October 11, 2023 E-Learning Course: Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions A new course, Exploring the WIDA Prek-3 Essential Actions, is now available in the PD Registry for free. Learn More This self-paced e-learning course will introduce educators to the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions. Educators will have an opportunity to build their knowledge and understanding of the Essential Actions and key concepts embedded in the Essential Actions for supporting dual language learners. They will also reflect on their own ideologies, practices, and settings. This course will invite participants to apply their learning and take action to enhance their current practices by utilizing the tools and resources provided. Register To register for the course, visit the PD Registry and search the training calendar for Exploring the WIDA Prek-3 Essential Actions. Any questions can be directed to Barry Wiestling at bwiestling@pa.gov.
June 12, 2023 WIDA Early Years Program to Sunset in June WIDA and the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) will sunset the WIDA Early Years Membership Program for Pennsylvania on June 30. Consequently, the four current, free, one-hour, self-paced, WIDA Early Years trainings in the PD Registry will no longer be available beginning July 1, and anyone completing WIDA Early Years training coursework must do so by July 1 to receive credit for the training. Still, trainers who completed the WIDA cohort may still offer in-person WIDA courses in the PD Registry for a fee. About the WIDA Early Years Membership Program WIDA Early Years Membership Program promotes equitable early care and education (ECE) opportunities for young, multilingual children through partnerships with state agencies. Though the program will end on June 30, WIDA will continue to make PreK–3 resources available on the WIDA website under “Early Language Development” or “Teaching in PreK–3.” Additionally, OCDEL will make dual language resources available on the Pennsylvania Key website. Future WIDA Offerings Beginning September 1, WIDA will offer two new PreK-3 resources: A new self-paced workshop, “Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions,” will introduce educators to the new WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions. Educators will have an opportunity to build their knowledge and understanding of the Essential Actions and to reflect on their own ideologies, practices, and settings. Access to the course will require a WIDA Secure Portal account. Search the training calendar in the PD Registry for “Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions” or contact Barry Wiestling at bwiestling@pa.gov for information about how to set up a WIDA Secure Portal account and access this and other WIDA self-paced offerings. A new, “Are We Ready?” resource will support PreK–3 educators to promote and provide equitable transitions for multilingual children and their families. This resource will be available on the WIDA website. Learn More Please contact Barry Wiestling at bwiestling@pa.gov with questions. To learn more, visit the WIDA website.
May 1, 2023 EITA Offering Professional Development Opportunity on the Growing Brain Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) is offering early childhood professionals a professional development opportunity to learn about brain growth in children from birth to five years of age. Aptly named, “The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old,” this virtual series details child brain development and shares ways to encourage healthy growth in young children. About “The Growing Brain” Decades of research indicate that the early years of life are a period of exponential brain development, characterized by great opportunity and vulnerability dependent on child relationships and environment. In this series, participants will develop skills and strategies to: understand the architecture and neurobiology of brain development support language, cognition, prosocial behavior, and social-emotional development and reduce toxic stress that can negatively influence brain development in very young children Session Details “The Growing Brain” is offered in several, progressive sessions. Each session is offered twice, and interested individuals can register and attend as many or as few sessions as they like. One PQAS credit is available for each session. Sessions include: Factors Affecting Brain Growth & Development In this session, participants will identify factors that negatively impact brain development, understand the impact of stress on the developing brain, and learn about strategies for supporting healthy brain growth and development. Offered: Thursday April 27 | 12 – 1 p.m. Friday April 28 | 8 – 9 a.m. Communication & Language Development In this session, participants will understand communication milestones, learn strategies for supporting early communication skills, and understand multi-language learning. Offered: Thursday May 4 | 12 – 1 p.m. Friday, May 5 | 8 – 9 a.m. Cognition & Executive Function In this session, participants will review and summarize key cognitive milestones in brain development, as well as explore the layers of executive function and its importance in child development. Offered: Thursday, May 18 | 12 – 1 p.m. Friday, May 19 | 8 – 9 a.m. Social-Emotional Development In this session, participants will review key social emotional development milestones in children, as well as connect which areas of the brain are involved in social interactions and examine the role that relationships and attachment play in social-emotional development. Offered: Thursday, May 25 | 12 – 1 p.m. Friday, May 26 | 8 – 9 a.m. Understanding Behavior In this module, session leaders will discuss approaches for identifying the root cause of young children’s behavior and demonstrate effective strategies to address challenging behaviors in very young children. Offered: Thursday, June 1 | 12 – 1 p.m. Friday, June 2 | 8 – 9 a.m. Everyday Play In this session, participants will learn to understand the stages and types of play that unfold in early childhood, the role of the brain in this process, and how to maximize children’s learning through play. Offered: Thursday, June 8 | 12 – 1 p.m. Friday, June 9 | 8 – 9 a.m. Register for any or all sessions on the PD Registry. Learn More This series is presented by EITA Consultants certified in “The Growing Brain” curriculum, which was developed by Zero to Three Professional Development and Workforce Innovations (PDWI). PDWI aims to elevate the knowledge skills and abilities of early childhood professionals. For additional information on this offering, view the flyer. For additional information on “The Growing Brain,” visit www.zerotothree.org/growingbrain or the PD Registry.
