December 24, 2020 Housing Resources for Families in Allegheny County If your family is at risk for eviction, local resources and programs are available to help. Housing and Eviction Resources Housing Stabilization Program The Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Housing Stabilization Program provides one-time or short term (up to three months) financial assistance to households who are facing a temporary, non-reoccurring housing crisis. Depending on which type of support is needed, you may be able to receive funding to cover move-in fees, utilities, rent, mortgage payments, and legal fees. Eligibility To qualify, individuals must: be a renter or homeowner, live in the City of Pittsburgh, be at or below 50 percent of the Average Monthly Income if a renter, be at or below 80 percent of the Average Monthly Income if a homeowner, and develop a stability plan with a service provider. Apply For This Program If you are eligible, contact United Way by dialing 211 or texting your zip code to 898.211. Interested applicants may also contact United Way via chatroom (located at the bottom right of the webpage) or the online contact form. Housing Legal Assistance Program The Housing Legal Assistance Program assists individuals through the following services: Tangled-Title: Legal assistance of up to $5,000 if you own a home but need the deed transferred to your name. Eviction Prevention: Legal assistance of up to $3,000 if you are at risk of eviction or are currently experiencing eviction and need legal assistance. Eligibility To qualify for Tangled-Title assistance, individuals must live in the City of Pittsburgh, have an income that is at or below 80 percent of the Average Monthly Income, and not have any outstanding City, School, and County real estate taxes (or must be on a payment plan for at least three months. To qualify for Eviction Prevention assistance, individuals must live in the City of Pittsburgh, have an income that is at or below 50 percent of the Average Monthly Income, and be experiencing wrongful threats of lock-out, eviction, or sub-standard living conditions. Apply For This Program To apply for Tangled-Title assistance, contact United Way by texting your zip code to 898-211 or by dialing 211. To apply for Eviction Prevention, call 412.255.6574 or email hof@ura.org. For more information, contact Victoria Jackson at 412.255.6696 or hof@ura.org. Just Mediation Pittsburgh Just Mediation Pittsburgh offers free, confidential mediation services to landlords and tenants who are looking to find solutions to housing disputes. Just Mediation Pittsburgh mediators facilitate a dialogue between both parties to identify positive solutions and create a shared, legally binding agreement. Request Services Participation in these services is voluntary. Both parties must be willing to share their perspectives, listen to the other individual’s perspective, and create constructive solutions. To request services, visit the Just Mediation Pittsburgh page. For more information, contact 412.228.0730 or info@mysite.com. Allegheny Link If you are experiencing a housing crisis, the Allegheny Link can help connect you to resources. The Allegheny Link will assess your eligibility for homeless supports such as rental assistance, utility assistance, and homeless services. Range Of Services The Allegheny Link assists Allegheny County residents: who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in finding stable housing, who are pregnant, or parents and caregivers of children up to age six years of age, get referrals to home visiting programs, who are over the age of 60 live safely in their community, and with any disability find services that meet their needs. Contact If you are in need of services, contact the Allegheny Link at 1.866.730.2368. This line will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Callers between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. will be directed to appropriate supports by an automated message. Individuals can also contact the Allegheny Link via email. This method is especially suggested for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Rental Payment Assistance The Department of Public Assistance has an Emergency Shelter Fund that provides financial assistance to help individuals prevent eviction or foreclosure, obtain permanent housing, or obtain temporary shelter. Individuals must be receiving public assistance benefits to qualify. For more information, contact 412.565.2146. Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh, Inc. Do you feel you have been the victim of housing discrimination? Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh investigates allegations of housing discrimination. If you have been a victim of housing discrimination, all of their services are free of charge. Report Discrimination To file an anonymous complaint, or to speak with a member of their staff, call 412.391.2535. Individuals can also report discrimination by completing this online form. Shelter Directory Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program has a Shelter Directory on its website that contains a filterable list of emergency shelters and housing providers. Shelters and providers included on the list accept homeless families and/or homeless youth. Some shelters and providers may admit single adults. Access the Directory. More Information Visit the Allegheny County website to learn more about housing subsidies, mortgage assistance, homelessness, discrimination support services, and more. If you are an individual experiencing homelessness, visit the Homeless Services page.
