News

April 7, 2020

Learning with Parents: Children on the Autism Spectrum and the Arts

Join Brazelton Touchpoints Center‘s Joshua Sparrow, MD for the premiere of Learning with Parents: Children on the Autism Spectrum and the Arts, featuring Elaine Hall, Founder of The Miracle Project, and Yudi Bennett, Co-Founder of Exceptional Minds.

About

In this webinar, participants will find out how – as mothers and entertainment industry professionals – Yudi and Elaine learned to not only listen to their children, but also give a voice to thousands of children with autism spectrum disorders and to help them discover their inner artists!

Registration

To register, visit the event webpage.

News

January 28, 2020

Study Opportunity: Parents Promoting Early Learning

Parents of four-year-old children are invited to participate in a new University of Pittsburgh study named, “Parents Promoting Early Learning.” Compensation provided.

About

Parents Promoting Early Learning studies how parents and their four-year-old children interact and how such interactions help prepare the child for school. Study participants will be compensated and must complete:

- two visits, hosted at the participant’s home or at a University of Pittsburgh office, where the parent and child complete games and assessments,
- questionnaires and interviews about the child’s development and activities, and
- a one-year follow-up visit for more games and assessments.

Requirements

- Child is age four (or almost four)
- Parent must participate
- Both parent and child identify as either African American or White
- Both parent and child are fluent in English
- Child has never been diagnosed with a disability

More Information

For more information, call 412.204.6845, email ppel@pitt.edu, or visit the research study webpage.

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News

October 30, 2019

OCDEL Announces New Community Survey

About

Every five years, states have the opportunity to learn about the well-being of families of young children in local communities. Pennsylvania is asking any individual living in the state to complete this short survey. Through the data collected, Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) will better understand the resources for families living in your community. Survey responses will be used statewide and locally to inform Family Support Services, such as parenting classes and home visiting services.

Hearing from everyone is important! Whether you’re a parent or a provider of family and early childhood services, please complete and share this survey.

Take the OCDEL Community Survey

In English

Please take about five to ten minutes to complete the survey. Your input is critical to informing stakeholders about the factors that may affect the well-being of young children and families in communities across Pennsylvania.

If you wish to complete the OCDEL Community Survey in English, enter the following link into your web browser: is.gd/surveypa

En Español

Le pedimos que pase entre 5 a 10 minutos para contestar la encuesta. Sus aportes son muy importantes para nosotros ya que nos ayudarán a identificar y comprender los factores que pueden afectar la salud dentro de su familia y su comunidad en Pennsylvania.

Si desea completar la encuesta en español, meter el enlace siguiente en su navegador de internet: is.gd/encuestapa

More Information

To learn more, read the full announcement.

*Information provided by OCDEL

News

September 17, 2019

Healthy School Summit 2019

Join Healthy Schools Pennsylvania on Friday, October 25 for their 4th Annual Healthy Schools Summit to learn, collaborate, and commit to creating healthier, greener, and more sustainable learning environments for all children in our region!

Morning Sessions

- Foundations for Student Success: How School Buildings Influence Student Health, Thinking, & Performance
  Keynote Speaker – Erika Eitland, MPH Program Manager, Schools for Health, Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health
- What Does it Take to Create a Healthy School?
  Panel Discussion – Cassandra Brown, RN, Pittsburgh Public Schools; Jake Douglas, Food Services Director, Deer Lakes School District; Christine Schott, Parent and Sustainability Coordinator, Steel Valley School District; Vicki Ammar, Teacher, Pittsburgh Public Schools
- Celebrating Success through Our Healthy Schools Recognition Program
  Awards Ceremony and Luncheon
- Working Lunch: What Makes a Successful School Grant Proposal?
  Featuring Tracey Reed Armant from the Grable Foundation

Afternoon Sessions

- Teaching Resiliency and Environmental Justice in the Classroom
  Educator Workshop – Katie Modic, Director of Education Initiatives at Communitopia
- Creating a Game-Plan for Whole-School Sustainability
  School Administrator Workshop – Donnan Stoicovy, Head of School, State College Friends School
- Engaging Parents and Community Partners for Healthy Schools
  Parent and Partner Workshop – Monté Robinson, Community Schools Coordinator, Pittsburgh Public Schools and LaKeisha Wolf, Executive Director, Ujamaa Collective

Registration

To register, visit the Eventbrite page.

Learn More

For questions, email Healthy Schools Coordinator, Kara Rubio, at 412.404.2872 or kara@womenforahealthyenvironment.org.

News

May 13, 2019

Lunch & Learn: Sensory Learning & the Autism Spectrum

Join Parents in Toto Autism Resource Center, Seneca Valley School District, and Remake Learning to discuss the importance of sensory learning for youth on the autism spectrum, benefits of this learning, and the parent resources that are available.

About

Educators, administrators, community organization leaders, and parents are highly encouraged to attend and take part in this important conversation surrounding differently-abled youth in the region. Lunch will be served. More details and accessibility will be noted in an email closer to the event.

