Meeting Dates The Allegheny County Children’s Fund Working Group and community members will convene on the following dates: City Meeting – May 30 | 6:30 p.m. | Jeron X Grayson Community Center, Hill District West Meeting – June 3 | 6:30 p.m. | The Landing Community Center, Moon Township South Meeting – June 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Bethel Park Community Center North Meeting – June 5 | 6:00 p.m. | Shaler North Hills Library East Meeting – June 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Founders Hall Middle School, McKeesport Spanish-Language Meeting – June 18 | 6:30 p.m. | YWCA Building, Downtown Pittsburgh Registration & Questions Visit the Community Meeting website to learn more, RSVP, or contact event organizers.
May 16, 2019 Foster Care Awareness and National Mental Health Month Did you know that May is Foster Care Awareness Month and National Mental Health Month? In recognition of these important subjects, Every Child Inc. has highlighted information and statistics for individuals to consider as we work to better support Pennsylvania’s children, families, caregivers, and community members. Foster Care Facts Approximately 13,000 – 15,000 PA children are currently in foster care and part of the child welfare system. Between 400,000 – 500,000 children in the U.S. are in foster care each year. In 2013, more than 8,000 youth 13 and older lived in the foster care system in PA. One in four PA youth who “age out” of the system experience homelessness and/or struggle with mental health challenges such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders, with nearly 1 in 4 youth having been arrested since leaving care. Young PA women in foster care are two and a half times more likely to become pregnant by 19 than young women were not in foster care. Mental Health Facts ADHD, behavior problems, anxiety, and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children. Treatment rates vary among different mental disorders: Nearly 8 in 10 children (78.1%) aged 3-17 years with depression received treatment. 6 in 10 children (59.3%) aged 3-17 years with anxiety received treatment. More than 5 in 10 children (53.5%) aged 3-17 years with behavior disorders received treatment. Mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders begin in early childhood: 1 in 6 U.S. children aged 2–8 years (17.4%) had a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder.