December 18, 2020 Families Invited to Complete Online COVID-19 Survey Do you have an elementary-age child (five to 12 years old) who goes to a public school? If yes, you are invited to participate in an online survey to share your experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. About The purpose of the Children, COVID-19, and its Consequences (the “Triple C”) Project is to analyze how COVID-19 is affecting familial economic and child well-being. Triple C is the first study to provide a comprehensive portrait of the well-being of families and children across multiple cities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Families who complete the survey will receive a $25 electronic Amazon gift card. Researchers may contact survey participants to complete follow-up surveys three months and nine months after the completion of the first survey. Sign Up To Participate To sign up, please visit the Triple C study page. More Information This research is sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh in collaboration with Duke University, University of Washington, and Rutgers University. For questions, text 240.449.9898 or email evotruba@pitt.edu. For more information, visit the Triple C Project website. Share this flyer with your network.
December 9, 2020 COVID-19: Resources for Parents and Caregivers If you are a parent, caregiver, or family member living in Pennsylvania, it’s important to remain calm, prepare, and take precautionary measures to maintain the health and wellbeing of yourself, your family, and the community. Continue reading below for a brief overview of COVID-19 and a list of family and caregiver resources. PA 2.1.1 Southwest If you require assistance and would like to access an extensive list of family and caregiver resources, please call 2.1.1 or text your zip code to 898.211 to receive text alerts. For more information or to receive support, visit the 2.1.1 website. PA 2.1.1 Southwest seeks to provide an easy-to-remember phone number and web resource for finding health and human services for everyday needs and in crisis situations, serving the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland. An Overview of COVID-19 COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus not previously seen in humans. Because the virus impacts the respiratory system, common symptoms of infection include fever, dry cough, tiredness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. However, WHO states that some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and diarrhea. After being infected with COVID-19, individuals generally display mild symptoms that begin gradually, but some people who become infected may not develop any symptoms at all and may feel healthy. To learn more about COVID-19 and the steps you can take to reduce your family’s risk of infection, read our recent news post. This post also includes information about what to do after infection, information on how it spreads, and links to several other organizations and entities that can provide more information. Guidance for Pennsylvanians As of May 31, COVID mitigation orders are lifted in Pennsylvania. The order requiring universal face coverings was lifted statewide on June 28, 2021. The Pennsylvania Department of Health still urges Pennsylvanians to follow CDC guidance on wearing masks where required by law, rules, and regulations, including healthcare, local businesses, and workplace guidance. Search for Child Care If your family is in need of child care, visit the Allegheny Child Care website to search for programs in Allegheny County or visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website to search for programs throughout Pennsylvania. Meals for Children The Summer Food Service Program distributes free Grab ‘n Go Meals to children at 13 CitiPark and 34 partner locations in Pittsburgh. Meals are available to children up to the age of 18, and to individuals with disabilities up to 21 years old. This program runs from June 11 through August 13, 2021 (dates vary by location). To learn more, visit the program webpage or call 412.571.3291. Resources Information about COVID-19 Daily Updates from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, PAcast How COVID-19 Spreads, CDC Coronavirus, Social Distancing, and Self-Quarantine, Johns Hopkins Medicine Information for Pregnant Women and Children, CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19), Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding: A Message for Patients, ACOG Informational Videos about COVID-19, CDC Why are people wearing masks? Why are people covering their faces?, ZERO TO THREE CDC Report: Coronavirus Strikes All Ages, AARP How