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December 9, 2019

STARS 101 & 102

STARS 101 & 102 is a web-based course that meets the requirement for STAR 2 SQ.2.1 Part 1 and Part 2. It is an introduction to the idea of Continuous Quality Improvement which is the basic premise for the Keystone STARS Quality Rating System. In addition to the philosophy of CQI, the process of change and how to begin your journey through the Keystone STARS system will be discussed.

About

The following elements of assessing and building quality will be covered: Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies and Big Ideas Framework, Continuous Quality Improvement, PA Early Learning Standards, and Caring for Our Children Basics (CFOCB) as a resource and supporting interactions with children and families.

This is a live, interactive webinar. PQAS hours offered. Participants are expected to fully participate; this is not a log-in and leave event. Arriving 15 minutes late may result in no credit for the session. Please note, no refunds will be provided for cancellation or no show.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

- identify the benefits of continuous quality improvement through Keystone STARS, for children families and programs;
- identify what determines STAR Designation;
- describe Program Observation Instruments (POI) used for STARS designation;
- identify and implement the Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies/Big Ideas Framework;
- identify and implement PA Early Learning Standards;
- identify and implement Caring for our Children Basics practices;
- identify and implement assessment tools that support program quality; and
- identify and implement interactions with children and families.

Available Dates

- December 16, 2019 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 306488
- January 20, 2020 | 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Event ID: 308100
- February 3, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 308101
- March 16, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 308102
- April 30, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 308103
- May 27, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 308106
- June 29, 2020 | 6 – 10 p.m. | Event ID: 308107

To register and learn more, visit the PD Registry website.

More Information

For questions, please contact Karen Rucker at 717.314.8368 or krucker@respectingchildren.com.

*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key

News

STARS 101 & 102

About

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

- identify the benefits of continuous quality improvement through Keystone STARS, for children families and programs;
- identify what determines STAR Designation;
- describe Program Observation Instruments (POI) used for STARS designation;
- identify and implement the Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies/Big Ideas Framework;
- identify and implement PA Early Learning Standards;
- identify and implement Caring for our Children Basics practices;
- identify and implement assessment tools that support program quality; and
- identify and implement interactions with children and families.

Available Dates

To access this course, use the links below or enter the event ID on the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.

More Information

For questions, please contact Karen Rucker at 717.314.8368 or krucker@respectingchildren.com.

*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key

News

STARS 101 & 102

About

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

- identify the benefits of continuous quality improvement through Keystone STARS, for children families and programs;
- identify what determines STAR Designation;
- describe Program Observation Instruments (POI) used for STARS designation;
- identify and implement the Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies/Big Ideas Framework;
- identify and implement PA Early Learning Standards;
- identify and implement Caring for our Children Basics practices;
- identify and implement assessment tools that support program quality; and
- identify and implement interactions with children and families.

Available Dates

To access this course, use the links below or enter the event ID on the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.

More Information

For questions, please contact Karen Rucker at 717.314.8368 or krucker@respectingchildren.com.

*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key

News

Environment Rating Scale (ERS) 101

This 2-hour seminar is part of the Keystone STARS Core training series an is a pre-requisite for the ITERS-R, ECERS-R, or SACERS seminars. Participants will learn how the Environment Rating Scale (ERS) measures quality; how the ERS scales are used in PA; and how to accurately score the ERS. Upon completion of this seminar, participants will be properly prepared for the specific scale PD seminars: 201 ITERS-R; 202 ECERS-R; 203 SACERS.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

- describe the purpose and intent of the ERS;
- identify how the scales measure quality;
- identify how to use the scales to conduct a self-assessment; and
- prepare participants for specific ERS professional development.

This session was developed by the PA Key Program Quality Assessment team and includes content used with the permission of the ERS authors. The session is facilitated by a PA Key Program Quality Assessor reliable in the ERS instruments. If you have taken an ITERS-R, ECERS-R, and/or a SACERS prior to July 2007, this course is not required. PQAS hours provided.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.

PD Registry Event ID: 309219

More Information

For questions, contact Michelle Long at miclon@pakeys.org.

*Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key

News

December 7, 2019

PA DHS Releases 2019-2022 Strategic Plan

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) released its 2019-2022 Strategic Plan outlining methods to assist Pennsylvanians in achieving “safe, healthy, and productive lives while being an accountable steward of commonwealth resources.”

About

In an opening message from PA DHS Secretary Teresa Miller, Miller highlights the core values and mission of PA DHS, stating:

“We strive every day to make sure…that every Pennsylvanian can be secure in the knowledge that they have somewhere to turn on that nearly inevitable day when they find themselves or a friend or family member struggling, perhaps with a physical or intellectual disability, addiction, cancer, abuse, mental illness, or any number of circumstances. DHS exists to protect and advocate for some of our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and we are steadfastly committed to that work.”

