January 20, 2025 OCDEL: There’s Still Time to Complete Early Childhood Education Survey Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is reminding early child care facility workers that they still have time to complete a survey for early childhood professionals. Learn More The deadline to fill out the survey for Pennsylvania early childhood professionals is Friday, January 31. Those who can take the survey include any childhood education professional at a state child care facility, including Head Start and Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts. The survey is being conducted on behalf of OCDEL, The Pennsylvania Key, and the Institute of State and Regional Affairs (ISRA) at Penn State Harrisburg. The aim is to learn about and identify solutions related to staffing, retention, and professional development resources throughout the state. The survey is open to teachers, assistant teachers, classroom aids, directors, owner-operators, administrative staff, and other staff at all state child care facilities. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. Those who take it can enter a drawing for the chance to win one of 50 Amazon e-gift cards for $50. The survey is offered in English and Spanish. It is now available on Penn State Harrisburg’s site.
PA Child Care Facilities Can Apply for Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Pennsylvania child care facilities are invited to apply for the Voluntary School and Childcare Lead Testing and Reduction Grant, the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) said. Who Should Apply Pennsylvania childcare facilities with lead in drinking water sample results within 36 months of the application date showing water fixtures exceeding the remediation trigger level of 5 ppb (parts per billion) are invited to apply for the grant. The WIIN 2107: Voluntary School and Childcare Lead Testing and Reduction Grant is offered through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Reduction activities may include purchasing and installing hydration stations, point-of-use devices designed to remove lead, or replacement of faucets. The primary goal of the grant program is to reduce children’s exposure to lead in drinking water. Funding under the grant has been appropriated under 1464(d) of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Funding provided will be up to $3,000 per hydration station per 100 students in one building. Up to $30,000 may be awarded per building/child care facility or $100,000 per school district. Applicants are encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting to discuss their lead reduction plans to ensure they meet applicable program criteria. Meetings can be scheduled by emailing RA-EPWIINLEAD@pa.gov.
December 20, 2024 OCDEL Announces Update to Health and Safety Pre-Service Training and PD Requirements The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has announced updates to health and safety pre-service training and professional development requirements. Learn More The announcement provides a new two-part Health and Safety Training that must be completed by all child care providers hired on or after January 1, 2025 who have not previously completed an acceptable health and safety training. This announcement replaces Announcements C-22-02, relating to Updates to Health and Safety Training and Professional Development Requirements, and C-22-06, relating to Updated Health and Safety Pre-Service and One-Hour Training. Both parts of the new health and safety training will be available in Spanish. More Details The update applies to all DHS certified child care facilities, early learning resource centers, and OCDEL and Early Learning staff. All current child care staff who completed the following Health and Safety Pre-Service training modules currently meet this training requirement and will not need to take the new health and safety training: Get Started with Center-Based Care – Revised 2022/Get Started with Home-Based Care – Revised 2022 (10 hours) Pennsylvania Health and Safety Update (1 hour), and any of the following courses: Health and Safety Basics: Requirements for Certification (6 hours), Get Started with Center-Based Care: Building Blocks for Quality (10 hours), Get Started with Home-Based Care: Building Blocks for Quality (10 hours) The last day to enroll in Get Started with Center-Based Care – Revised 2022/ Get Started with Home-Based Care – Revised 2022 will be December 31. After this date, individuals who enrolled in the course prior to the deadline will have until March 31 to complete the course, as it will no longer be available after that date. Next Steps All DHS certified child care providers must: Develop, communicate, and implement policies and procedures to adhere to regulations regarding professional development in health and safety topics Ensure all staff have completed and documented pre-service trainings within 90 days of employment and prior to caring for children unsupervised Ensure all staff have completed and documented updated Pediatric First Aid and CPR training and Mandated Reporter training prior to expiration For all staff, appropriate documentation and verification of pre-service and ongoing professional development training of all child care staff is retained in the facility person’s file or maintained in an electronic PD Registry For information, read the announcement on the Pennsylvania Key website.