to Spot Fake News (and Teach Kids to Be Media-Savvy), Common Sense Media People who are at a higher risk of severe illness, CDC American Sign Language (ASL) COVID-19 Resources, CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), AAP COVID-19 and Children: FAQ, CDC Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): What Parents Should Know, Unicef Information on COVID-19 and Pregnant Woman and Children, CDC A Message on COVID-19 From the Children’s Bureau, Children’s Bureau For Parents: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19, CDC Guide to Coronavirus for Cancer Patients, Asbestos.com Breastfeeding & COVID-19: FAQs, infantCPR Community Resources, PA Unites Against Covid COVID-19 Parent Information, CDC Talking with Children Early Learning Resources During COVID-19, ELRC Region 5 Talking with Children About Coronavirus, Fred Rogers Center Caring for Each Other, Sesame Street Responding to Children’s Emotional Needs During Times of Crisis, Healthy Children, AAP Tips for Families: Coronavirus, Zero to Three Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19, NCTSN Are your kids anxious about Coronavirus? Dr. G is here to help, Kidsburgh How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus, PBS KIDS for Parents Talking with Your Children about COVID-19, CDC Online Interactive Game that Teaches Children about Germs and Handwashing, Luma One A guide to keeping your child safe and reassured as coronavirus spreads, CNN Health Washing Your Hands, CDC Hand Washing for Kids: 5 Easy Steps to Teach Hand Hygiene, Moms Against Cooties Kick Germs to The Curb While Singing This Daniel Tiger Song!, Fred Rogers Productions How to Wash Hands, Sesame Street A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to Talk to Your Child, KidsHealth “REMEMBER”: Surviving the Pandemic with your Children!, IACAPAP Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus, Child Mind Institute How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus, PBS Are Your Kids Anxious About Coronavirus? Dr. G is Here to Help, Kidsburgh Helping Kids Who Are Worried About Coronavirus, Counselor Keri Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times, UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute Autism Team Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs in Emergencies, CDC How to Talk to Younger Kids About Changes at School During COVID-19, Connecticut Childen’s Vaccines for Children and Adolescents: Lessons and Activities, Baylor University Prevention COVID-19 Self-Checker, CDC Plan Ahead Checklist: Get Your Home Ready, CDC Preparing Your Home: FAQs for Individuals and Families, CDC Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide, Ready PA Parents: Get Your Children Ready for COVID-19, CDC Recommendations for Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Environment, CDC Tips for Keeping Children Healthy While School’s Out, CDC Three ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, MIT Medical Hand Washings for Kids: 5 Easy Steps to Teach Hand Hygiene, Moms Against Cooties When Vaccine is Limited, Who Gets Vaccinated First?, CDC 8 Things to Know about the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program, CDC Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination, CDC Answers to Your Questions About Covid Vaccines and Kids, The New York Times After Infection What to do if you are sick or suspect that you’re sick with COVID-19, CDC Recommended precautions for household members, intimate partners, and caregivers, CDC What You Should Do If Caring for Someone with Coronavirus, American Red Cross Employee Rights, United States Department of Labor How to Protect Your Family After Being Discharged From the Hospital With COVID, Safety.com Impacts on Child Care, School, and Work How to Find, Choose, and Pay for High-Quality Child Care: A Guide for Families Family Checklist: Questions to Ask Your Early Learning Provider During COVID-19 Information for Pennsylvania Employees Impacted by COVID-19, Office of Unemployment Compensation Coronavirus & Paid Family Leave, Single Mom Defined Create a Backup Child Care Plan, Child Care Aware of North Dakota Coronavirus and School Closures, Education Week Coronavirus Information for Education: Pre-K, K-12 Schools, and Higher Education, PA Department of Health Ensuring Students with Disabilities Continue to Receive Services, U.S. Department of Education To Close or Not? How Superintendents Decide to Shut Down Schools, Education Week Updates from the Port Authority Unemployed and quarantined Pittsburghers can receive unemployment money faster, with fewer requirements, Public Source The Parents’ Guide to Google Classroom Map: Coronavirus and School