August 20, 2024 Pennsylvania to Discontinue PA Position Statements for Environment Rating Scales As of Aug. 1, the state has discontinued the use of PA Position Statements for the Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) and School-Age Environment Rating Scale (SACERS). Learn More The sunsetting of the scales was part of an effort to simplify guidance and strengthen consistent use of program observation instruments for continuous quality improvement. Programs may continue to use ERS, third editions, and SACERS-U as a quality assessment tool without the position statements. State Department of Human Services regulations are the foundation of all quality work and compliance is required for all certified programs. If variance occurs between ERS quality expectations and PA DHS Certification regulations, programs must ensure that regulations are met. Programs utilizing the most updated ERS or SACERS are encouraged to review PA DHS Certification regulations around the following to ensure compliance with regulations: Use of hand sanitizer Handling of soiled diapers Placement of nap equipment Mandated Reporter training and policies First Aid training ERS and SACERS ERS focuses on the typical daily experiences of children in early childhood and school-age settings. The assessment considers how teacher engagement, the spaces and equipment used by the children, accessible play materials, and children’s activities combine to enhance learning. It includes a variety of factors, including indoor and outdoor space and furnishings as well as supports for parents and staff, and personal care routines, including health and safety practices. SACERS is a tool used to evaluate group-care programs for children, ages 5 to 12. It consists of 49 items that are organized into seven subscales. Items include everything from space and furnishings to health and safety. More information on Program Quality Assessment can be found on The Pennsylvania Key website.
March 21, 2024 The Learning Lamp Offers Free Lesson Plans For Summer The Learning Lamp, a Pennsylvania nonprofit organization that offers child care, preschool, and school-age programs, is offering free, ready-made lesson plans for preschool and school-age summer camps, after-school activities, and days when school is out. About The Lesson Plans The Best Day Ever! lesson plans include a daily schedule and numerous hands-on activities that can act as a turnkey solution for understaffed, under-resourced out-of-school-time providers. All lesson plans were designed by teachers and are aligned with Pennsylvania learning standards. The plans can be adapted to meet the needs and interests of individual students. Register For Lesson Plans The resources are now available. Educators must register with the Learning Lamp to get access to the free summer lesson plans. For more information on Best Day Ever!, visit the Learning Lamp website.
March 20, 2024 Trying Together Receives Rapid Response Team Grant Trying Together was one of 18 early childhood organizations to receive state mini-grants for $200,000 in November. Learn More The Pennsylvania Key, on behalf of the state’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), awarded the Rapid Response Team grants to begin a six-month planning with six months implementation or a one-year grant implementation starting in January. The grant will support an approach that has emerged in several Pennsylvania communities to provide a Rapid Response Team to support a child, family, and educator when a child is at risk of being suspended or expelled. Trying Together will use the OCDEL grant to expand the services currently provided by the existing Rapid Response Team in Allegheny County. Funding from the grant will be used to hire additional staff to respond within 24 hours of a referral; to provide program- and classroom-wide support such as mentoring and coaching, technical assistance, and professional development; and to increase the number of functional behavior assessments based on the needs of the child. ELRC Region 5’s Rapid Response Team will continue to refer families and educators to additional services such as Early Intervention and Infant Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH). Early Learning Connections in Butler received the grant in ELRC Region 3 and Engage Kidz LLC in Murrysville received the grant in ELRC Region 4. About Rapid Response Rapid Response Teams enhance the system of support available within the state’s early childhood system. The teams include behavioral health professionals, Early Intervention professionals and ELRC staff. The program is a piloted, short-term triaging support to enhance the early childhood system of support in each ELRC region in the state, which also include quality coaching, IECMH and School-Age Child Care, focused mental health consultation, Early Intervention services and supports, and home visiting. To learn more about Rapid Response Team implementation mini-grants, visit the PA Keys website.
Introduction To ASQ-3 In “Introduction to ASQ-3,” participants will learn how to use the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®–3) as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years. The session provides information on why a developmental screening tool is administered in early childhood programs, how to administer and score the screener, strategies for sharing results with families of diverse backgrounds, and supporting resources for making referrals to additional services if needed. Session Details Saturday, April 6 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Tuesday, April 30 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Tuesday, May 21 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Wednesday, June 5 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Questions? For questions about the course or credit, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.
Introduction To ASQ-3 In “Introduction to ASQ-3,” participants will learn how to use the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®–3) as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years. The session provides information on why a developmental screening tool is administered in early childhood programs, how to administer and score the screener, strategies for sharing results with families of diverse backgrounds, and supporting resources for making referrals to additional services if needed. Session Details Saturday, April 6 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Tuesday, April 30 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Tuesday, May 21 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Wednesday, June 5 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Questions? For questions about the course or credit, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.
Introduction To ASQ-3 In “Introduction to ASQ-3,” participants will learn how to use the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®–3) as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years. The session provides information on why a developmental screening tool is administered in early childhood programs, how to administer and score the screener, strategies for sharing results with families of diverse backgrounds, and supporting resources for making referrals to additional services if needed. Session Details Saturday, April 6 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Tuesday, April 30 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Tuesday, May 21 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Wednesday, June 5 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Questions? For questions about the course or credit, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.
