September 24, 2020 KidSMART Club At Home Program Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Citiparks will offer its KidSMART Club as an at-home program for children in grades three, four, and five. An option for pre-kindergarten children is also available. About KidSMART Club is an afterschool program developed by Citiparks for children in grades three, four, and five. A pre-k option is also available and is best suited for children ages three to five years old. The program features a series of activities that explore science, math, art, reading, technology, and more! This year, the Club will be offered as an at-home program for 11 weeks with each week offering a new theme of learning. Themes and Dates Club members who complete six weeks or more of STEM/STEAM projects will be eligible for a chance to win cool prizes! View the full list of upcoming sessions below. Week 1: Art Explosion, Multimedia Art Studio October 5 – 9, 2020 Week 2: Wide World of Sports October 12 – 16, 2020 Week 3: Urban Adventures October 19 – 23, 2020 Week 4: DIY Maker Lab, “I Made It With Citiparks” October 26 – 30, 2020 Week 5: Comic Central November 2 – 6, 2020 Week 6: X-Treme Science November 9 – 13, 2020 Week 7: Create With The Masters November 16 – 20, 2020 Week 8: Junior Chef – Holiday Kit November 23 – 27, 2020 Week 9: Space Station Pittsburgh November 30 – December 4, 2020 Week 10: Holidays Around The World December 7 – 11, 2020 Week 11: KidSMART – Holiday Kit December 14 – 18, 2020 Registration Registration is required to participate. When registering, you must select a pickup location for your weekly at-home kits. Kit pickup will occur every Monday (beginning October 5) from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at one of the following Citipark Recreation Center locations: Ammon Community Recreation Center Henry Kaufmann Neighborhood House (Arlington) Brookline Recreation Center Jefferson Recreation Center Magee Recreation Center Paulson Recreation Center Phillips Recreation Center Warrington Recreation Center To register, complete the KidSMART Club Registration Form. This registration reserves your kit for an 11-week period through the end of 2020. Space is limited. More Information For more information, visit the KidSMART Club webpage. Share this flyer with your network.
Jeremiah’s Place: Provider Engagement Session Are you interested in learning about Jeremiah’s Place and its services? Join them on October 7 and November 5 for their online “Provider Engagement Sessions.” About Jeremiah’s Place protects children and strengthens families by providing a safe haven of respite, health, renewal, and support for children when their families are experiencing a critical need for child care. These online sessions will explore: what Jeremiah’s Place is and what services they provide; why families might need to access services at Jeremiah’s Place; how providers can make a successful referral; and the Jeremiah’s Place intake process. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage. Registration for the November 5 session will be provided in the coming weeks. For questions, please email Renee Schmitzer at empower@jeremiahsplace.org. Share this flyer with your network.
Jeremiah’s Place: Provider Engagement Session Are you an early learning provider who is interested in learning about Jeremiah’s Place and its services? Join Jeremiah’s Place on November 5 for their online “Provider Engagement Session.” About Jeremiah’s Place protects children and strengthens families by providing a safe haven of respite, health, renewal, and support for children when their families are experiencing a critical need for child care. These online sessions will explore: what Jeremiah’s Place is and what services they provide; why families might need to access services at Jeremiah’s Place; how providers can make a successful referral; and the Jeremiah’s Place intake process. Registration This event is intended for child care providers. To register, visit the event webpage. For questions, please email Renee Schmitzer at empower@jeremiahsplace.org. Share this flyer with your network.
