June 21, 2023 Application Period for Early Intervention Leadership Development Program Now Open Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania is now accepting applications for their 2023-2024 Competence and Confidence Partners in Policymaking Early Intervention (C2P2 EI) Cohort. All applicants must submit their applications by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 11, though the program will begin at the end of September 2023 and run through May 2024. About C2Pc EI C2P2 EI is a free leadership development opportunity for families of children who are currently receiving early intervention infant, toddler, or preschool services. It supports successful applicants in attending four, two-day, in-person sessions, and four virtual sessions (eight sessions total) which give them knowledge and skills to advocate for EI. Throughout the sessions, participants will: learn about the infant/toddler and preschool early intervention system. connect with other families. build skills to advocate for their family and others. Consequently, applicants must commit to participating in all eight sessions. The in-person sessions will be held at the DoubleTree Conference Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. However, expenses, including lodging costs, mileage, and childcare reimbursement, will be provided to participants. Eligibility Eligible applicants must: have a child between birth to age five who is currently receiving Pennsylvania infant/toddler or preschool EI services. have a desire to explicitly advocate for themselves and others. commit to participation in all eight sessions. Apply Interested individuals should apply using the online C2P2 EI 2023-2024 Application Form. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 11. Accordingly, Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania will notify applicants of their acceptance by September 1. Learn More This program is funded by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Bureau of Early Intervention and Family Supports, with support from Temple Institute on Disabilities. To learn more, view the flyer or visit the Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children website. Please direct any questions to Sarah Holland at sholland@parenttoparent.org.
December 1, 2020 Fishing for a Positive Work Environment Are you interested in learning how to create a positive work environment? Join Trying Together on Wednesday, December 16 for our online course, “FISH philosophy: Fishing for a positive work environment!” About During this course, Leadership Development Strategist Allison Robinson will discuss the four principles of the FISH philosophy and assist participants in considering how each principle can become daily practice. These four concepts will help participants create and maintain a working environment that is energizing, fun, and that allows each member of the team to feel important. Session Details Session Date: Wednesday, December 16 | 1 – 3 p.m. Instructor: Allison Robinson CKC: Professional and Leadership CDA Subject Area: Maintaining Professionalism Registration Deadline: Monday, December 14, 2020 Registration To register, visit the PD Registry page. Space is limited. Participants will receive the course Zoom link via email within 24 hours before the start date for the course. PQAS credit is available. If you do not have a PD Registry account, please complete this online form to create one. If you are unable to create an account, please contact pdregistry@pakeys.org for more information. More Information For questions or more information, please contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org.
June 10, 2020 Fostering Fathers’ Leadership Skills Are you interested in learning how to build a father-friendly program? Join the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (NCECHW) on June 16 for their webinar, “Fostering Fathers’ Leadership Skills.” About In this webinar, participants will explore tools, resources, and ideas they can use to build a father-friendly program. Register to learn how to create an environment that actively encourages fathers to engage with their child’s learning and development. Participants will also review examples of program efforts that help fathers continue to build their voices as leaders in early childhood programs and their communities. This webinar is best suited for Head Start and Early Head Start directors, managers, family services staff, and parent leaders; T/TA providers; and early childhood leaders who support children and their families. Participants will receive a certificate of participation upon completion of the webinar. Featured Topics Topics for the webinar include: exploring the importance of developing a program environment that promotes fathers’ leadership; preparing staff to successfully integrate father engagement into their programs; and sharing tips from programs that engage fathers as leaders and advocates in their work. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage. More Information For questions, contact NCECHW at pfcewebinars@ecetta.info or 855.208.0909. Photo Credit Photography by Emily O’Donnell.
January 31, 2020 ECE Advocacy Fellows Complete First Month of Program Convening for the first time at Trying Together’s main office, 2020 ECE Advocacy Fellows completed their first month of the Fellowship program this January. About In January 2020, Trying Together launched its second Early Childhood Education (ECE) Advocacy Fellowship. Now through September, Fellows will meet once per month to gain public policy knowledge, build on their leadership skills, and develop their voices as early childhood advocates. In January, Fellows met for their first workshop session where they learned about Early Learning PA (ELPA) campaigns, including Start Strong PA, Pre-K for PA, and Childhood Begins at Home, and heard from past Fellows about how to make the most out of their Fellowship experience. If you’re interested in advocacy, visit our Take Action page! More Information If you’re interested in learning more about the Fellowship, visit our webpage, sign-up to receive our newsletters, and follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Updates will be shared as information becomes available.