Closures, Education Week Governor Wolf Extends School Closure for Remainder of Academic Year, Governor Wolf Considerations for Schools, CDC Checklist: Planning for Virtual or At-Home Learning, CDC Checklist: Planning for In-Person Classes, CDC How Is the Pandemic Changing Perinatal Health Care?, Georgetown University Impact of COVID-19 on Women in the Labor Force, Annuity.org At-Home Activities The Play at Home Playbook, Playworks Senator John Heinz History Center Online Exhibits, Senator John Heinz History Center 30 Days of Good Things for Young Children (English) (Spanish) Play With Me!, Zero to Three Reading is Fundamental (RIF) Pittsburgh Youtube Channel How to Keep Kids Learning When They’re Stuck at Home, Common Sense Media The Big List of Children’s Authors Doing Online Read-Alouds & Activities, We Are Teachers Free Online Events and Activities for Kids at Home, Common Sense Media The Ultimate Guide for Working from Home with Kids, School Closures Scholastic Learn at Home: Free Resources for School Closures, Scholastic Simple and fun non-screen activities that children can do at home, Medium Over 30 Virtual Field Trips with Links Storyline Online Free, Easy Science for Remote Learning, Mystery Science Audible Is Offering Free Audiobooks for Kids During School Closures, We Are Teachers Our Favorite Virtual P.E. Resources to Keep Kids Moving at Home, We Are Teachers Resources for Kids During Social Distancing Virtual Classes, Allysa Axelband Hassid 161 Science Documentaries You Can Watch Right Now (No Membership Required), PBS SOCAL 121 Tools for Distance Learning & Strategies for Student Engagement, Albert Bringing the Zoo to You, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Simple and fun non-screen activities that children can do at home, Medium Free Distance Learning Plans for K–2 Students and Their Families, Common Sense Media Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems!, The Kennedy Center Keeping Children Active during the Coronavirus Pandemic (English) (Spanish), American College of Sports Medicine Newest Play Ideas, Learning 4 Kids History at Home, Senator John Heinz History Center Healthy at Home (Toolkit), Ready Rosie, The Creative Curriculum, and Teaching Strategies Time to talk, play, and create: Supporting children’s learning at home, Brookings At Home Activity Guide, Zero to Three The Best Kids Yoga Videos, Preschool Inspirations How You and Your Kids Can De-stress During Coronavirus, PBS Learning 4 Kids – Play Ideas, Camille Catllet Tech Balance, Common Sense Media RIF Pittsburgh Youtube, Reading Is FundamentalnPittsburgh Coronavirus: A Book for Children, Nosy Crow Engaging Kids During Stay at Home, Tickets for Kids PNC Grow Up Great, PNC Creative Connections, Trust Arts Education Online Learning: Education During Isolation, Digital Trends Wonderschool Learn-at-Home Ideas, Wonderschool Discover The Fun Of Backyard Geology, Porch Home Learning Support, Twinkl How Coding Provides Skills That Can Help Children Cope With Distress, Columbia Engineering Fact Sheets and Guides What You Need to Know about COVID-19 (English) (Spanish) (Simplified Chinese), CDC Fact Sheet from the Allegheny County Health Department Fact Sheet from the Pennsylvania Department of Health Internet Safety Guide For Seniors, VPN Smash A Parent’s Guide to Discussing Financial Hardship With Your Children, Fiscal Tiger The Complete Guide to Financial Help for Single Moms, Coupon Chief Blog Informational Flyers Stop the Spread of Germs, Allegheny County Department of Health Keeping Your Home, School, and Workplace Safe, CDC Helping Children and Families Cope, NCPMI Recorded Webinars Caring for Each Other, Sesame Street in Communities and Brazelton Touchpoints Center Updates for Families – Learning at Home, PEAL Center Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) while Learning from Home, PEAL Center Helping Parents Manage Stress During COVID-19, National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (NCECHW) Mental Health Toll-Free 24-Hour Emotional Support Help Line (866.342.6892), Optum National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.8255) NAMI National HelpLine Warmline Directory, NAMI Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19, CDC Seven Ways to Cope With Anxiety During the Coronavirus Outbreak, AARP SEL and Mental Health Resources for COVID-19, SEL4US How to Support Children (and Yourself) During the COVID-19 Outbreak, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University Are We There Yet?, Center for Parent Information & Resources Boxed In: COVID-19 and Your Mental Health, Everyday Health How Seniors Can Stay Virtually Connected with Loved Ones, Senior Lifestyle