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
On April 27, 2019, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto announced that a new program will offer free monthly books to Pittsburgh children from birth to age five. The program is currently accepting applications from parents and guardians.
About the Program
The free book program – in conjunction with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Benter Foundation, and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania – will mail all eligible children an age-appropriate book every month up until their fifth birthday. Participating children will receive their first book through the U.S. Postal Services six to eight weeks after the registration form has been received.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, preschoolers must:
be a resident of the City of Pittsburgh,
have a parent or guardian fill out an official registration form, and
notify the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania of any address changes.
In response to the violent events happening in communities throughout the United States of America, Trying Together hopes to support young children, their families, and the caregivers who interact with them by recognizing available community-based and online resources.
Trying Together extends our heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of those lost and to those injured or traumatized by such horrific events. Thank you to all of the public health and safety professionals who respond and provide service to affected communities across America, and thank you to the organizations and individuals that extend your hands and services in support.
Pittsburgh Public Schools welcomes fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and positive male role models to participate in the nationally recognized Take a Father to School Day.
In support of the District’s long-term outcome of increased proficiency in literacy for all students, this year’s theme is #ExpectGreatThings. Every school will have an activity or event planned to celebrate the day.
Ask your school for details!
Questions
For questions, contact Larry Meadows at 412.529.3851.
Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Education Programs Male/Fatherhood Involvement Committee Presents the 11th annual March DaDness event.
March DaDness is a one-day basketball tournament for fathers/significant males and their families designed to instill teamwork. Players must be 18 years or older to participate. There will be food and fun for the entire family!
Registration is required. If your child attends Pittsburgh Westinghouse High School, please sign up in their classroom by Monday, March 11th. Contact Felicia Bonner at 412.529.2625 with questions.
Winter means keeping kids warm, but did you know that babies and young children should NOT wear puffy coats or snowsuits when in their car seat?
What Happens?
As demonstrated by the video below, coats or snowsuits can compress under the harness of a car seat, sometimes up to four inches. When this happens, the compression can cause the straps of your child’s car seat to not fit properly, creating a dangerous situation. This situation can also happen with sleeping bags for babies, creating an unsafe ride for your baby.
Recommendations
If you’re looking for ways to keep your baby or young child warm while in a car seat, consider incorporating the following recommendations:
Dress your baby or young child in snug layers, like onesies and leggings. Add long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, shoes, and socks. You can even include a jacket.
For babies, use covers specifically for car seats that are designed to give warmth. These covers should be approved by the car-seat manufacturer for your specific car seat.
For older babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners, after securing them in the car seat, turn their coat around and put it on backward (arms through the armholes) so the coat is on top of the harness, or use a blanket in the car.
Community Health Advocate Training Program for Fathers
The Community Health Advocate Training Program is a three-week training, one Saturday per week, that will prepare you to make lasting change in the health of families and communities! Take this opportunity to learn more about advocacy and community engagement, gain skills in self-care to help you be at your best to care for your family, and learn how to use your own experiences to make changes in your community.
You will receive:
25 hours of paid training
Free meals and child care during the training
A netbook – yours to keep after the training
This program runs from November 3 – November 17. Space is limited. For more information, contact Shannon Lawhorn at (412) 723-1342.
Are you a single father or caregiver? Would you like to build positive memories with your child and learn healthy ways to cope with barriers and stress? Join us for adult group discussion and parent-child interaction activities such as:
arts and crafts
coding
learning through play
reading
STEM
This event is currently being held virtually via Zoom from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Fridays.
