September 5, 2024 Green Cleaning Event for Early Learning Providers Women for a Healthy Environment will host a professional development session on green cleaning in October that is designed specifically for early child care providers. Learn More The event, which provides two PQAS and Act 48 credits, will focus on creating a safe, healthy space for the development and well-being of young children. The workshop will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to make impactful changes in daily cleaning routines. The event will instruct attendees how to: Protect the health of children in their care and learn how to create a safer environment by using green, non-toxic alternatives Recognize the distinctions between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting, and why each is critical in a child care setting Look for effective, eco-friendly products that reduce exposure to toxic substances, ensuring a healthier space for children. More Details Attendees will take home a green cleaning kit. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. The session will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3 at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Allegheny branch, located at 1230 Federal St. Space is limited. Registration is now open.
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.
August 21, 2024 Pennsylvania’s Professional Development Registry Debuts Training Organization Directory The state’s Professional Development (PD) Registry has launched a Training Organization Directory for finding organizations approved by the Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS). Learn More Providers seeking professional development can use the directory to find and contact PQAS-approved organizations to schedule events. To access the directory, visit the PD Registry website. Once there, click on “Search Training Organization Directory” within the left-hand menu. Visitors can search for an organization by name or region (at this time, qualifications will appear blank). To email an organization, click on its name or email icon. To view any professional development events the organization may have scheduled, click on the calendar icon. PQAS-approved training organizations that are interested in listing themselves in the Training Organization Directory should complete the steps in a tipsheet on the Pennsylvania Keys’ website. Any questions should be emailed to pqas@pakeys.org.
August 12, 2024 Theiss Training Center: Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed, and Proficient The University of Pittsburgh’s Theiss Training Center for Trauma and Early Childhood Mental Health is hosting a three-part online course on trauma in August and September. Learn More The three-part virtual training series on Trauma Proficient Practiced is designed specifically for professionals working with young children and their families in early childhood settings. The series will be offered periodically; each can be taken as a standalone course or participants can attend all three. Teri Pentz, MS, LPC, NCC, Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical), will lead all three courses. Microsoft Teams links will be shared with participants after they register for the courses. Becoming Trauma Aware The first course discusses how the path to becoming trauma proficient begins with a basic understanding of trauma and what young children’s reaction to trauma can look like in the context of their play and behaviors. The session will lay the foundation for understanding trauma by developing an awareness of what it is and how it reveals itself. Attendees will discuss the basic definition and different types of trauma and trauma reactions. Then, they will explore trauma in early childhood and what it can look like when processed through behavior. Becoming Trauma Aware will be held on: Aug. 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 1 hour of PQAS or Act 48 credit will be available; there is no cost to attend or for PQAS hours, but Act 48 hours will incur a separate fee. PD Registry Course #153308 Event ID: 370793 Register Becoming Trauma Informed With a basic awareness of what trauma response looks like in children, this second session will take a step back to look at recent understanding of early brain development. It will share how babies’ brains develop in tandem with close relationship building; how trauma disrupts relationships and the building of “brain architecture” during this stage; and how strong relationships can build resilience when trauma is present. Becoming Trauma Informed will be held on: Aug. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 1.5 hours of PQAS or Act 48 credits will be available; there is no cost to attend or for PQAS hours, but Act 48 hours will incur a separate fee. PD Registry Course #153309 Event ID: 370795 Register Toward Trauma Proficiency This third training applies information presented in the second session. Looking at a case study, the group will analyze trauma and relationship information that may indicate early traumatic experiences impacting the child’s current psychological functioning. It will then assess behaviors presented to identify classroom strengths that support children whose needs are met and understand how to identify children whose history and behaviors may indicate a need to refer for services. Toward Trauma Proficiency will be held on: Sept. 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 1.5 hours of PQAS or Act 48 credits will be available; there is no cost to attend or for PQAS hours, but Act 48 hours will incur a separate fee. All can attend but prior completion of “Becoming Trauma Informed” is required to receive PQAS or Act 48 credits. PD Registry Course #153312 Event ID: 370796 Register
