April 3, 2019 PAsmart Announces Grant Awardees In February 2019, Governor Tom Wolf announced funding for PAsmart Apprenticeship and Next Generation Industry Partnerships grants which will connect Pennsylvanians with the information needed to succeed in our evolving economy. About PAsmart PAsmart is focused on ensuring Pennsylvania students and workers have the skills and abilities to meet the economic needs of the 21st century. This initiative aims to do this by expanding access to STEM education in Pennsylvania schools, embracing the Next Generation Industry Partnership model, and creating the Apprenticeship and Training Office to increase apprenticeship opportunities within a variety of industries. OCDEL’s Role The Office of Child Development and Early Learning supports the efforts of PA’s Department of Labor and Industry and is working with them to professionalize the early education field. Efforts include increasing access to a career pathway that results in stackable, portable credentials, and providing relevant, developmentally and culturally appropriate content to support educators working with young children to advance their individual career and education progression. Organization Grantees The following organizations will be supported through PAsmart funds: 1100c Training and Upgrading Fund: Will expand their apprenticeship model in Southeastern Pennsylvania Partner4Work: Will establish a regional hub for Early Childhood Education registered apprenticeships in the Pittsburgh Metro Area Keystone University: Will partner with Lackawanna Trail High School, Luzerne County Community College, and Wilkes University to build an Early Childhood Education (ECE) pipeline through a competency-based apprenticeship that leads to an entry-level ECE credential Shippensburg University: Will design curriculum and develop advanced competencies to expand the Philadelphia ECE apprenticeship to four-year programs Arcadia University: Will expand their RA program for ECE First Up and its partners: Will expand upon apprenticeship supports and program to provide career paths in ECE Learn More For more information, visit pasmart.gov. * Information provided by OCDEL’s PA Early Ed Newsletter
November 14, 2018 Give Big Pittsburgh 2018 Join us in #GivingTogether during Give Big Pittsburgh on November 27, 2018. What is Give Big Pittsburgh? Tied with #GivingTuesday, a nationally recognized annual day of giving, Give Big Pittsburgh is a local platform that works to raise awareness, collect donations, and build stronger ties between members of our community. To participate in this #DayofGiving, community members are invited to explore and collaborate in raising funds for nonprofits that are doing great work in Pittsburgh. Visit our GiveGab page to get acquainted with the fundraising platform. Opportunities to Give Although Give Big Pittsburgh emphasizes raising funds, there are multiple ways to participate in #GivingTuesday: Donate to Nonprofits Share Your Story Share Nonprofit Donation Pages Learn More For more information on how you can participate, read our news post.