November 10, 2020 Free COVID-19 Testing Available in McKeesport If you or someone you know needs to get tested for COVID-19, free testing is available in McKeesport for people ages three years old or older. This is a drive-through testing site that utilizes self-administered tests. Insurance is not required, however, you must have an appointment. About Allegheny County is offering free COVID-19 testing, for ages three and up, at 455 Industry Road in McKeesport. Testing is available by appointment only and will be completed as a self-administered test in each individual’s car. Masks are required. Those who are unable to drive to the site can contact the COVID-19 Hotline at 1.888.856.2774 or 2.1.1 for additional testing options and resources. For a demonstration of what to expect with self-administered testing, watch this video. If you know in advance that you will be unable to self-administer the test, contact the COVID-19 Hotline or 2.1.1 for other options to be tested. Make An Appointment Appointments can be scheduled online and by phone. To make a next-day appointment, please use the online registration site. Online appointments are accepted Sunday through Thursday for testing Monday through Friday. To make an appointment by phone, call 412.209.2262. This line is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday appointments can be scheduled on Friday over the phone. Same-day appointments may be made, when available, by phone. Location Closures This testing location will be closed on the following dates: Veterans Day (November 11, 2020) Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2020) Day After Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 2020) More Information To view additional testing locations and for answers to frequently asked questions, visit the Allegheny County website. Share this flyer with your network.
November 6, 2020 Diaper Bank at Hub & Family Center The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center is now a Diaper Bank location in Allegheny County. Diapers in sizes one to six and wipes are available to families in Homewood and surrounding communities. Each family can receive up to two packs of diapers every 60 days. Requesting Diapers and Wipes Due to COVID-19, families must schedule a time to pick up their diapers and wipes. To schedule a pickup time, please complete the request form. Once you have completed the form, a member of our staff will contact you to arrange a pickup. Please note that opened diapers and wipes may not be returned or exchanged. Pickups will be made at the new location for The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center: 7219 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Please contact Toni Beasley at 412.540.5732 or toni@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your networks. About the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center is one of 27 Family Centers located in neighborhoods around Allegheny County. The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center supports the early learning needs of young children, families, and early educators in the Homewood communities. More information can be found on The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center website.
November 5, 2020 Early Childhood Job Openings: 11/5 – 11/11 Are you looking to start or transition your career in the early childhood field? You’re in luck! Early learning programs in Pennsylvania are currently looking to fill positions. To view this week’s featured job descriptions, see the list below. Featured Jobs Lead Pre-K Teacher Hilltop Children’s Center is looking to hire a Pennsylvania-licensed early childhood educator for their pre-k classroom. This is a year-round position. Interested professionals must be nurturing, empathetic, and dependable. Excellent classroom management skills desired. To apply for this position, please contact lisazappa@hilltopccc.org or submit the online application. Teacher/Assistant Teacher Beulah Christian Preschool and Child Care is looking to hire an experienced, positive educator to successfully lead a team or to work with an established team in providing engaging, developmentally appropriate activities based on the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards within NAEYC high-quality criteria. Successful candidates should be comfortable with all ages and available for an eight-hour shift from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, year-round. To apply for this position, please email Tracy Belmonte at tbelmonte@beulahpresby.org. Young Toddler Teacher Helping Hands Childcare is looking to hire a passionate teacher to work with one- and two-year-old children. Applicants should have two or more years of experience working with children and/or an early childhood degree. Applicants must be able to work between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., and must have or be able to obtain clearances for working with children. This position will start in November. To apply for this position, call 724.695.9200 or email helpinghands001@verizon.net. Please ask for Lori or Melissa. Assistant Group Supervisor Stubblefield’s Childcare and Early Head Start is looking to hire an Assistant Group Supervisor to supervise children ages six months to 12-years-old. To apply for this position, please email stubblefielddaycare@yahoo.com. Metropolitan Preschool and Nursery Metropolitan Preschool and Nursery is looking to hire Group Supervisors and Assistant Group Supervisors to ensure that all children are actively supervised and that their individual needs are met. To apply for this position, contact Dawn Fowler at 412.281.8315 or info@pghchild.care. Early Learning Program Certification Representative The Allegheny County Department of Human Services is looking to hire an Early Learning Program Certification Representative to conduct inspections of child care facilities and assess compliance with regulations that are in place to ensure the health and safety of children in regulated child care settings. This is a full-time position. This professional must be willing to travel. To qualify, applicants must meet a Pennsylvania residency requirement and have at least two years of professional experience providing direct services to children and youth and a bachelor’s degree that includes 24 semester hours of college-level courses related to early childhood, or have an equivalent combination of professional experience and training. Before you apply, please read the full job description. If you qualify, please contact Abigail O’Shura at 717.772.2219 or aoshura@pa.gov to apply. Submit a Job Description Each week, Trying Together publishes a news post that features employer-submitted job positions from early learning programs across Pennsylvania. Trying Together shares these posts online through our website, social media channels, and newsletter. To make it into next week’s post, please submit the Child Care Provider Job Post Submission Form no later than Wednesday, November 11. This form is intended for positions in the early childhood field. Job descriptions not related to the early childhood field will not be included. All job descriptions submitted after November 11 will be published in the next week’s news post. Please note that news post publication dates may vary due to state and federal holidays. For questions, contact Lainey Yockey at lainey@tryingtogether.org. Search Additional Jobs Are you interested in starting or shifting your career in early childhood care and education? Visit the ECE Hire website or sign up for their weekly newsletter for current job listings and helpful tips on interviewing, resumes, and more. To stay up to date on our featured positions and more, follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter.
