April 8, 2024 Educators to Celebrate Family Child Care Awareness Day in Harrisburg The Family Child Care Advisory Council, with support from PennAEYC and First Up, is inviting home-based educators from around the state to gather in Harrisburg on April 30 to celebrate Family Child Care Awareness Day. The event will recognize the impact of home-based child care programs. Learn More Family Child Care Awareness Day will include a visibility event, which will give attendees an opportunity to showcase to legislators and the public what it means to be a home-based child care educator. Participants can showcase their programs through a variety of means. Some options include creating the following: A trifold poster highlighting the learning that occurs in their program A poster recognizing the families the home-based program serves that includes their testimonies about their experiences A cardboard cutout displaying the quote: “Of course, I’m a home-based child care educator…” More Details Family Child Care Awareness Day will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 30 at the state capitol, located at 501 N. 3rd Street in Harrisburg. Those interested in participating should contact Trying Together’s policy team at elizabeth@tryingtogether.org. Also, registration is now open for an April 23 training in connection with Family Child Care Awareness Day. For those who cannot attend the April 30 event, Trying Together is leading capitol caravans from Pittsburgh on May 7, May 22, June 4, and June 25.
March 22, 2024 Voice Of ECE Childcare Liability Insurance Survey The Voice of ECE is inviting child care providers to share their insights by participating in its Childcare Liability Insurance Survey. The survey was created by and for early childhood business owners. Learn More The survey’s objective is to gain a comprehensive understanding of child care business owners’ experiences with liability insurance carriers. The Voice of ECE is interested in gathering information on changes in premiums, coverage issues, or policy cancellations/non-renewals. Feedback gathered during the survey will play a crucial role in identifying areas for improvement and help to ensure that child care facilities are adequately protected. Challenges and concerns shared during the survey will help to better serve and maintain child care facility operations. All content will be utilized only for internal data collection purposes and will be treated as confidential. The Voice of ECE’s partners in the survey include Trying Together as well as Children First, First Up, Latinos Educando Juntos, the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA), and the Pennsylvania Association of the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC). How To Participate Providers who are interested in filling out the survey have until April 12 to do so. Two participants will be randomly chosen to win a $100 gift card from PennAEYC.
February 6, 2024 2024 VOICE for Children Award Celebration The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children recognizes the critical role advocacy plays in high-quality early learning settings and celebrates those who speak on behalf of Pennsylvania’s children. As the voice for early care and learning, community advocates are an invaluable component to assuring all Pennsylvania’s children get the start they deserve in school and life. ey is the only statewide award in Pennsylvania recognizing the grassroots leaders whose work impacts the quality of care for young children in diverse settings. The VOICE Award celebrates not only individual award recipients but also the early childhood profession. Event Details When: Friday, 04/05 | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Cocktail Reception with a selection of light appetizers and a cash beverage bar will be available 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | VOICE for Children Awards Dinner and Program Where: Hershey Lodge, 325 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 Event Costs: Early Bird: $150.00 per person – through 02/25 Standard Registration: $160.00 per person | 02/26 – 03/24 Registration: Register today! More Details Registration for this event closes on 03/24. For additional information, contact Rose Snyder at rsnyder@pennaeyc.org. To see lodging specials, visit the original email.
November 15, 2023 Nominations Open for the 2024 Voice for Children Award Do you know an outstanding early childhood professional who is using their voice to advocate for young children and families? Nominate them for the 2024 Voice for Children Award! Learn More The VOICE for Children Award is the only statewide award in Pennsylvania that recognizes early care and education professionals, who are not paid advocates, that go above and beyond their daily work in the field by being grassroots leaders through advocacy and public policy efforts. Nomination Criteria Nominees must: Display dispositions of a model early childhood advocate, including (but not exclusive to) serving as an expert witness, providing public testimony, appearing in media, serving on a board in a public policy capacity, receiving distinctive honors or awards for previous advocacy work, leading advocacy campaigns or actions, working with leaders and elected officials, and/or recognized as an early childhood leader in their community. Be a current member of PennAEYC to be considered. Nominate an Educator Nominations must be submitted no later than Friday, December 1, 2023. To submit a nomination, complete this nomination form and email it to Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Kimberly Early at kearly@pennaeyc.org. Please add “2024 VOICE Nomination” in your email subject line. Nomination Guidelines Nomination forms will be used to determine the winners of the VOICE for Children Award. Specific documentation (such as links to newspaper articles, titles, awards/honors) should be provided if known to substantiate a nominee’s advocacy efforts. PennAEYC staff will review each nomination based on the information provided. It is important that the nomination form is fully completed and all necessary information is included. There is a 500-word maximum to your response to why you believe your nominee should be selected as a recipient of the 2024 PennAEYC VOICE for Children Award. Including a biography of the nominee is encouraged, but not required. Membership with PennAEYC is not required for the person nominating or endorsing a nominee. To learn more, visit the PennAEYC website.