September 7, 2022 PD Registry Fall Spanish Speaking Virtual Office Hours The Pennsylvania Key will host recurring office hours for Spanish speaking early childhood education providers interested in learning more about the Professional Development (PD) Registry. Learn More The PD registry is a system for the workforce that connects to many of the OCDEL initiatives for early childhood education programs in Pennsylvania. Office hours will be held the same day, at two times of the day to meet the needs of both center and family child care settings. Below is a list of topics to be discussed during office hours. Please note, that a Spanish speaking provider can connect to any of the office hours with questions related to the PD Registry. Spanish Speaking providers can also reach the PD Registry help desk by sending an email (in Spanish) to registry@pakeys.org. Please put “AYUDA” in the subject line. Sessions September 14, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. October 12, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. November 9, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. All meetings can be accessed on Zoom. Share this flyer with your networks. (English) (Spanish)
May 10, 2022 Prepare for Upcoming Grant Opportunities in the PD Registry The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) plans to administer upcoming grant opportunities through Pennsylvania’s Professional Development (PD) Registry. About There are steps early childhood (ECE) professionals and programs can complete now to prepare for grant opportunities. All ECE professionals should: Create an account in the PD Registry Complete their profile Add their employment Directors and/or owners should complete the steps above for themselves and assist their staff to complete them as well. Directors must also verify all staff who have added their employment to their profile and are able to invite any staff who have not added their employment. Verifying employment is important to ensure everyone is eligible for upcoming grant opportunities in the PD Registry. To learn more about the PD Registry and access additional resources, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.
March 3, 2022 PD Registry Spanish Speaking Virtual Office Hours The Pennsylvania Key will host recurring office hours for Spanish speaking early childhood education providers interested in learning more about the Professional Development (PD) Registry. About The PD registry is a system for the workforce that connects to many of the OCDEL initiatives for early childhood education programs in Pennsylvania. Office hours will be held the same day, at two times of the day to meet the needs of both center and family child care settings. Below is a list of topics to be discussed during office hours. Please note, that a Spanish speaking provider can connect to any of the office hours with questions related to the PD Registry. Spanish Speaking providers can also reach the PD Registry help desk by sending an email (in Spanish) to registry@pakeys.org. Please put “AYUDA” in the subject line. Session Details Career Pathway Applications March 9, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Finding PD on the Register April 6, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. PD Registry and Keystone STARS May 4, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. All meetings can be accessed on Zoom. Share this flyer with your networks. (English) (Spanish)
November 23, 2021 Tip Sheet: Using the PD Registry Document Vault As part of the new process for Keystone STARS pre-designation and designation applications, an updated Tip Sheet for Using the Document Vault within the PD Registry has been developed. About Though the new process has been delayed until 2022, child care providers can begin using the Document Vault feature, which aims to help them store important designation information in a centralized location for future designation purposes. The tip sheet includes information on Vault functionality, naming documents, and instructions for uploading documents. The Document Vault can be seen as a centralized storage location where important documentation and evidence can be stored for use in future Keystone STARS Designation activities. It is important to note that documents that were previously uploaded into the Keystone STARS Document Uploader will not automatically transfer into a program’s Document Vault. View the Document Vault tip sheet on the PA Keys website. The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) will release additional guidance related to the rollout of the streamlined Keystone STARS Designation System in the upcoming months and will continue to offer training for both providers and ELRC staff until the go-live date in early 2022.