Holidays During the Pandemic, Child Mind Institute Stress and Coping, CDC Tips on Celebrating the Holidays While Social Distancing, My Move Receiving Support Food Assistance Programs Available in Pennsylvania, Trying Together CHIP Will Maintain Enrollment During COVID-19 Crisis, Trying Together How to get help during the coronavirus pandemic in Pittsburgh, The Incline Find a Food Pantry, Partner Agency, or Program Near You, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Apply for Unemployment, Office of Unemployment Compensation Apply for Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, and More, COMPASS Request a Library Card to Access E-Books & More, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Comcast’s Internet Essentials (offering two free months to new customers) PWSA Extends, Expands Shut Off Moratorium in Response to COVID-19, Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority Neighbors Support – COVID-19 Resources, Representative Sara Innamorato Pittsburgh Mutual Aid: Resource Library Many Homeowners Eligible for Temporary Relief From Mortgage Payments, AARP Coronavirus: Response & Resources, The Autism Society of America COVID-19 & Family Resources, Family Centers Network Tech Balance, Common Sense Media Coronavirus & Paid Family Leave, Single Mom Defined Child Care Centers, DHS Allegheny County Family Centers – News, University of Pittsburgh The Social Care Network, Auntbertha Community Delivery Hotline for Allegheny County, Allegheny Delivery Crisis Planning and Counseling for Parents with Shared Custody, Online Counseling Programs Free Microsoft Courseware to Upskill During COVID-19, GreyCampus Guide to Financial Help for Single Parents Raising Kids in 2021, Possible Finance Multilingual Resources Guía de ayuda para padres y cuidadores para ayudar a las familias a enfrentar la enfermedad Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), Child Traumatic Stress Network Translated Materials and Resources (English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Russian, Swahili, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Amharic, Nepali, Haitian Creole, Pashto, Somali, Tigryna), Pennsylvania Department of Health Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19 (English, Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, Korean, French, Vietnamese, Bhasa, Urdu), National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19 (English, Spanish, Chinese), NCTSN A Round-Up of Multilingual Resources on COVID-19, Switchboard AA and NHP In-Language Resources for COVID-19 (Google Sheet) COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions, UPMC CDC Prevention Flyer, RCUSA Additional Resources in Spanish Curated Lists COVID-19 Resource List, Homewood Children’s Village COVID-19 Resource Page, PEAL Center COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information and Resources, NAMI Coping with COVID-19, NAEYC Supporting Families During COVID-19, Child Mind Institute Resources for Families in Pennsylvania on COVID-19, Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children Coronavirus Resources, Center for Parent Information and Resources A support guide for parents raising babies and toddlers through the coronavirus crisis, Quartz COVID-19 Resources, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University Resources for Early Childhood Policymakers on Preventing and Preparing for COVID-19, NIEER Rapid Response Resources: COVID-19, PIE Network Home Together Resources, PA Parent and Family Alliance COVID-19 Resources From Every Hour Counts, Every Hour Counts Online COVID-19 Resources for Kids, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Contacts and Information Commonwealth of Pennsylvania www.pa.gov Pennsylvania Department of Health www.health.pa.gov 1.877.72.432584 | 1.877.PA.HEALTH Allegheny County Health Department www.alleghenycouty.us/ 412.687.2243 Allegheny County Alerts (COVID-19 Alerts) www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts United Way www.pa211sw.org Dial 2.1.1 | Text Your Zip Code to 898-211 (Text Alerts) United States Department of Education www.ed.gov/coronavirus Email: covid-19@ed.gov Optum (Free Emotional Support Helpline) 866.342.6892 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline suicidepreventionlifeline.org 1.800.273.8255 (English) | 1.888.628.9454 (Spanish) | 1.800.799.4889 (Deaf or Hard of Hearing) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline 1.800.985.5990 | Text (English): TalkWithUs to 66746 | Text (Spanish): Hablanos to 66746 More Information For more information about COVID-19, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or World Health Organization (WHO) websites.