September 17, 2020 Allegheny County Infant/Toddler Early Intervention Plan In September 2020, the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Office of Behavioral Health released a plan and guidance on in-person Early Intervention (EI) services for infants and toddlers in the county. These documents were developed to inform EI program providers and participants of the strategies that will be implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as in-person services resume. About Because in-person Early Intervention services are provided in people’s homes and communities, the successful implementation of in-person services relies heavily on the team effort or EI professionals and participating families to follow the health and safety guidelines detailed in the Allegheny County Infant/Toddler Early Intervention Health and Safety Plan for Resuming In-Person Services. Program staff will work with families to offer quality Early Intervention services in the safest manner feasible. In addition to this plan, Allegheny County EI Providers and the EI SC Entity are expected to follow the Allegheny County Guidance for Conducting In-Person Infant/Toddler Early Intervention Services which outlines how and when EI in-person service provision will be carried out in Allegheny County during the Red, Yellow, and Green phases of reopening in Pennsylvania. These plans and guidelines were informed by existing best practice guidance from numerous sources, including the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Office of Governor Tom Wolf, and local Allegheny County government officials. Featured Topics The Allegheny County Infant/Toddler Early Intervention Health and Safety Plan for Resuming In-Person Services features information on numerous topics, including the following: required training and education; health screenings and responses; conducting in-person visits; and EI Intervention Therapist and Provider caseload and staffing reviews. More Information For more information, read the full plan and guidance. Early Intervention providers are encouraged to share this document and its content on their websites and social media platforms.
Recess Helps Students Reach Their Full Potential As we begin a very different school year, the Recess Advocacy Team continues to elevate play and provide support to educators and families. Recess is key to helping students reach their full potential within the classroom and beyond. Several studies show that recess increases children’s attention span and productivity in the classroom. New Resources from the Recess Advocacy Team Send a letter to your child’s teacher The Recess Advocacy Team updated their student letter asking teachers to remember the importance of play to reflect our current times. Instructions: (1) Download the letter (2) Enter information for the teacher, your child’s name, and your name in the editable boxes (3) Save the letter with your information (4) Send the electronically signed letter via email If your child is attending school in person, you can still download, print, and share a hard copy. Play and Physical Activity Resource Guide for Educators and Families The Recess Advocacy Team compiled a list of resources for educators and families to make sure play and physical activity are a part of childrens’ days and serve as a foundation for their learning, growth, and development. This list includes resources, activities, and considerations for ensuring play shows up in our daily lives—and ways that educators and families can incorporate play/physical activity into children’s learning. Families are encouraged to share this resource when sending the letter to the teacher. Learn More About the Recess Advocacy Team The Recess Advocacy Team is a group of organizations dedicated to health, wellness, education, and play with a focus on recess practices and policies in pre-k through sixth grade. You can learn more about the Recess Advocacy Team on the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative website.
September 14, 2020 Hello Baby: A New Website for Parents in Allegheny County For many new parents, particularly those with limited resources and support, welcoming a child to the family can be both a joy and a challenge. That’s why the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) created Hello Baby, a voluntary program for any Allegheny County family with a newborn or young child. What is Hello Baby? Hello Baby is a voluntary program for parents of new babies that is designed to strengthen families; improve children’s outcomes; and maximize child and family well-being, safety, and security. Every new mother in Allegheny County will receive information about Hello Baby and may receive an initial visit from a nurse to talk about the program in more detail. Information will be available at primary birthing hospitals, obstetrician/gynecologist offices, and pediatric practices, and will be mailed to new mothers as a postcard. Hello Baby will reach families with moderate to high levels of need through the existing network of Family Centers. However, any family can request services from a Family Center through the Hello Baby website, 2.1.1 warmline, or texting service. All services are voluntary. Featured Information The Hello Baby website was created for parents to quickly and easily find local resources and information on the following topics: Health and Safety (immunizations, safe sleep, car safety, etc.); Child Care and Development (home visiting, head start, emergency child care, etc.); Family Supports (Family Centers, programs for dads, immigrant services, etc.); and Essentials (food and formula, baby items, housing supports, etc.). To learn more and view the full range of services, visit the Hello Baby website. More Information Hello Baby is a collaborative effort among family-focused organizations in Allegheny County including Allegheny County DHS, Health Department, Healthy Start, Family Centers, NurturePA, and the United Way of Southwestern PA. For more information, visit the DHS website or view answers to frequently asked questions.