February 5, 2021 Early Childhood Professionals: Advance Your Career Are you looking to advance your career? Check out these professional development resources and opportunities in Pennsylvania. Apprenticeship Program Apprenticeship combines on-the-job learning with related technical instruction to build skills and create pathways to earning a CDA Credential, Associate’s Degree, or Bachelor’s Degree through partners at Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) and Carlow University. Apply: Apprenticeship is accepting new apprentices for the 2021 Spring and Summer semesters. To learn more, contact Lindsey Vicoria at lindseyv@tryingtogether.org. Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential A Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is the most widely recognized credential in the early childhood field and is a key stepping stone on the path to career advancement. Trying Together offers three CDA programs that include individualized support for professionals in Pennsylvania: CDA Credential Preparation Program CDA Community of Practice Program CDA Renewal Program Apply: To learn more and apply, visit our CDA Credential page. ECE Professional Development Organization The Professional Development Organization (PDO) is a grant-funded educational collaboration among four universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and numerous partner universities, colleges, and community programs across the state to advance the career pathways of the early childhood workforce. Benefits: PDO funding covers tuition, expenses, and other supports to help eligible early childhood educators earn credit-bearing credentials and degrees. Eligibility: Tuition-free courses are available for early childhood professionals who: are Pennsylvania residents, work in a Keystone STARS program, and work a minimum average of 25 hours per week over an entire work year (during non-COVID times). Apply: To determine your eligibility, complete the online application. Once your eligibility is confirmed, a PDO Liaison from your region will contact you to discuss your options. PA Professional Development Registry The Pennsylvania Professional Development (PD) Registry is an online system that: offers a consolidated list of professional development opportunities, tracks completed courses and PQAS credit hours, and collects data about the early childhood workforce to advocate for better education opportunities and higher wages. Learn More: Learn the full benefits of the PD Registry. Professional Growth Opportunities Trying Together delivers professional growth services that: connect with high-quality early childhood practices; are instructed by a certified PQAS instructor and are ACT 48 approved; and align with the Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies, NAEYC Standards, Danielson Framework, and Keystone STARS performance standards. Receive PD Updates: Sign up to receive our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Receive Personalized Updates: Update your Professional Development Interests and Preferences to receive personalized updates. More Information For questions about Trying Together’s professional development opportunities, contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org. For questions about the PDO, contact Mimi Loughead at mimi@tryingtogether.org.
October 21, 2020 Benefits of Having a PD Registry Profile Do you have a Pennsylvania PD Registry profile? If not, you are missing out on features that could help you schedule professional development, request financial assistance, and more. What is the PD Registry? The Pennsylvania Professional Development (PD) Registry is an online system that functions as a “workforce registry” by tracking the professional accomplishments of registered individuals, providing important data about the early childhood workforce, and highlighting a consolidated list of available professional development opportunities. Data collected through the PD Registry—including data such as length of time in the field, education level, and wages—is also used to advocate for better education opportunities and higher wages for professionals in Pennsylvania. Benefits Early Learning and School-Age Professionals Through the PD Registry, early learning and school-age professionals can: track their employment, education, and training history; complete a professional development self-assessment to plan upcoming training; register for in-person and online professional training that offers PQAS and Act 48 credit; begin an application for financial assistance if eligible; keep track of CPR, First Aid, and Fire Safety expiration dates; and more. Program Directors Through the PD Registry, Program Directors can: track staff completion of Bureau of Certification and Keystone STARS training requirements; access verified staff qualifications for meeting Certification and Keystone STARS requirements; support staff with professional development planning; and register staff members for training using the statewide training calendar. Creating an Account If you don’t have an account, visit the PD Registry website to create one. For assistance, view this step-by-step tip sheet on how to create an account or contact pdregistry@pakeys.org. More Information Additional tip sheets and resources are available for new users, existing users, and program directors. For more information, view this document or visit the Pennsylvania Key website.
October 20, 2020 The Ins and Outs of the PD Registry Want to use the PD Registry to maximize your professional growth? Join Trying Together on October 28 for our free virtual workshop, “Connections and Conversations: The Ins and Outs of the PD Registry.” About In this Connections and Conversations Virtual Check-In session, participants will engage in virtual discussions with an Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 Quality Coach and interact with early learning practitioners to share questions, experiences, and expertise about the Pennsylvania Professional Development (PD) Registry. This session will offer one hour of PQAS credit. Act 48 credit will not be provided. Join us to learn how to use the PD Registry as an asset for individual growth and as a springboard for collaborative discussion on professionals development between practitioners and leadership. This course will overview the general use of navigating an individual account, as well as the benefits leadership members can utilize as an organization administrator. Session Details Session Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2020 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Instructor: Katie Streiff Core Knowledge Area: Organization and Administration CDA Content Area: Effective Program Operation Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 27, 2020 Registration To register, visit the course 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 and Act 48 credit 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. Session Rules and Guidelines These virtual discussions are designed to provide educators the opportunity to grow professionally and share knowledge on early childhood topics. During the meeting, participants should follow the guidelines below to ensure a successful virtual meeting for all participants. Please allow all participants a chance to speak. Listen respectfully and actively. Commit to learning about each other, not to debating the topic. Embrace differences of opinion as healthy and support each person’s authentic self-expression. Participants will be muted for the beginning portion of the session. Participants may use the “Raise Hand” feature in Zoom to request an opportunity to comment or ask a question. Individuals will be temporarily unmuted by the moderator. Participants may type a comment or question in the Chat or may send comments or questions directly to the moderator for them to share. To receive PQAS credit, you must complete an evaluation at the end of the session and include your PD Registry number. Have fun, make connections, and engage in the conversations! More Information For questions or more information, contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org.