October 28, 2020 Listen to Black Women: What’s it like to be a Black Woman in Pittsburgh? Are you a Black woman in Pittsburgh who is interested in sharing your experiences with other Black women in Pittsburgh? Join the Black Women’s Policy Agenda on November 14 for “Listen to Black Women: What’s it like to be a Black Woman in Pittsburgh?” About Fixing Pittsburgh’s problems starts with listening to Black women! That’s why the Black Women’s Policy Agenda has launched a survey and is facilitating a series of community conversations where Black women share their experiences with other Black women. This event is designed to elevate the voices and experiences of Black women in Pittsburgh. It’s the first step to building collective power among Black women, advocating for the needs of Black women, and advancing policy to achieve racial and gender justice in this region. Take the Survey The Black Women’s Policy Agenda is conducting a survey to hear from 250 women in the Pittsburgh region to discover how they are dealing with the double crisis of COVID-19, anti-Black violence, and being a Black woman overall. To complete the survey, visit the Black Women’s Policy Agenda website. Registration To register, visit the event webpage. Participants will receive a $25 gift card. Share this flyer with your network.
October 21, 2020 Best Books for Babies Diaper Drop Are you interested in receiving free diapers and a bundle of books for babies ages birth to 18 months? Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank on Saturday, October 24 for the “Best Books for Babies Diaper Drop.” About At this drive-up event, families with babies ages birth to 18 months will receive one box of diapers and a Best Books for Babies 2020 book bundle. Families may drive up to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Woods Run Parking Lot by entering onto Minott Street from Central Avenue. Follow signs and staff directors through the line to receive a book bundle and one case of diapers between sizes zero and three. Each family may select up to two sizes of diapers, but event hosts ask that each car represent only one family. Registration Registration is not required to attend this event. However, please note that this event is drive-up only, while supplies last. Walk-up participants will not be able to receive the diapers and book bundle. More Information For questions, contact the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh at 412.622.3114 or events@carnegielibrary.org. Share this flyer with your network.
October 13, 2020 CARES Funds Available For Eligible Families Individuals and families who are unable to meet basic and urgent needs on their own due to loss of income, reduced income, or insufficient income caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to receive Community Services Block Grant CARES Act supplemental funds. About Assistance is available to help individuals and families cover costs associated with rent or mortgage, utilities, transportation, home repairs, food, child care, household supplies, and other needs as identified by the eligible individual/family. This assistance is capped at $1,000 and payments will generally be made to third parties on behalf of the eligible individual or family. Eligibility Criteria To qualify, applicants must live in Allegheny County outside of the city of Pittsburgh and be 18 years of age or older. Additionally, their household income for the 30-day period prior to applying must not exceed 200% Federal Poverty Level. For a household of one, this equates to $2,127 per month or $25,520 annually. For a family of four, this equates to $4,367 per month or $52,400 annually. More Information For more information, contact the appropriate community service agency below: For residents of Allegheny Valley communities: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches; Beth Kendra; 724-226-0606, ext. 10; beth@avaoc.org For residents of Mon Valley and eastern suburban communities: Human Services Center Corporation, Anna Hudson, 412-436-9537, ahudson@hscc-mvpc.org For residents of northern and western communities: North Hills Community Outreach, Stephanie Kobert, 412-408-3210, sdkobert@nhco.org For residents of southern communities: South Hills Interfaith Movement, Elizabeth Henninger; 412-854-9120, ext. 104; ehenninger@shimcares.org
Hard-to-Recycle Material Collection Events in Pittsburgh On October 9, the City of Pittsburgh announced that three neighborhood hard-to-recycle material collection events will be coming to Pittsburgh this fall to help residents get rid of electronic or household hazardous waste that could not be collected by refuse and recycling such as TVs, computers, light bulbs, and batteries. About Participants are required to drive to the event location and must remain in their vehicles for the duration of their visit. Social distancing guidelines will be followed for this event and face masks are required. Each event will serve up to 240 people. Additional neighborhoods will be scheduled in 2021. The City of Pittsburgh subsidizes the cost of recycling electronics and household hazardous waste, however, fees apply for most items. Credit cards or checks are the only forms of payment accepted. Accepted materials and fees can be found on the ECS&R website. The Clean Pittsburgh Commission is sponsoring financial assistance, available upon request by contacting 311. Registration Advance registration is required. To register for an appointment, use the links below or call 311. North Side Collection / City Council District 1 Date: October 17, 2020 | Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: 2706 N Charles St, 15214 (Pittsburgh Project Parking Lot) East End Collection/City Council District 8 Date: October 24, 2020 | Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: 315 Shady Ave, 15206 (Calvary Episcopal parking lot) South Side Collection/City Council District 3 Date: November 7, 2020 | Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: Three Rivers Heritage Trail Turnaround, 15203 More Information For answers to commonly asked questions, visit the ECS&R website.