December 18, 2024 OCDEL to Offer Course on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and the Pennsylvania Key are offering an eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. What is MBSR? MBSR is the most extensively-tested, evidence-based mindfulness program available. Mindfulness is the practice of paying focused, non-judgmental attention to the present moment. It involves being fully aware of your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surroundings without trying to change or avoid them. This eight-week course is aimed at individuals who are seeking a reputable and in-depth exploration of mindfulness meditation. It adheres to the same standards and structure as the in-person program created in 1979 by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. The course includes 2.5-hour sessions each week as well as a full day-long-at-home retreat and daily practice. It is an intense course for those seeking to deepen their mindfulness practice and understanding through a trusted and well-researched system. More Information Those interested in taking the class should view a recording on the Pennsylvania Key Mindfulness page prior to completing an application. The recording can be found at the bottom of the page. There are limited seats currently available. Applications will be prioritized for early childhood educators providing direct service to children and families. The application deadline is 4 p.m. on Friday, December 20. Applicants will be informed by Monday, December 23 of their application status. Those who are selected will receive a link and a code to register for the course through Mindful Leader, the organization hosting the courses. Applications are available online. The four different class options include: Starting January 6: Mondays, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Sessions: January 6 – March 3; retreat on Saturday, February 22) Starting January 12: Sundays, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Sessions: January 12 – March 9; retreat on Saturday, February 22) Starting January 24: Fridays, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Sessions: January 24 – March 21; retreat on Saturday, March 8) Starting January 28: Tuesdays, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Sessions: January 28 – March 25; retreat on Saturday, March 15)
December 9, 2024 OCDEL Announces CCW Base Payment Rate Increase for DHS Certified Providers The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s (OCDEL) Bureau of Policy and Professional Development has released an announcement on an increase to Child Care Works (CCW) base payment rates for Department of Human Services (DHS) certified providers. Learn More Effective January 1, the subsidy base rates – also known as the Maximum Child Care Allowance (MCCA) – will be increased to the 75th percentile. The base payment rate increase applies to: All DHS certified child care providers Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) OCDEL Early Learning Resource Center program representatives The announcement replaces ELRC Announcement 23 #01 – Increase to Child Care Works Base Payment Rates. Background The CCDBG Act requires lead agencies to certify that rates are sufficient to ensure eligible children have equal access to child care services. The benchmark for equal access established by the Administration for Children and Families Office of Child Care (ACF OCC) is the 75th percentile of the current child care market. OCC considers payment rates set at the 75th percentile or higher as providing equal access. Increasing the CCW base rate incentivizes additional provider participation in CCW. It also helps child care providers who participate in the program enhance services, invest in staff development, compensation, and promote overall quality in child care programs. Next Steps The next steps for DHS certified child care providers on updating pay rates include: Updating and communicating private rate pay changes on family agreements or contracts, website, and handbooks as applicable Completing Appendix C-1 ELRC Subsidized Child Care Provider Reported Rates Sending the completed Appendix C-1 along with verification of the DHS certified child care provider’s published rates to your ELRC by January 31 to receive the update rate Directing any questions to your ELRC The next step for ELRCs include: Reviewing and sharing this information with appropriate staff For any DHS certified child care providers returning completed Appendix C-1 and their published rates, entering updated rates into PELICAN CCW and converting rates for all DHS certified child care providers with an effective date of January 1 if verification is received by January 31. Generating and sending all DHS certified child care providers Appendix C-2 ELRC Subsidized Child Care Provider Payment Rates Directing any questions to your program representative More information on the increased rates can be found on The Pennsylvania Key website. Information on Pennsylvania’s Maximum Child Care Allowance daily rates are also available on that website.
November 19, 2024 Tuition Assistance Available for Spring 2025 Online Child Care Health Advocate Course Enrollment is open for a spring 2025 online Child Care Health Advocate course offered by Northampton Community College. Learn More The three-credit hour college course (EARL 160) is taught remotely over the course of 14 weeks between Jan. 21 and May 12. The course prepares the child care practitioner to function in the role of a child care health advocate. The class addresses 15 different health and safety modules as a resource for child care directors, teachers, assistant teachers, and child care practitioners. Participants will learn to assess, identify, and prioritize the health and safety needs of children and staff and will learn to collaborate with a registered nurse or licensed physician who serves as the facility’s child care health consultant. In partnership with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), tuition assistance is available for child care facility staff currently employed in Pennsylvania. Register Now Those interested in the course should register early because space is limited. To start the enrollment process for an OCDEL-supported slot, fill out the online survey. All Pennsylvania early childhood staff – including directors, teachers, assistant teachers, and family child care home providers – are eligible to enroll. OCDEL will cover all tuition-related fees, books, and materials for the course (valued at more than $1,000). The course is aimed at enabling students to meet Standard 1.3.2.7 Qualifications and Responsibilities for Health Advocates. It offers an opportunity for child care practitioners to acquire academic credit that may be applicable toward college degrees. Credits can also be used to renew director credentials. Any questions about the course should be emailed to ecels@paaap.org.