November 19, 2020 Join Us In Celebrating #GivingTuesday Join Trying Together, your neighbors, and the global community on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, in celebrating kindness, collaboration, and generosity. Join us in #GivingTogether this #GivingTuesday. What Is GivingTuesday? First established in 2012, GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement that unleashes the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. It’s also an opportunity for people to stand together in unity—to use their individual power of generosity to support and champion the organizations and causes they care about. Why Should You Participate? 2020 has been a difficult year, and it has been especially difficult for our nation’s families. Due to job loss, financial strain, education challenges, and limited access to child care, families have been working tirelessly to make ends meet and support the learning and development of their children. However, they cannot do it alone. That’s why Trying Together’s mission to reinforce the work of early childhood is more important than ever before. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Trying Together has: mobilized our advocates to ensure child care businesses receive the emergency funds they need to stay in business and provide services to families; distributed critical health and safety supplies to early learning programs that serve essential workers and their families; developed an online search tool to assist essential workers and families with quickly finding and choosing early learning programs that meet their needs; created an online community for families to connect, discuss, and support one another in their care and education planning for the 2020-21 school year; and curated comprehensive COVID-19 resource lists online, one of which is for families and caregivers and the other for early care and education professionals. During the COVID-19 pandemic and after, Trying Together will continue to develop our programs, resources, and services to meet the needs of our communities. Will you join us in this work by showing your support on GivingTuesday? What You Can Do We all have gifts to give, and thanks to social media, online giving, mail, and phones, there are limitless ways to use your generosity to reinforce the early childhood field. For examples of how you can give this giving season, see the list below! Submit A Donation If you would like to support Trying Together’s work directly, consider submitting a financial donation! We appreciate donations of any size. However, for those looking for recommended amounts, Trying Together has identified the following tiers: Early Childhood Supporter ($60) Early Childhood Sustainer ($120) Early Childhood Champion ($1,000) Thanks to the generosity of Trying Together’s Board of Directors, all donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to $2,000. Help us secure these matched dollars by donating! Share Your Story When you think of a good teacher, who do you think of? Take time this GivingTuesday to thank that person via social media, phone, or email and let them know how their work has positively impacted your life or the life of your child. SOCIAL MEDIA 1. Join the larger community in celebrating gratitude by posting your thank you message, picture, or video on social media using #GiveThanks or #GivingTogether. Example: I’d like to say thank you to @amymiller for the wonderful work she’s been doing to support my child’s learning and healthy development! Ashton still can’t stop talking about the caterpillar craft he did last month! 🐛🦋 #GiveThanks #GivingTuesday 2. Set a goal for how many educators you’d like to thank this giving season and share it out on social media using #GiveThanks or #GivingTogether! Example: This #GivingTuesday, I’m celebrating gratitude by thanking three early learning professionals who have had a positive impact on my life and child. Will you join me? #GiveThanks 📞💌 #GivingTuesday is on December 1 this year and to celebrate, I’d like to #GiveThanks to the early learning professionals who work tirelessly to make sure my child is safe, supported, and cared for. Your hard work does not go unnoticed. Thank you!CLICK TO TWEET PHONE OR EMAIL If you have their phone number or email, contact your early learning professional and let them know how much you appreciate the work they do to support your family. Share Our Fundraising Page Another great way to support Trying Together is by sharing our fundraising page with your network. To help get you started, we have created a GivingTuesday Social Media Toolkit that features sample social media posts and more! More Information For questions, please contact Trying Together at info@tryingtogether.org.