October 6, 2020 Dance the Story: Dracula! Are you interested in participating in an up-on-your-feet program for children and families that introduces basic ballet steps and movement concepts through stories and characters? Join the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre on October 20 for, “Dance the Story: Dracula!” About The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre invites you to a special edition of “Dance the Story: Dracula!” as a part of RADical Days. During the event, children aged pre-k to fifth grade and their caregivers will join together on Zoom for a pre-Halloween exploration of dance and movement. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage. Admission is free, but attendance will be limited based on Zoom capacity.
October 5, 2020 Pittsburgh Welcomes Trick-or-Treating with Precautions On October 5, the City of Pittsburgh announced that it welcomes trick-or-treating this Halloween but urges residents to follow safety protocols to reduce risk and avoid the spread of COVID-19 in Pittsburgh communities. About The official trick-or-treating hours will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many behaviors will have to change this year to meet safety guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Residents are urged to: trick-or-treat only with family members; wear cloth facemasks, in addition to Halloween masks; carry and regularly use hand sanitizer; distribute candy by leaving it outside, and avoid in-person, face-to-face interactions at the door; follow social distancing guidelines (at least six feet from others) on sidewalks and when approaching homes where others are getting candy; and avoid indoor costume parties. Like any other year, motorists are asked to be especially vigilant on Halloween night, decrease speeds, and increase awareness of trick-or-treating children and families. Read the Full Release This information was provided by the City of Pittsburgh. To learn more, read the full press release.
October 2, 2020 Homewood Virtual Block Party We’re throwing you a BLOCK PARTY! Join the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center and Homewood Early Learning Steering Committee (HELSC) on October 10 for a virtual celebration filled with storytime sessions, family yoga, a virtual bike ride, and a dance party! About Since the onset of COVID-19, Trying Together has been working with the HELSC to figure out a way to provide Homewood families, partners, and collaborators an experience that matches the energy and excitement of the events hosted in years prior. With this in mind, Trying Together and the HELSC are excited to announce the first Homewood Virtual Block Party! Homewood Virtual Block Party Saturday, October 10 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. While this year’s event is different, the virtual event still features many educational and fun activities that past attendees of the Homewood Block Party know and love. The Homewood Virtual Block Party will be pre-recorded and available for viewing on this event page via the Trying Together Vimeo player and on Facebook via the Trying Together page. Featured Events The Homewood Virtual Block Party will feature online events from the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center, Homewood Community Engagement Center, Homewood Children’s Village, Kenny’s, YWCA Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, WQED Education, Fund My Future/Propel Schools, Mayor’s Office/Imagination Library, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, and University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. Family Dance Party Ready to get your groove on? Join the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center, HELSC, and DJ Doug for a Virtual Family Dance Party from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Family Fun Bags Want a swag bag? Complete your virtual block party registration and you may pick up a Family Fun Bag with information, resources, and giveaways from the activities and partners featured during the party. Coordinate your bag pick-up time on the day of the party (October 10) with one of our contacts listed below during their available hours: Homewood YWCA | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Cheryl Smith | 412.391.5100 The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Toni Beasley | 412.540.5732 Registration To register, please complete this online form by Friday, October 8 at 5 p.m. Registrants will receive the event link via email at least 24 hours before the start of the celebration. If you miss the registration deadline, you can still coordinate a time to pick up a Family Fun Bag. You can also watch the Block Party Livestream on the Trying Together website or Facebook page on October 10. More Information For questions, please contact Sarah Byrne-Houser at sarah@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
