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. Learn More 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.
July 1, 2024 Updated Keystone STARS Bonus Points Tip Sheets Now Available The Keystone STARS policy team has recently worked with partner agencies to update its Bonus Points Tip Sheets. Learn More The updated tip sheets are now LIVE on the Pennsylvania Key’s Keystone STARS Resources webpage where there are links to the Bonus Point quality initiatives. Significant updates were made to the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) tip sheets. PBIS is a framework for supporting social emotional development and addressing challenging behaviors in early childhood. It supports administrative teams to use implementation science and practical strategies to support staff and families. Minor updates were made to the other tip sheets including: PA Eco Healthy Child Care; Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC Program); Farm to Early Care and Education; Child and Adult Care Food Program; and After School Quality. Those with questions about the updates to the tip sheets should contact their ELRC quality coach.
April 15, 2024 School-Age Mental Health Consultation Accepting Appointments The Pennsylvania Key Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) program is now offering a new service to help school-age children as well as their teachers and families with mental health counseling. Learn More School Age Child Care (SACC) Mental Health Consultation is aimed at assisting Keystone STARS programs looking for support with children who are struggling with behavior, attachment, peer relationships, or emotion regulation. It also assists teachers and families of students with self-care, stress, and coping. SACC Mental Health Consultation is now accepting consultation appointments across the state. Mental health consultants are available by telephone or video conference appointments. The consultation is a problem-solving and collaborative approach to develop goals and strategies for: Child social-emotional concerns Child behavioral or developmental concerns Emotional well-being of teachers and caregivers Partnering with families Services are available to child care professionals – such as teachers, directors, and staff in center, group-based child care programs – participating in Keystone STARS school-age child care programs. How to Request an Appointment Appointments are conducted on Tuesdays with the option to schedule follow-up appointments based on individual needs. Those interested in scheduling an appointment with a SACC mental health consultant can register online. Those who register will receive an email confirmation with appointment information and a Zoom link invitation for the video appointment if they chose a virtual option. Registration will be accepted until the day before a consultation date.
November 2, 2022 Call for Presenters for 2023 Annual PA Pre-K Counts and Head Start Meeting The Pennsylvania Key in support of Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is calling for presenters for its annual Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Grantee Meeting. The meeting will be held March 8 – 9, 2023 at the Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Poconos, PA. This event is in-person; however, a web-based option will be offered should health/safety restrictions prohibit attendance at the in-person event. Those interested are asked to submit a proposal that aligns with the theme, Building Bridges that Support Growth, Development and Connections. Attendees will be able to earn professional development credits including Act 48 and PA ECE Registry hours. The deadline to submit your proposal is Friday, November 18, 2022. Presentation Topics Presentation topics should align with the following topics/areas of interest. Topics for Teachers: Project Approach MyTeachstone Peer Learning Circles Creative Curriculum LearnERS Authentic Assessment Trauma Informed Care Developmental Appropriateness Transitions and Parent Engagement Inclusive Practices Purposeful Play and Conversations Child Data, Outcomes and Implementation Topics for Administrators: Fiscal Responsibilities Homelessness Unique Collaborations/Community Partnerships Business Practices – What’s the Purple Cow? Inclusive Policies Recruitment, Retention and Teacher Support Developmental Appropriateness – What to look for in Pre-K classrooms Community Needs Assessment & Enrollment Practices Presenters will be notified of acceptance, including additional details about the event, by no later than Friday, December 16, 2022. For questions or more information, contact a team member at conferencehelp@pakeys.org. For more information and to access the online proposal submission form, visit the PA Key website.
June 20, 2022 2022 Keystone STARS Program Manual Available The new 2022 Keystone STARS Program Manual is now available on the Pennsylvania Key website. About the Keystone STARS Program Manual The program manual provides information on the updates and edits made to the 2022 Keystone STARS Performance Standards and includes: Information on the updated Internal Assessment Process (IAP) Expanded information on Professional Development (PD) including PD Registry requirements in Keystone STARS Updated Keystone STARS Bonus Point Tip Sheets Hyperlinks to the updated forms and templates for use in Keystone STARS The 2022 Keystone STARS Standards take effect on July 1, 2022. Access the 2022 Keystone STARS Standards and accompanying resource documents at the Pennsylvania Key website.
January 5, 2022 Bilingual Assistance Offered for ARPA Stabilization Grant Applications The Pennsylvania Key will host recurring office hours for Spanish speaking early childhood education providers interested in applying for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization grant. About All types of child care settings–center, group, and home-based–are invited to participate in this effort, geared to support Spanish speaking owners, directors and administrators. During the office hours, a bilingual (Spanish/English) representative will be available to translate on the call, as well as a Registry Specialist who can answer questions and provide demonstrations relating to the PA PD Registry and the ARPA Stabilization Grant. How to Participate The first series is Assistance with APRA Grant applications in the PD Registry. Registration is not needed to participate. Thursday, January 6, 2022, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 966 3255 8093 Thursday, January 20, 2022, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 981 6408 0605 The ARPA Stabilization Grant application will be available in the PD Registry until January 31, 2022. In February 2022, monthly office hours will continue to occur in Spanish to help with Career Pathway level processing, financial aid for the CDA, and additional topics that meet the need of the Spanish speaking early childhood professionals in Pennsylvania. Questions? For more information, please email Alejoh@pakeys.org (English) or Reblam@pakeys.org (Spanish).
July 31, 2020 New Process to Prevent Suspensions and Expulsions Effective August 1, a new process to request support for a child with unique needs or challenging behaviors to prevent suspension and/or expulsion from early learning programs is available for families and early learning professionals. How to Request Support To request assistance from the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), early learning professionals and families can complete a new online form entitled, “PA Key Expulsion/Suspension Support Request.” Circumstances for Alternative Support If a family has an established relationship with their local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC), the family or case provider can reach out directly to their ELRC to receive program support. If the child is already receiving Early Intervention (EI) Services, providers can reach out to the child’s local EI program to request assistance with parent permission. If the child has not previously been evaluated and the family and/or early learning provider believes the child may be eligible for EI Services, call the CONNECT Helpline at 1.800.692.7288. If the child has been evaluated and does not qualify for EI Services, request assistance from the local ELRC to receive appropriate supports. More Information For more information, view the Developing Suspension and Expulsion Policies document.
January 9, 2020 Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Maximum Benefit Increased For Fiscal Year 2019-20, the maximum benefit for the Rising STARS Tuition Assistance (RSTA) program has increased to $8,000 per individual. About Administered by The Pennsylvania Key, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)’s RSTA program helps cover a portion of tuition costs for Pennsylvania’s early childhood educators. Tuition costs net of other funding sources such as scholarships, stipends, discounts, or grants (except the Pell Grant) are used to determine the amount of assistance, with the Fiscal Year 2019-20 maximum benefit listed as $8,000. It is recommended completed applications be submitted at least four weeks prior to the start of the course, or prior to the tuition due date, whichever is first. More Information on Rising STARS Tuition Assistance For eligibility requirements, the application process, and more, visit the Pennsylvania Key website. *Information provided by PA Early Ed News For more information for professionals, visit Trying Together’s professional development page.
