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Tag: office of child development and early learning

Let’s Chat About Webinars

News

December 4, 2024

Let’s Chat About Webinars

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) will co-host a series of four webinars on language and literacy development.

Learn More

The webinars will include information on structured literacy and provide resources to share with families and use in classrooms and centers. The free, hour-long webinars will run from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates:

  • January 10: Supporting Early Communication
  • January 24: Building an Inclusive Library for Young Children
  • February 7: Putting the Fun in Phonological Awareness
  • February 21: Promoting Emergent Writing with Children

Attendees will be able to earn PQAS credit hours, Infant Toddler hours, and ACT48 hours.

More information and registration is available on the Let’s Chat About Webinars website.

Let’s Chat About Webinars

News

Let’s Chat About Webinars

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) will co-host a series of four webinars on language and literacy development.

Learn More

The webinars will include information on structured literacy and provide resources to share with families and use in classrooms and centers. The free, hour-long webinars will run from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates:

  • January 10: Supporting Early Communication
  • January 24: Building an Inclusive Library for Young Children
  • February 7: Putting the Fun in Phonological Awareness
  • February 21: Promoting Emergent Writing with Children

Attendees will be able to earn PQAS credit hours, Infant Toddler hours, and ACT48 hours.

More information and registration is available on the Let’s Chat About Webinars website.

Let’s Chat About Webinars

News

Let’s Chat About Webinars

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) will co-host a series of four webinars on language and literacy development.

Learn More

The webinars will include information on structured literacy and provide resources to share with families and use in classrooms and centers. The free, hour-long webinars will run from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates:

  • January 10: Supporting Early Communication
  • January 24: Building an Inclusive Library for Young Children
  • February 7: Putting the Fun in Phonological Awareness
  • February 21: Promoting Emergent Writing with Children

Attendees will be able to earn PQAS credit hours, Infant Toddler hours, and ACT48 hours.

More information and registration is available on the Let’s Chat About Webinars website.

Tuition Assistance Available for Spring 2025 Online Child Care Health Advocate Course

News

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.

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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. 

Free Training Available: Strengthening Business Practices for Child Care Programs

News

September 2, 2024

Free Training Available: Strengthening Business Practices for Child Care Programs

The National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assistance is collaborating with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to offer Strengthening Business Practices for Child Care Programs starting in October.

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The content and activities in the four offered modules are designed to strengthen child care providers’ foundational knowledge of sound fiscal management and business operations.

The four modules of business practices content in the series include:

  • Budgets, Projections, and Planning
  • Financial Reports and Internal Controls
  • Marketing for Child Care Programs
  • Staff Recruitment and Retention for Center-Based Child Care Programs

There are two versions of the series – one for center-based providers and another for family child care providers.

Business Practices for Child Care Programs Topics

During the fiscal management portion of the series – which focuses on budgets, projections, and planning – attendees will:

  • Learn a process for building a budget and how to use it for decision-making throughout the year
  • Understand how to project business costs, generate additional income, and plan strategically for future goals

On the topics of financial reports and internal controls, the series will teach attendees how to:

  • Introduce financial reports that can help to better manage a program’s finances
  • Understand the concept of internal controls and how they can strengthen a program’s fiscal health

For the child care program marketing section of the series, attendees will learn to:

  • Be able to articulate the features and benefits of the program and understand how to use them as marketing tools
  • Appreciate how data can inform marketing efforts to achieve greater success, become more cost-effective, and use time more efficiently

On the topics of staff recruitment and retention, participants will learn best practices related to recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new employees. It will also cover:

  • Having a framework for building and effective orientation plan for new employees and being familiar with the components of a staff handbook
  • Identifying strategies for providing feedback to employees

Modules

PQAS hours are available for those taking the course. Courses are offered in English and Spanish. 

Center-based modules include:

  • Budgets, Projections, and Planning; Monday, Nov. 4 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Financial Reports and Internal Controls; Monday, Dec. 9 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Marketing Your Program; Monday, Jan. 6 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Recruiting and Retaining Staff; Monday, Feb. 3 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Family-based modules include:

  • Budgets, Projections, and Planning; Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Financial Reports and Internal Controls; Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Marketing Your Program; Monday, Nov. 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Spanish family-based modules include:

  • Budgets, Projections, and Planning; Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon
  • Financial Reports and Internal Controls; Saturday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon
  • Marketing Your Program; Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information on the series, visit the Pennsylvania Key’s website.

OCDEL Bureau of Certification Services’ Western Office Moves to New Address

News

August 29, 2024

OCDEL Bureau of Certification Services’ Western Office Moves to New Address

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s (OCDEL) Bureau of Certification Services – Western Office has moved to a new address in Pittsburgh.

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As of Aug. 29, the OCDEL bureau has moved to the following address:

  • Western Region Office
    301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 370
    Pittsburgh, PA 15222

The phone numbers for the Western Region OCDEL office remain the same: 412-565-5183 and (800) 222-2149.

An updated regional map with contact information for each Regional Office of Child Development and Early Learning is also available.

