July 2, 2020 Online Fire Safety Training Now Available for Child Care Centers Attention child care providers! Does your program need to complete fire safety training? The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is temporarily accepting an online fire safety training that meets required fire safety regulations! About In their recent announcement, OCDEL stated that child care center providers and staff will be able to temporarily complete their annual fire safety training online during the COVID-19 pandemic. As programs reopen, providers should start arranging for all staff to complete annual fire safety training if their current training certification is about to expire or has expired. While OCDEL maintains that face-to-face training for fire safety is most appropriate, they state that if in-person training is unavailable, they will temporarily accept the following approved fire safety online training offered on the PD Registry: Department of Human Services (DHS) Fire Safety Training Event ID: 315542 | Cost: Free | PQAS Approved | Register via PA PD Registry This training course will be deemed acceptable up until 30 days after the Disaster Proclamation is lifted or such other time as the Department directs. Registration Reach out to your local fire chief for other fire safety specialist first to see if they are offering any face-to-face fire safety trainings that are conducive to social distancing practices. If face-to-face training is unavailable, have staff register for and complete the online Department of Human Services Fire Safety Training. To register, search for “DHS Fire Safety Training” or the Event ID included above on the Pennsylvania PD Registry. More Information For more information, see the Announcement C-20-07, Fire Safety Training for Child Care Centers may be obtained online during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
October 4, 2019 Changes to Fire Safety Inspections & Standards for Child Care Facilities Following the fire at a child care facility that claimed the lives of five children, Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller announced efforts to enhance fire safety at all Pennsylvania child care facilities and strengthen DHS’s regulatory authority and further protect children. Updated Standards Effective Sept. 16, 2019, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) requires its licensing staff to include fire safety checks in every initial inspection, renewal inspection, unannounced inspection, and complaint inspection. Licensing staff will require each facility operator to demonstrate an operable fire detection and prevention system, which includes the presence of operable smoke detectors on each floor of the facility and fire extinguishers in the kitchen or other cooking areas at minimum. If an operator is unable to demonstrate such a system, DHS licensing staff will complete a complaint and deliver it to the Department of Labor & Industry or local officials. These officials have the authority to act against the facility. DHS also recommends that licensed child care facilities work with their local fire safety officials to meet compliance with fire safety codes. DHS will also cite the provider for a health and safety violation. These changes will also be codified in DHS’ child care regulations moving forward. In September, DHS conducted a fire safety initiative call campaign to collect information from family child care providers and alert them to the department’s fire prevention efforts. This campaign surveyed family child care providers about their fire prevention systems and emergency plans, including evacuation plans for children in overnight care. DHS will use the information gathered to inform ongoing efforts to enhance fire safety at Pennsylvania child care facilities. More Information For more information, read the full PA Key newsletter. To learn more about child care in Pennsylvania and view inspection history for licensed providers, visit the COMPASS website. *Information provided via The Pennsylvania Key
April 8, 2019 Fred Rogers: Be My Neighbor Day Are you interested in volunteering small acts of kindness towards your neighbors this April? Children and families are invited to join Fred Rogers Productions on Saturday, April 13th for a day filled with fun family volunteer activities that aid neighbors in need, including: Washing fire trucks, Cleaning a park or playground, Making greeting cards, Play games with seniors, and Helping out at a library! Volunteering stations range in location, time slot, and task, please visit their volunteer information page for more details and registration links. Learn More To learn more about this opportunity, visit the event website! For questions, contact event staff at education@wqed.org. Share this flyer with your network.
April 5, 2019 Jeremiah’s Place: Block Party & Resource Fair Join Jeremiah’s Place on June 22 for a fun-filled day of festivities at their Block Party and Resource Fair. Activities This year’s event will include: Resource tables, Storymobile, Fire truck tour, Face painting, Arts and crafts, Free picnic and carnival food, Free wellness sessions, Raffle prizes, and much more! This event is FREE and open to the public, rain or shine! Share this flyer with your networks.