November 16, 2020 Support Available Through Family Hotline Need assistance in navigating the academic and personal needs of those in your household? Call this Family Hotline offered by the Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative. About In August 2020, A+ Schools, ARYSE, Lawrenceville United, the Latino Community Center, the Boys & Girls Club, and Heinz Fellows launched their new Family Hotline to answer questions and offer support to families as they navigate the academic and personal needs of those in their household. The Hotline is available in 14 languages, including English, Spanish, Uzbek, Swahili, Nepali, Tigrinya, Kinyarwanda, Mandarin, Hindi, Burmese, French, Dari, Portuguese, and Arabic. Calls can be received 24/7. A representative may answer your call, but if not, please leave a voicemail. You will receive a call back within 48 hours on weekdays. Voicemails can be left in any language. Hotline Phone Numbers For calls in any language: 412.256.8536 Para llamadas en Español: 412.335.7446 Share these flyers with your network: English, Español, Uzbek, Swahili, Nepali, Tigrinya, Kinyarwanda, Mandarin, Hindi, Burmese, French, Dari, Portuguese, Arabic.
2020 SOC Symposium | Father Family Involvement Are you interested in learning how Pennsylvania can build better futures for children through greater father family involvement? Join the National Association of Social Workers on December 1, 8, and 15 for the 2020 SOC Symposium. This event is virtual. About Tuesday, December 1, 2020 Includes a brief presentation of Pennsylvania’s Journey to ensure child wellbeing, safety, and permanency for every child within the Commonwealth, as well as personal interviews with two Distinguished Pennsylvania System Change Leaders for Greater Father Family Involvement: “From Whence They Come.” Tuesday, December 8, 2020 Addresses the consequences of Father Absence and or Father Non-Involvement, and the need to move forward, a diverse group of expert panelists will help participants to unravel the question, “Are Fathers intentionally included, or not, in Pennsylvania’s child and family services and programming that are designed to enhance well-being outcomes for both?” Tuesday, December 15, 2020 A Call to Action, as the Symposium comes to a close, with Media Q&A. Drs. Myers, Goode, Horn will emphasize why this mission is so crucial and will illuminate the strategy for moving Pennsylvania forward now! Registration To register for the Symposium, visit the event webpage. Online registration will be available until December 1, 2020. CEU credits available. More Information For registration questions, please contact Asagen.naswpa@socialworkers.org. Share this flyer with your network.
November 12, 2020 Educators: Join the Leap into Science National Network Are you an educator in Pennsylvania who is interested in receiving training and materials to lead science and literacy workshops for children and families? Join the Leap into Science National Network! Applications must be submitted by December 14, 2020. About Leap into Science is a nationwide program developed by The Franklin Institute Science Museum that integrates open-ended science activities with children’s books, designed for children ages three through 10-years-old and their families. The program empowers educators to offer workshops in community settings like libraries, museums, and out-of-school time programs to engage underserved audiences in accessible and familiar settings. Leap into Science provides workshops on a science theme for three possible audiences: early childhood, elementary, and/or family groups. If your organization was already trained in the Leap into Science Wind curricula, you are NOT eligible to attend this training. Organization Benefits Each organization that participates in Leap into Science will receive: a two-hour virtual training on high-quality science and literacy curriculum and facilitation strategies for two or more educators; ongoing support during program implementation as part of a Leap into Science National Network; access to the national Leap into Science leadership team and online resources; and a curriculum and materials kit (valued at $300). Participation Commitments As a Leap into Science partner organization, participants commit to: scheduling and leading at least three Leap into Science workshops for children and/or families living in underserved rural or urban communities by September 2021, including an event during National Leap into Science Week (June 7 – 13, 2021); posting each workshop to The Connectory, a searchable directory for STEM programs across the country; completing a workshop report following each workshop; and participating in quarterly calls with other trained educators in your state. Available Workshops The Pennsylvania Leap into Science Team is hosting a free two-hour virtual training on the Leap into Science Light & Shadow workshops at the following times: Friday, January 29, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 13, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Submit An Application To participate in the national network and attend one of the trainings listed above, please complete this brief application form by December 14, 2020. Priority will be given to organizations that can send at least two educators to the training and who serve traditionally underrepresented audiences. If selected, you will receive an email notification of your acceptance by the end of December with details about the training you will attend. More Information For questions, contact Betsy O. Saatman at betsaa@pakeys.org or 484.955.5909.