OCDEL, Penn State Project ECHO to Host Series for Spanish-Speaking Families

News

August 19, 2024

OCDEL, Penn State Project ECHO to Host Series for Spanish-Speaking Families

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Penn State Project ECHO will release a new series this fall that features the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and focuses on the needs of Spanish-speaking families.

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The Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO), which launches in the fall, will feature the CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early program, which is aimed at serving Spanish speakers.

The CDC’s tools and resources allow families and early care providers to jointly engage in the early identification of developmental delays and disabilities among children from birth through age 5.

Participants in the series will learn how to help support families with developmental milestone monitoring. It will highlight the utilization and promotion of the CDC’s Milestones Tracker App, which is a free developmental tracker resource offered in English and Spanish.

The series is for early care providers only and registration is not limited to those who work only with Spanish-speaking families.

The series will run from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the following Wednesdays:

  • Sept. 25
  • Oct. 9
  • Oct. 23
  • Nov. 6
  • Nov. 20
  • Dec. 4

More details and registration information will be announced in the September Early Ed News. Any questions should be sent to Ilecia Voughs at ivoughs@pattan.net.

Changes Announced for DOH Staff Visits to Child Care Providers

News

July 24, 2024

Changes Announced for DOH Staff Visits to Child Care Providers

The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) will continue their collaboration regarding immunizations for children and staff at child care providers. However, there will be some changes this year regarding visits to providers and the reporting of each child’s immunization status.

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A letter from OCDEL to child care providers states that, beginning in July, DOH field nurses and local Municipality Department of Health field staff will visit randomly selected providers to offer immunization education and resource materials for staff and parents or caregivers. A review of child immunization records can be provided if requested by the child care provider. 

Providers will be able to ask questions and request specific educational resources from the field nurses and staff who visit their facilities. 

Additionally, the DOH will send out electronic surveys to all child care providers regarding the immunization status of every enrolled child at their facility. These surveys will serve as the mandatory reporting requirements for child care settings outlined in DOH regulations. The surveys are expected to be sent out later this summer.

Child care providers who are randomly scheduled for a visit should expect a phone call or email from DOH or the local municipality. Any questions or concerns should be addressed to the DOH’s Janine Strick at 717-878-5681.

Free Leadership Training Offered for Families of Children in Early Intervention or Preschool

News

July 8, 2024

Free Leadership Training Offered for Families of Children in Early Intervention or Preschool

Parent to Parent Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning will host upcoming free leadership development training for families of children receiving early intervention or preschool services.

Learn More

Competence and Confidence: Partners in Policymaking will provide free training during a series of sessions from September through May. 

Participants in the course will:

  • Learn about the infant/toddler and preschool early intervention (EI) system
  • Connect with other families
  • Build skills to advocate for their family and others

Participation is limited, so those interested should apply right away. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on August 5, 2024. Applicants will be notified by September 6 if they are accepted.

Applicants should:

  • Have a child between the ages of birth and five years who is currently receiving state infant/toddler or preschool EI services
  • Have a desire to advocate for themselves and others
  • Can commit to participate in all eight sessions

Lodging, meals, mileage, and child care reimbursement will be provided to participants.

Schedule

The schedule of sessions is:

  • September 27, 2004 (virtual) – Noon to 1:30 p.m.
  • October 18-19, 2024 (DoubleTree Hotel in Lancaster) – Friday at 1 p.m. to Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
  • November 15-16, 2024 (DoubleTree Hotel) – Friday at 1 p.m. to Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
  • January 31, 2025 (virtual) – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • February 28, 2025 (virtual) – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • March 21-22, 2025 (DoubleTree Hotel) – Friday at 1 p.m. to Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
  • April 25, 2025 (virtual) – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • May 16-17, 2025 (DoubleTree Hotel) – Friday at 1 p.m. to Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

The sessions are funded by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning, with support from the Temple Institute on Disabilities.

State Accepting Applications for Children’s Trust Fund Grants

News

May 28, 2024

State Accepting Applications for Children’s Trust Fund Grants

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is accepting applications for Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) grants to promote primary and secondary child abuse and neglect prevention programs in community-based settings. 

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The purpose of the grants is to prevent the abuse or neglect of children in Pennsylvania. Any organization located and operating in Pennsylvania that provides direct services and meets specific criteria can apply for a grant. The grants operate under the administration of the CTF Board and DHS.

The CTF, which was established in 1988, operates under the administration of the CTF Board and is supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Funds for the CTF are generated from a $10 surcharge on all applications for marriage licenses and divorce complaints. The surcharges are paid into a nonlapsing fund.

Requirements

Applicants must plan to deliver an evidence-based program focusing on the parent/primary caregiver and their child, or the whole family. The applicant must provide evidence of the program’s effectiveness. Applicants can propose a home-grown program if evidence shows a positive outcome towards child abuse prevention or reduction. However, the program may not focus solely on the child.

Proposed programs should work with families over a period of time, rather than provide information or education during a single instance. CTF funding is intended to assist with providing a new service for families in a community or an expansion of service to an underserved or underrepresented demographic within a currently-served community. 

The application deadline is June 18. More information on the application process can be found on the eMarketPlace website or by emailing rolease@pa.gov.