With this, the plan highlights DHS’ Strategic Priorities to continue improving and streamlining its programs to fulfill its mission to “assist Pennsylvanians in achieving safe, healthy, and productive lives” and protect Pennsylvanians under the care of licensed providers.

DHS Strategic Priorities

The PA DHS Strategic Plan priorities include:

- providing every child with a strong foundation for physical and behavioral well-being;
- bending the health cost curve;
- enhancing access to health care and services that help Pennsylvanians lead healthy, productive lives;
- promoting accountable and transparent government.

More Information

For more information on DHS’ 2019-2022 Priorities, read the full Strategic Plan. To learn more about Trying Together, visit our Home page.

News

December 6, 2019

$20M in PAsmart Grants Available to Advance STEM and CS Education

On November 25, 2019, Governor Tom Wolf announced that “up to $20 million in PAsmart grants are available to prepare students for the fast-growing fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and computer science (CS).”

About

Governor Tom Wolf has secured $40 million dollars to reinforce his PAsmart initiative, an increase of $10 million from 2018 investments. With this, “the Department of Education will award $20 million for STEM and computer science education through PAsmart Targeted pre-k–12 grants and Advancing grants. The Department of Labor and Industry will soon announce applications for $10 million for apprenticeships and industry partnerships. Funding for career and technical education also increased by $10 million.”

Discussing this initiative, Governor Wolf said that “PAsmart is strategically investing in science and technology education so students get the skills they need for emerging jobs in high demand. The grants encourage businesses and schools to develop partnerships that focus education on the knowledge students will need to succeed in growing industries. Through PAsmart, we are developing the most prepared and talented workforce in the country, which will help students excel, grow the middle class, and strengthen the economy for everyone.”

Grant Details

PAsmart Targeted Pre-k–12 Grants

The initiative will be issuing PAsmart Targeted pre-k–12 grants of up to $35,000 each with the intention to “meet the needs of local education agencies and their schools that have limited to no computer science offerings and did not receive targeted grants in 2018-19.” By receiving these grants, schools have the opportunity to “introduce and expand computer science programming and to provide educators from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 with training and professional development to teach CS.” With this, the grants will provide “greater opportunities for students of color, low-income students, and girls to learn critical skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce.”

PAsmart Advancing Grants

A larger PAsmart Advancing grant of up to $500,000 each will also be available, with the intention to “support cross-sector partnerships that provide quality STEM and CS experiences to learners of all ages – early childhood, pre-k–12, post-secondary, and adult learners – as part of high-level strategic approaches to workforce readiness.”

Application Deadlines

- PAsmart Targeted Pre-k–12 Grant: Friday, December 20, 2019
- PAsmart Advancing Grant: Friday, January 10, 2020

Grant applications and additional information can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) website.

More Information

For more information, read the full press release.

*Information provided by the Office of Governor Tom Wolf

News

November 18, 2019

2019 Market Rate Survey and YOU | Webinar

Every three years, states update information regarding the prices child care providers charge families. Join the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) on December 4 for “2019 Market Rate Survey and YOU,” a webinar that will explain the importance of the Survey and how to enter current program information in PELICAN Provider Self-Service.

About

In this webinar, staff from the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) will talk about the importance of the 2019 Market Rate Survey and explain how to access Provider Self-Service, what providers will see when they login to their program, and how to ensure that current information from your program is reflected as OCDEL looks at Child Care Works reimbursement rates.

With this, OCDEL invites all Pennsylvania certified child care providers to participate in the 2019 Market Rate Survey now through December 30, 2019. The easiest way to share this information is to ensure your prices are correct in the online Provider Self-Service Portal. Updated information from child care providers will provide more accurate information to determine child care prices in Pennsylvania and will provide OCDEL with important data to compare private pay prices with the Child Care Works reimbursements known as base rates.

Registration

Attendees must register by 12:00 p.m. on December 4, 2019. To register, visit the event webpage.

More Information

For questions, contact Maureen Murphy at 717.657.9000, x 107.

*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA)

News

November 15, 2019

Pennsylvania Expands Home Visiting Support

In October 2019, the Wolf Administration announced that, under the guidance of the Department of Human Services (DHS), it is expanding home visiting supports to first-time mothers and mothers of children with special needs covered by Medicaid. The expansion, made possible in collaboration with physical health Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs), will guarantee at least two home visits to new parents and families with children with additional risk factors across Pennsylvania, expanding access to evidence-based models that promote and support healthy child and family development.

About

Since 2015, investments totaling nearly $16.5 million in state funds have helped increase the number of children and families who can receive home visiting supports in communities around Pennsylvania. Guaranteeing a minimum of two home visits to all first-time mothers and mothers of children with special needs through Medicaid continues this work.