June 26, 2023 Trying Together Shares Advocacy Tools for Families and Child Care Providers Trying Together has created two new advocacy tools to aid families and child care providers in their efforts to impact state budget negotiations and persuade state legislators to directly invest in the workforce behind the workforce by raising child care wages. Trying Together Advocacy Tools Simple, everyday advocacy efforts often start with quick, common interactions between providers, educators, families, and legislators. Calling your state representative or emailing with waitlisted families are great ways to communicate challenges facing the child care industry and advocate for change. Phone and email scripts can assist on these occasions. For Providers & Families: Phone Scripts for Calls to State Representatives & Legislators For Providers: Email Response to Waitlisted Families Take Action with PennAEYC Tell your legislators how important child care is to you and take action in seconds. The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) has constructed a tool that allows you to send an email to your legislators stressing the importance of child care with a single click. Take action now. Additional Advocacy Tools The Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA campaigns, of which Trying Together is a partner, have also compiled advocacy tools for family and provider use. Some of these include: State Fact Sheet: Pre-K in Pennsylvania County Fact Sheets: Pre-K in Pennsylvania County Fact Sheets: Child Care in Pennsylvania Pre-K and Child Care Maps: High-Quality Child Care in Pennsylvania EI Fact Sheet: Infant and Toddler Early Intervention in Pennsylvania Learn More To learn more, visit the Trying Together “Take Action” page.
March 9, 2023 PennAEYC Names Linda D. Grinage as 2023 VOICE for Children Award Honoree The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) recently named Linda D. Grinage, a Pittsburgh-based child care provider and advocate, as one of two 2023 VOICE for Children Award Honorees. Grinage shares the honor with Dr. Jean Allison, an Associate Professor of Early Childhood at Delaware County Community College. Both women will be recognized at the Annual VOICE For Children Award Celebration on March 31. Learn More Linda Grinage is the founder and Chief Servant Operator (CSO) of of Blessed Assurance Christian Childcare & Early Learning Center, LLC., and a dedicated, Pittsburgh-based child care provider with over 20 years of experience in the industry. In addition to leading Blessed Assurance Christian Childcare, Grinage serves as an active member of the Woodland Hills School District Kindergarten Transition Team and collaborates with other early childhood practitioners to establish kindergarten transition processes and agreements with the district’s schools. Additionally, she serves as a community advocate through ELRC Region 5’s quality partner, Trying Together. In the past, Grinage served as a Keystone STARS Mentor, and remains affiliated with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), PennAEYC, Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA), and National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). Grinage earned her bachelor’s degree in Child Development & Family Relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and holds both a Pennsylvania State Teaching Certificate in Nursery and Kindergarten, as well as a Pennsylvania Director’s Credential. Her commitment to providing quality care and education to children, combined with her compassionate and nurturing approach to child care, have made her a beloved and respected pillar of the community. Read Grinage’s full biography to learn more. More Information To learn more about Grinage’s recognition as a VOICE for Children Award Honoree or the PennAEYC VOICE awards, visit the PennAEYC website.
February 16, 2022 2022 Voice for Children Celebration The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children recognizes the critical role advocacy plays in high quality early learning settings and celebrates those who speak on behalf of Pennsylvania’s children. As the voice for early care and learning, community advocates are an invaluable component to assuring all Pennsylvania’s children get the start they deserve in school and life. The VOICE for Children Award is the only statewide award in Pennsylvania recognizing the grassroots leaders whose work impacts the quality of care for young children in diverse settings. Now in its eleventh year, the VOICE Award celebrates not only individual award recipients, but the early childhood profession. Register via the PennAEYC website. Registration closes on March 23, 2022. Location Hershey Resort and Lodge 325 University Drive Hershey, PA 17033 Award Recipients VOICE for Children Recipients Doris Keith Clark | Owner, Director, Doris Keith Clark Child Care Center Christina Saunders, Ed. D. Candidate | Center Director, Crayons Clubhouse II Minnette Taylor M. Ed. | Owner, G & T Daycare Montessori Program; Founder & CEO, Mini Montessori Academy VOICE for Children Distinguished Career Recipients Pamela Haines | First Up Public Policy Consultant Karen L Nemeth | Senior Training/Technical Assistance Specialist-DLL, Zero to Three Additional Information For additional information on this event, contact Rose Snyder at rsnyder@pennaeyc.org
December 8, 2021 Loving Places and Learning Spaces for Infants and Toddlers Join PennAEYC and The Learning Lamp for their upcoming webinar, “Loving Places and Learning Spaces for Infants and Toddlers” on December 15. What makes up high-quality infant and toddler care? Learn the importance of attachment and relationships in learning and development, examine aspects of the ITERS and PA Early Learning Standards, and share ideas that support healthy infant and toddler development. This session is open to PennAEYC or Shared Services members. Space is limited and registration is required. Register for all 12 monthly sessions before December 22, 2021 for an early bird discount.
Pennie and PennAEYC Individual Health Care Options Webinar PennAEYC will host the team at Pennie to present information about affordable, individual health care options in the open insurance market place for the commonwealth. This is an opportunity for Pennsylvania’s early learning providers and others looking for affordable health care options. On Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. we will offer an informational webinar about insurance coverage options on the open marketplace. Access the webinar online at the designated time. This webinar will be recorded for those who are unable to attend. It will be available following the webinar on the PennAEYC website. About Pennie Pennie is the official health insurance marketplace in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania established under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The exchange enables eligible individuals to purchase private health insurance coverage at federally subsidized rates. Visit the Pennie website today to learn more about your individual health care coverage. Open enrollment runs from November 1, 2021 until January 15, 2022.
October 6, 2021 Advocacy Basics for Home Based Providers Support for early care and education has increased, yet everyone must do their part to help legislators and community members understand why it is so important to children, their families and their communities. This upcoming webinar from PennAEYC will provide the tools needed to talk to legislators, business leaders, and civic leaders about how vital home-based care is to your community. This session will show you the basics of advocacy and where to find more resources to build momentum and engage the families you serve in the process. Registration Individuals may register via Zoom for one of two sessions. November 10, 2021 | 6 – 7 p.m. November 17, 2021 | 6 – 7 p.m.