Introduction To ASQ-3 In “Introduction to ASQ-3,” participants will learn how to use the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®–3) as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years. The session provides information on why a developmental screening tool is administered in early childhood programs, how to administer and score the screener, strategies for sharing results with families of diverse backgrounds, and supporting resources for making referrals to additional services if needed. Session Details Saturday, April 6 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Tuesday, April 30 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Tuesday, May 21 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Wednesday, June 5 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Location: Virtual Cost: $15 Register Questions? For questions about the course or credit, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.
March 19, 2024 Apply for the Educators’ Neighborhood 2024-2025 Cohort Early childhood educators and leaders are invited to apply for the Educators’ Neighborhood 2024-2025 cohort, where they will take part in a year-long program to learn how to apply Fred Rogers’ work and theory to their work with children. An initiative of the Fred Rogers Institute, Educators’ Neighborhood is a community of educators – defined broadly to include any adult who directly serves children, youth, families, or other educators – from around the world who learn together, for the most part through virtual meetings, and are inspired by the work of Fred Rogers. Who Should Apply Educators in early childhood education programs, family child care, preschool, or early intervention Directors of early childhood education programs, family child care, preschool, or early intervention K-12 teachers, guidance counselors, reading specialists, or school librarians Principals or superintendents at K-12 schools Educators or directors at programs that serve children or youth outside of school such as staff at a library, museum, after school or summer program, religious organization, or environmental educationhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ENapplication2024 Educators serving adults who work with children, youth, or families (for example, higher education, professional development, quality improvement, or families) Home-based educators Fees and Scholarships The cost to participate for those selected is $595, which includes 30 hours of learning as well as lifetime access to the Educators’ Neighborhood community and access to alumni opportunities. Full and partial scholarships are available, and can be completed in the Educators’ Neighborhood application. This year’s scholarships include ones for: Educators and helpers who serve children through music, art, or reading education Educators in Greene, Fayette, or Westmoreland counties. Professionals from informal learning environments such as libraries and museums Educators’ Neighborhood participants in any context or location who are eligible for the needs-based General EN scholarship All participants will receive a certificate of participation at the end of the cohort year. Pennsylvania educators can receive ACT 48 credits for participation, while educators outside of Pennsylvania who are interested in transferring credits can receive additional documentation of completed learning hours. Application Details Apply online by May 3 at 5 p.m. For more information, check out the Educators’ Neighborhood Information Guidebook. To ask questions, email educators.neighborhood@stvincent.edu.
July 12, 2023 State Departments Extend Insurance Survey Deadline, Add Spanish Option The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) have extended the deadline for child care providers to complete their survey on health insurance in the child care industry. Entitled, “Child Care Liability Insurance Survey,” the questionnaire is aimed at improving state understanding of the insurance market, and will now close on Friday, August 4. (Trying Together updated this article on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 to reflect the extended deadline and addition of the Spanish survey option). About the Child Care Liability Insurance Survey PID and DHS have become aware of difficulties child care providers now face in securing health insurance for themselves and their employees, given the rising cost of care. Though PID previously sent out a similar survey, the limited response inhibited the department’s ability to fully understand the scope of the insurance market. Because of this, they have partnered with DHS to release the Child Care Liability Insurance Survey. This survey will help PID and DHS understand availability and affordability of insurance and assist in determining next steps. Responses are confidential. Also, DIP and DHS will only share general, aggregated results. Access and Take the Survey Utilize the links below to access and take the survey: Child Care Liability Insurance Survey (English) Child Care Liability Insurance Survey (Spanish) The survey closes on Friday, August 4. Please complete the survey on or before that date. Learn More To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key website. Please contact Caolinn Martin at caolmartin@pa.gov or Jameekia Barnett at jamebarnet@pa.gov with questions.
July 7, 2023 PA DHS Accepting Applications for Children’s Trust Fund Grants The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is accepting applications for the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) grants to promote primary and secondary child abuse and neglect prevention programs in community-based settings in order to address child and family well-being and prevent abuse and neglect of children in the Commonwealth. The maximum CTF grant award is $50,000 per year. About the Children’s Trust Fund Grants The mission of the Pennsylvania Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) is to prevent child abuse and neglect in Pennsylvania. To do this, the CTF Board of Directors funds community-based primary and secondary prevention programs that support families. The CTF was established in December 1988 by Act 1988-151. It operates under the administration of the CTF Board and is supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), a dual deputate of the Department of Human Services (DHS) the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Funds for the CTF are generated from a $10 surcharge on all applications for marriage licenses and divorce complaints. These surcharges are paid into a special non-lapsing fund. Interest, donations and federal funds also contribute to the CTF. The CTF is dedicated to funding community-based programs to prevent child abuse and neglect. Since its inception, the CTF has invested more than $37 million through 295 grants. See the list of current grantees. The CTF also supports the work of the Pennsylvania Strengthening Families Leadership Team. How to Apply Application details and forms are available at the eMarketPlace website. Each Applicant must submit one complete copy of the Submittal via email to ra-pwrfaquestions@pa.gov. The subject line of the email must indicate “RFA 13-23 Application”. Applications are due by 10 a.m. on July 31, 2023. Please refer to the eMarketplace listing for any changes regarding the deadline. Organizations can view the bid online. Awarded contracts are posted to eMarketplace after they become fully executed. Questions? If you have a question, send an email to Robin Lease at RAPWRFAQUESTIONS@PA.GOV. All emails should include the subject line “RFA #13-23 Question” and must be submitted by July 14, 2023 at 10 a.m. Written answers will be posted on the eMarketPlace website on July 21, 2023.