November 18, 2024 OCDEL Calls for Early Childhood Education Professionals to Take Survey Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is calling on early childhood education professionals to take a survey regarding staffing, retention, and professional development resources. Learn More The survey is being conducted by the Institute of State and Regional Affairs (ISRA) at Penn State Harrisburg on behalf of OCDEL and The Pennsylvania Key. The purpose is to learn about and identify solutions relating to staffing, retention, and professional development resources in the state. The survey is open to all Pennsylvania early childhood education professionals at any child care facility, including Head Start and Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts. Those who should take the survey include teachers, assistant teachers, classroom aids, directors, owner-operators, administrative staff, and all other staff. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. Those who participate can enter an optional drawing for the chance to win a $50 Amazon e-gift card. The survey is available in English or Spanish. It will close in January. For more information, email ChildCareResearch@psu.edu.
October 28, 2024 OCDEL Offers Scholarship Through Pitt’s Infant Mental Health Certificate Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is offering a scholarship for professionals serving children and families in prenatal, infant, toddler, and preschool programs. Learn More The scholarship enables participants to take part at no cost in a pilot program through the University of Pittsburgh’s Infant Mental Health Professional Development certificate. It is aimed at the state’s licensed child care providers, Head Start/Early Head Start and PA Pre-K Counts programs. Traditionally, the course has been provided to Infant/Toddler Early Intervention, OCDEL-funded home visitors, Infant Early Childhood Mental Health, and Rapid Response team members. The course is being extended to providers as a result of ongoing discussions and evaluation of requests for professional development from the field. Its extension is due to the challenges faced by providers across the state who support the mental health and well-being of young children and families. The scholarship seeks to enable early learning professionals to partner with others and better support families in Pennsylvania. Those interested can apply through The Pennsylvania Key on behalf of OCDEL’s Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development. The application for the 2025 Infant Mental Health (IMH) Certificate & Learning Circle – Scholarship closes on Nov. 15. Information on applicant criteria, the approval and evaluation process for candidates, course consideration, registration information, the course structure, and FAQs can be found on The Pennsylvania Key’s website.
October 3, 2024 New Civil Rights Compliance Form Required for Submitting Licensing Applications and Renewals Certified child care providers must use a new Civil Rights Compliance form when submitting a new licensing application, according to Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Learn More Prospective child care providers seeking a new license will utilize the Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) form (HS 2126 9/24). The prior form (HS 2126 8/22) is now obsolete and will be returned to providers if submitted on Oct. 1 or later. The new CRC form must be included in packets submitted as part of any new license request. For licensing renewals, a licensee must also now submit the new CRC Renewal form. The prior attestation form (HS 2125 8/22) is obsolete as of Oct. 1. The new CRC form must be submitted as part of a renewal application. The renewal notice will still be sent out 130 days prior to expiration. Visit the Pennsylvania Key’s website for more details or to access the form.
September 9, 2024 PA Promise Releases Book List for Families and Friends Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children has compiled a list of books that are best for families and friends. Learn More As part of its monthly Learning is Everywhere Calendar, PA Promise for Children has released a printable list of 12 Family and Friends Books. Book List for Families and Friends includes: Ciencia Magica enla sala de estar (Richard Robinson) Please, Baby, Please (Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee) Who’s In My Family (Robie H. Harris) More More More Said the Baby: Three Love Stories (Vera Williams) Annie Rose is My Little Sister (Shirley Hughes) Lion in the Living Room (Caelaach McKinna and A.R. Stone) Crazy Hair Day (Barney Saltzberg) Toot and Puddle, You Are My Sunshine (Holly Hobbie) Guess How Much I Love You (Sam McBratney) Max’s First Word (Rosemary Wells) Hunter’s Best Friend at School (L.M. Elliott) Harold and the Purple Crayon (Crockett Johnson) About PA Promise for Children Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children, also known as PA Promise, is a campaign to help families make good choices about their child’s early learning and choose quality early learning programs that are right for their family. The state’s Office of Early Learning and Development (OCDEL) is the primary partner for PA Promise.