For any dietary restrictions or requests, email Allie at allie@remakelearning.org. The deadline for restriction requests is June 19, 2019.

Registration

This event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, visit the event webpage.

For questions about the event or accessibility, email Allie at allie@remakelearning.org.

News

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.

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News

May 1, 2019

STEM All Hands on Tech: Robot Playground

Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Carrick branch for a day of experimentation, play, and learning by exploring interactive technology and a variety of robots. STEM All Hands On Tech programs support learning and literacy by introducing children to technology. This event is intended for children in grades pre-k to 5.

Questions

For questions, contact Jon Antoszewski at 412.381.6543 or antoszewskijo@carnegielibrary.org.

This location is handicap accessible. See the event page.

News

Leap into Science! Workshop

Professionals and community members that teach Preschool/School Age children and/or families are invited to join a national network for science and literacy. By joining, you will receive training and materials to lead Leap into Science workshops.

What is Leap into Science?

Leap into Science is a nationwide program developed by the Franklin Institute Science Museum that integrates open-ended science activities with children’s books, designed for children ages 3-10 and their families. The program empowers educators to offer workshops in community settings like libraries, museums, and out-of-school time programs to engage underserved audiences in accessible and familiar settings. Leap into Science provides workshops on a science theme for three possible audiences: early childhood, elementary, and family groups.

Workshops

The Pennsylvania Leap into Science Leadership Team is hosting free training sessions on Leap into Science Wind workshops at the following times and locations:

Edinboro, PA: August 22, 2019; 10:00 am – 2:30 pm
Williamsport, PA: September 12, 2019; 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Allentown, PA: Oct 1, 2019, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm

Benefits

Each organization who participates in Leap into Science will receive:

A 4-hour in-person training on high-quality science and literacy curriculum and facilitation strategies for two or more educators,
Ongoing support during program implementation as part of a Leap into Science National Network,
Access to the national Leap into Science leadership team and online resources,
A curriculum and materials kit (valued at $300), and
Web-based training on new curriculum themes in subsequent years

Commitments

As a Leap into Science partner organization, you are committing to:

Scheduling and leading at least three (3) Leap into Science workshops for children and/or families living in underserved rural or urban communities by next spring,
Posting each workshop to The Connectory, a searchable directory for STEM programs across the country,
Leading Leap into Science activities during National Leap into Science Week during the last week of February,
Completing a workshop report following each workshop,
Participating in quarterly calls with other trained educators in your state, and
Completing an annual survey and possible interview.

Registration

To participate in the national network and attend one of the training sessions listed above, please complete this brief application form by May 15, 2019. Priority will be given to organizations that can send at least two educators to the training. If selected, you will receive email notification of your acceptance by June 15, 2019, along with details about the training you will attend.

Questions

For more information, contact the Franklin Institute Science Museum at 215.448.1200 or guestservices@fi.edu.

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News

April 15, 2019

Sign-On to Support Families Impacted by Postpartum Depression

Understanding the Need

Postpartum depression can strike any new mother. Research shows that approximately 15 percent of new mothers suffer from postpartum depression. In Pennsylvania, this means about 21,000 infants and moms are affected each year.

The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that when a mother suffers from postpartum depression, both mothers and babies experience negative effects, including:

adverse effects on the baby’s brain and development,
increased danger of child abuse and neglect, and
increased medical care costs.

Will you sign-on to support Pennsylvania’s mothers and infants?

What is #StrongMomStrongBaby?

#StrongMomStrongBaby is a statewide effort to amend the existing early intervention law (Act 212 of 1990) to add postpartum depression as an at-risk condition allowing infants to undergo assessments, parents to receive assistance in bonding with their babies, and if needed, Early Intervention services to ensure moms and babies have the best start together.

To learn more and stay up-to-date, follow the campaign’s Facebook page.

Take Action

Show your support for Pennsylvania’s mothers and infants by adding your name to the #StrongMomStrongBaby petition.

News

April 10, 2019

Child Care Woes: The Push to Expand Access

In a recent article published online by the Christian Science Monitor (CSM), Trying Together Executive Director Cara Ciminillo discussed parent’s “constant hustle” in relation to providing and identifying high-quality care for their young children.

Overview

In the article, staff writer Sara Miller Llana brings in the story of Dana Hunter, a full-time employee and mother living in Pittsburgh. In this, Ms. Hunter describes the challenging balancing act of providing primary care for her young children while managing the workload and time requirements of full-time employment. Trying Together Cara Ciminillo mentions, “It’s a constant hustle. It’s a constant piecing together and juggling of demands and priorities.”

After sharing this story, the article later goes on to explain the growing support for pre-k, calling on evidence that access to early education not only supports the healthy development of young children but also supports caregivers’ return to the workforce. Although political figures are calling for increased access to early care and education, supported by the successful implementation of such programs in other countries, “affordable, quality child care still remains out of reach for many families, with women often shouldering the bulk of domestic management.”

Article

Read the full article to learn more about Pennsylvania’s push to expand access to child care.