October 10, 2019 Councils Councils play a significant role in Trying Together’s efforts to advocate for high-quality early learning environments. By utilizing their perspectives and, in some cases, professional expertise, Council members help Trying Together approach early learning policy challenges and engage policymakers in thoughtful ways that affect positive change. Use your voice for young children, families, and your community by joining our Council today! Grandparent Council The Grandparent Council helps to ensure that all young children receive high-quality care and education. Members meet monthly through virtual Zoom meetings to: learn more about the importance of an early childhood education; receive guidance and support in identifying high-quality early learning environments; and learn how to advocate for the well-being of all children in our communities. Join the Council To join Trying Together’s Grandparent Council, please complete and submit the online sign-up form. If you are unable to complete the online form, mail and email options are available as well. Submit The Form Via Mail If you would like to submit the form via mail, please print, fill-out, and mail this form (PDF) to: ATTN: Grandparent Council 5604 Solway Street Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Submit The Form Via Email If you would like to submit the form via email, please print, scan, and email this form (PDF) to info@tryingtogether.org. More Information For questions, contact Public Policy Regional Coordinator Lindsey Ramsey at 412.567.4173 or lindsey@tryingtogether.org.
July 23, 2019 Free Leadership Training for Families Receiving EI Services Are you a parent, caregiver, or family member of a young child who receives Early Intervention services in Pennsylvania? Join the Temple University College of Education for Competence and Confidence: Partners in Policymaking Early Intervention (C2P2 EI 2019-20). About C2P2 EI 2019-20 provides free leadership development training for families of children who receive Infant-Toddler Early Intervention or Preschool Early Intervention Services. The training will provide participants with up-to-date information, leadership development training, resources, and skills. Participants learn about the local, state, and national issues that affect children with disabilities. Eligibility To be eligible, applicants should be Pennsylvania family members who: Have a child—infant or school-age—that receives Early Intervention services, Desire to advocate for themselves and others by building leadership skills, and Are willing to commit to all four 2-day trainings. Training Information Training Dates Trainings will be held on Fridays from 1 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. October 11-12, 2019 December 6-7, 2019 March 6-7, 2020 April 3-4, 2020 Location The Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel 4650 Lindle Road Harrisburg, PA 17111 (717) 564.5511 Covered Costs Meals included Travel and child care expense reimbursements Overnight lodging (for those traveling 40+ miles) Application To apply and for more information, visit the event website. The application deadline is September 20, 2019. Questions For questions, contact Cathy Roccia-Meier at 215.204.1772 (voice), 215.204.1805 (TeleTypewriter/TTY), or cathyRM@temple.edu.
May 7, 2019 Parents Moving Forward Together | Conference Join the Allegheny Family Network for “Parents Moving Forward Together,” a one-day mental health conference focused on supporting our region’s children, caregivers, and educators. Workshops Legislative Panel with Rep. Dan Miller Building Leadership Qualities Connecting Trauma Through Stories Dissecting the IEP Teens: Intense Emotions and Suicidality Registration This event is free, but registration is required for lunch and child care. To register, call 412.246.2030. See the event’s Facebook page. Transportation Buses are available for specific areas. See the bus schedule here. Parking will be available onsite for $5. Free parking is available for Allegheny Family Network families. Share this flyer with your network.
February 11, 2019 NAEYC Offering Scholarships for Emerging Leaders NAEYC will offer six scholarships to individuals who can demonstrate their potential as emerging leaders in early childhood education. 2019 NAEYC Professional Learning Institute June 2-5 Long Beach, CA This competitive application process is open to current NAEYC members. Those awarded will receive complimentary registration, hotel accommodations, and a travel stipend (travel provided only within the United States) for the 2019 Professional Learning Institute. Previous scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply. The deadline for submitting an application is March 15, 2019. To learn more and apply, visit the NAEYC website.
November 12, 2018 Annual PENN SACCA Conference Join the Pennsylvania School-Age Child Care Alliance (PENN SACCA) on November 9 for their 22nd Annual Statewide Conference! This year’s theme: Afterschool time is STEM time! About Featuring keynote speaker Jeff Remington, this year’s theme will explore all things STEM in afterschool. As one of ten National STEM Teacher Ambassadors, an international STEM advocate, trainer, and consultant, Jeff has a unique perspective of how the daily practice of STEM impacts the big picture of educational systems tied to a global 21st Century economy. This year’s conference will be held at Toftrees Golf Resort in State College, PA. Click here to make reservations. Participants will receive PQAS hours, but must provide their Registry ID number upon registration. For Act 48 credits, participants must submit their PPID number, complete necessary paperwork, and pay a $10 fee. National and State Experts Will Discuss: STEM in afterschool STEM career readiness 21st-century skills Makerspaces Implementing STEM Registration To register for the conference, visit the event webpage. Group discounts are available for organizations registering four or more participants. To receive the group discount, all group attendees must be a PENN SACCA Comprehensive Member. Learn More For more information, visit the event webpage or contact
PSAYDN Annual Partners’ Retreat Focusing on policy development, coordination of quality initiatives, and sustainability, the PSAYDN Annual Partners’ Retreat provides professional development opportunities for OST professionals, school administrators, teachers, nonprofits, policymakers, and more. Register here to attend. PSAYDN Retreat and PENN SACCA Conference For the first time, the PSAYDN Retreat and PENN SACCA Conference will run consecutively to provide additional opportunities for OST advocates and professionals to receive professional development and participate in networking activities. National and State Experts Will Discuss: STEM and Advocacy Career Pathways Social-Emotional Learning Behavioral Development Substance Abuse Prevention Sustainability and Partnerships Leadership Development Act 48 credits available.