“Being a parent can be a challenge for anyone,” said Secretary Miller. “Because children don’t come with an instruction manual, home visiting programs create support systems for families to learn to better understand children’s needs, monitor milestones, and identify other opportunities for support that can continue to facilitate healthy long-term growth.”

The home visiting expansion is effective January 1, 2020 through the MCOs’ 2020 agreement. Under the new agreements, MCOs will be required to establish an evidence-based, standardized maternal, infant, and early childhood home visitation program for all first-time parents and parents of infants with additional risk factors. All parents and children identified through this effort will receive at least two home visits at no cost, and depending on need, may be referred to other established home visiting programs to continue these services. DHS expects that these programs will be in place with eligible new parents receiving home visiting services by July 1, 2020.

“There is no more important focus of my administration than giving all children and families a strong start,” Gov. Wolf said. “By expanding access to evidence-based home visiting programs, we will put more kids, parents, and families on a path to a healthy, happy future.”

What is Home Visiting?

Evidence-based home visiting family support programs have a family-centered focus and strength-based approach that works with both the child and parent. A home visitor can help parents gain the skills and connect to resources necessary to improve their family’s health, safety, economic security, and success in early childhood education.

Studies of various nurse-family partnership programs have shown positive impacts for the mother and baby during pregnancy and after birth, such as a decrease in domestic violence and smoking during pregnancy, a significant decrease in pre-term births, and a majority of babies being born at a healthy weight. Home visiting can also improve parents’ child development knowledge and skills, help develop social support systems, and improve access to education, health, and community services.

Examples of services include:

- monthly parent meetings;
- regularly scheduled home visits with trained family development specialists; and
- routine screenings to identify post-partum depression and detect potential problems with vision, hearing, growth, and learning age-based milestones.

What You Can Do

While there have been increased investments in home visiting, only 15,900 children are estimated to be served in the current state fiscal year. That’s only five percent of the children who would benefit from these services the most. Join the statewide campaign Childhood Begins at Home in advocating to maintain and build on state investments in evidence-based home visiting.

More Information

For more information, read the full release.

*Information provided by the Governor Tom Wolf Administration

News

November 13, 2019

Investments in Early Childhood Support Workforce Readiness

On November 12, 2019, Governor Tom Wolf joined Pennsylvania’s Adjutant General Major General Anthony Carrelli and retired generals and admirals from Mission: Readiness to release the nonprofit organization’s workforce readiness report. The report outlines how competition for qualified individuals among all employment sectors affects military recruiting efforts and warrants greater investment in our next generation.

About

In their report, Mission: Readiness identifies research-based solutions to improve the health and education of young adults with the goal of making them more likely to successfully contribute to America’s workforce, including military service if they so choose. With this, they document wins for Pennsylvanians that Mission: Readiness supported in the areas of early childhood education; equitable and adequate K-12 education funding; and youth fitness and nutrition.

Retired Air Force Lieutenant General Ralph Jodice spoke out on the importance of early childhood, stating, “Research is clear that brain development from birth to age five sets the foundation for children’s future success. High-quality child care and early education programs like pre-k set the stage for readiness by improving children’s cognitive ability, health, and behavior throughout life.

Governor Wolf spoke on his support of early childhood investments, stating that he is “committed to making investments in education at all ages to help ensure we provide Pennsylvanians with the skills needed for every open job,” including open positions with Pennsylvania National Guard and all branches of the military. Building on this statement, Governor Wolf said that “we owe it to the men and women currently serving in the Pennsylvania National Guard and all branches of the military to give them the best possible future troops. That means ensuring we’re providing the best education possible to potential enlistees, starting at the earliest ages, when children learn quickly and eagerly.”

What You Can Do

Every child deserves an equal opportunity to a quality educational foundation that will prepare them to grow, learn, and succeed. That’s why Trying Together participates in multiple advocacy campaigns, including Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA. Will you join us?

- Join Pre-K for PA and advocate for high-quality pre-k access for every 3- and 4-year old in Pennsylvania.
- Join Start Strong PA and advocate for all young children in Pennsylvania to have access to high-quality child care programs that their families can afford.

Visit our Take Action page to learn more!

More Information

For access to the video and full press release, visit the PAcast website.

News

November 11, 2019

PD Registry & Career Pathway | Director Webinar

Join Pennsylvania (PA) PD Registry and Career Pathway staff at the Pennsylvania Key on December 4 for their webinar, “PD Registry and Career Pathway Information for Directors.”

About

This webinar seeks to support program directors in their effort to help their staff use PA’s PD Registry and understand the ECE Career Pathway. Featured topics include completing a PD Registry profile, uploading education documents, and submitting information to be placed on the Career Pathway. More information on Pennsylvania’s Quality Initiatives for the Early Childhood Education workforce will be provided.

Registration

To learn more and register, visit the event webpage.

More Information

For questions, call 1.800.284.6031 or email registry@pakeys.org.