Make the Most of Learning at Home With PBS KIDS Are you interested in learning how to develop a learning routine for your family and increase your child’s motivation to learn? Join PBS Kids on November 18 for their online event, “Make the Most of Learning at Home With PBS KIDS.” About With children across the country learning at home, parents and caregivers are facing new challenges. PBS KIDS invites parents and caregivers of children ages five to eight to come together for a discussion with educators, a child psychologist, and fellow parents. Get ideas on how to use PBS KIDS resources to encourage everyday playful learning. Presenters will answer questions and share tips on how you can maintain a strong connection with your child’s school, help your child stay motivated to learn, and develop a learning routine for your family. Registration To register for this event, visit the PBS Kids website.
October 30, 2020 Strategies to Support DLLs and Their Families Are you interested in learning strategies to support dual language learners (DLLs) and their families? Join presenters Lea Ann Christenson, Ph.D., and Nadia J. Jones, Ed.D., on November 10 for “Strength in Diversity: Practical Theory and Strategies to Support DLLs and Their Families.” About This webinar will cover practical theory, easy-to-use advice, and strategies to support dual language learners and their families. In addition, participants will learn how to cultivate empathy, perspective, and high expectations for all children. The content of this webinar can also benefit English-only (EO) young children and their families. Time for questions will be provided. Featured Topics Participants will walk away with the conceptual understanding of the content which they can put to use in their classrooms, schools, and centers immediately. Educators will learn: demographics of young DLLs in classrooms today, the basics of second-language acquisition theory, effective teaching strategies and principles of instruction, how and why honoring the home language supports English acquisition, and tips for engaging the families of DLLs. Registration This webinar is best suited for anyone in the early childhood field, including teachers, instructional aides, administrators, and district office personnel. To register, visit the EdWeb website.
October 23, 2020 2020 Family Support Needs Assessment On October 22, the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) released a new Family Support Needs Assessment that covers the needs and challenges experienced by families with young children and opportunities to address these needs and better serve families. Overview Developed in partnership with PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the assessment found that substance abuse, intimate partner violence, and mental health challenges are among the most pronounced issues facing young families across urban and rural communities. The assessment also shows an overall improvement in maternal and child health outcomes across many of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties since the last statewide needs assessment in 2014. Assessment Findings Informed by community surveys, interviews, and statewide data sets, the 2018-2020 Family Support Needs Assessment categorizes Pennsylvania’s counties as having “elevated need,” “moderate need,” and “low need,” across six domains: maternal and child health; socioeconomic status; substance abuse; child safety and maltreatment; community environment; and child care. Overall, the findings show that 44 counties have elevated need in at least one of the domains and 15 counties across the state met elevated need thresholds in three or more domains. Importantly, the data collection occurred prior to the arrival of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, and the researchers anticipate that the pandemic will exacerbate many areas of community need. Despite the elevated need recorded in the report, maternal and child health outcomes have dramatically improved across much of the state since the 2014 federally-mandated statewide needs assessment. For example: nearly every county (63) saw improved rates of preterm birth and teen birth; 60 percent of counties saw improvements in infant mortality rates; half of the counties saw a reduction in the percentage of children under age five living in poverty; and more than half of the 2,220 individuals surveyed for the needs assessment have a favorable view of the availability and quality of health and social services in Pennsylvania for families with young children. The assessment also includes a review of the capacity and scope of the state’s home visiting programs, which provide voluntary, in-home services to under-resourced pregnant moms and families of young children. Pennsylvania significantly increased its investment in evidence-based home visiting over the last four years so that today, six evidence-based home visiting models serve a total of 10,150 families. More Information For more information, read the full press release and review the 2020 Family Supports Need Assessment Report.