September 11, 2020 Building Resilience While Social Distancing: Parental Depression & Coping Join Brazelton Touchpoints Center on October 26 for “Building Resilience While Social Distancing: Parental Depression & Coping” to learn coping skills you can share with parents to address the effects of isolation in the short and long terms. About This webinar will explore the similarities between isolation and depression, paying close attention to the distinct needs and behaviors of parents suffering from depression and anxiety. Participants will learn coping skills they can share with parents to address the effects of isolation in the short and long terms. Participants will also learn when to consult with mental health professionals in their work with families. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event registration page. Space is limited.
SEL & Mental Health in Distance Learning Are you interested in learning how to implement social-emotional and mental health supports for your students and staff? Attend the webinar “SEL & Mental Health in Distance Learning: District Leaders Share Best Practices” on September 15 to hear best practices from education leaders. About In this webinar, presenters will share: how to connect and build trust with students, laying the groundwork for engagement and learning; best practices for supporting students in special education in distance learning; how to ensure staff feels safe and supported; how to implement SEL that supports anti-racism and equity in distance learning; and how to implement digital tools in an MTSS for efficacy and sustainability. School and district administrators will learn concrete steps they can take to deliver effective, trauma-informed SEL and mental health supports to students and staff as schools and communities continue to grapple with the challenges of COVID-19. This recorded webinar will be of interest to school and district leaders of pre-k through high school grade levels, federal program coordinators, and those involved in student mental health. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.
September 2, 2020 Helping Parents & Caregivers Navigate a School Year Like No Other Are you interested in hearing from the country’s leading experts about topics such as social-emotional wellness, mental health, learning resources, tech safety, and more? Join Remake Learning and other presenting organizations for the “So Now What?” virtual series! About The series will bring the country’s leading experts in education and childhood development, including PBS Kids, Common Sense Media, Learning Heroes, and UPMC Children’s Hospital, together with parents and caregivers to share and learn from one another. Presenters will cover a range of topics specific to this moment in time, including: social-emotional wellness, mental health, learning resources, communication, tech safety, and much more. Available Sessions The series includes the following sessions: COVID-19 and Kids Health: An Evidence-Based Practical Guide & FAQ Wednesday, September 2 from 7 – 7:30 p.m. Supporting Young Children’s Social and Emotional Wellness as We Return to School Wednesday, September 9 from 7 – 7:30 p.m. Tweens, Teens, and Mental Health Wednesday, September 9 from 8 – 8:30 p.m. Ready to Partner: 5 Steps for a Different Kind of School Year for Families and Schools Wednesday, September 16 from 7 – 7:30 p.m. How to be Safe Online and Balance Tech Usage in a World of Virtual Learning Wednesday, September 23 from 7 – 7:30 p.m. Learning Resources for Families Wednesday, September 30 from 7 – 7:30 p.m. Registration To register, complete the online registration form. Share this flyer with your network.
COVID-19’s Impact on Early Childhood and ACEs Are you interested in hearing guidance from experts on early childhood development, adverse childhood experiences, and the impact of COVID-19 on children? Join the NIHCM Foundation on September 10 for their webinar, “Protecting Our Children: COVID-19’s Impact on Early Childhood and ACEs.” About Although most children are not at high risk for contracting COVID-19, the pandemic has disrupted their lives and exacerbated challenges to children’s health and well-being. This webinar will convene experts to provide information and guidance on early childhood development, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and the impact of COVID-19 on children. Speakers will discuss the following topics: the importance of early childhood experiences in lifelong health and how adversity affects both the developing brain and other physiological systems; what ACEs initiatives are doing to respond to COVID-19 and the opportunities and challenges the pandemic has produced for professionals in the field; and lessons from a health plan’s investment in programming that addresses ACEs, including education on ACEs for teachers, policymakers, and health care professionals. Registration To learn more and register, visit the event webpage.