Theiss Training Center: Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed, and Proficient The University of Pittsburgh’s Theiss Training Center for Trauma and Early Childhood Mental Health is hosting a three-part online course on trauma in August and September. Learn More The three-part virtual training series on Trauma Proficient Practiced is designed specifically for professionals working with young children and their families in early childhood settings. The series will be offered periodically; each can be taken as a standalone course or participants can attend all three. Teri Pentz, MS, LPC, NCC, Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical), will lead all three courses. Microsoft Teams links will be shared with participants after they register for the courses. Becoming Trauma Aware The first course discusses how the path to becoming trauma proficient begins with a basic understanding of trauma and what young children’s reaction to trauma can look like in the context of their play and behaviors. The session will lay the foundation for understanding trauma by developing an awareness of what it is and how it reveals itself. Attendees will discuss the basic definition and different types of trauma and trauma reactions. Then, they will explore trauma in early childhood and what it can look like when processed through behavior. Becoming Trauma Aware will be held on: Aug. 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 1 hour of PQAS or Act 48 credit will be available; there is no cost to attend or for PQAS hours, but Act 48 hours will incur a separate fee. PD Registry Course #153308 Event ID: 370793 Register Becoming Trauma Informed With a basic awareness of what trauma response looks like in children, this second session will take a step back to look at recent understanding of early brain development. It will share how babies’ brains develop in tandem with close relationship building; how trauma disrupts relationships and the building of “brain architecture” during this stage; and how strong relationships can build resilience when trauma is present. Becoming Trauma Informed will be held on: Aug. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 1.5 hours of PQAS or Act 48 credits will be available; there is no cost to attend or for PQAS hours, but Act 48 hours will incur a separate fee. PD Registry Course #153309 Event ID: 370795 Register Toward Trauma Proficiency This third training applies information presented in the second session. Looking at a case study, the group will analyze trauma and relationship information that may indicate early traumatic experiences impacting the child’s current psychological functioning. It will then assess behaviors presented to identify classroom strengths that support children whose needs are met and understand how to identify children whose history and behaviors may indicate a need to refer for services. Toward Trauma Proficiency will be held on: Sept. 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 1.5 hours of PQAS or Act 48 credits will be available; there is no cost to attend or for PQAS hours, but Act 48 hours will incur a separate fee. All can attend but prior completion of “Becoming Trauma Informed” is required to receive PQAS or Act 48 credits. PD Registry Course #153312 Event ID: 370796 Register
Theiss Training Center: Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed, and Proficient The University of Pittsburgh’s Theiss Training Center for Trauma and Early Childhood Mental Health is hosting a three-part online course on trauma in August and September. Learn More The three-part virtual training series on Trauma Proficient Practiced is designed specifically for professionals working with young children and their families in early childhood settings. The series will be offered periodically; each can be taken as a standalone course or participants can attend all three. Teri Pentz, MS, LPC, NCC, Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical), will lead all three courses. Microsoft Teams links will be shared with participants after they register for the courses. Becoming Trauma Aware The first course discusses how the path to becoming trauma proficient begins with a basic understanding of trauma and what young children’s reaction to trauma can look like in the context of their play and behaviors. The session will lay the foundation for understanding trauma by developing an awareness of what it is and how it reveals itself. Attendees will discuss the basic definition and different types of trauma and trauma reactions. Then, they will explore trauma in early childhood and what it can look like when processed through behavior. Becoming Trauma Aware will be held on: Aug. 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 1 hour of PQAS or Act 48 credit will be available; there is no cost to attend or for PQAS hours, but Act 48 hours will incur a separate fee. PD Registry Course #153308 Event ID: 370793 Register Becoming Trauma Informed With a basic awareness of what trauma response looks like in children, this second session will take a step back to look at recent understanding of early brain development. It will share how babies’ brains develop in tandem with close relationship building; how trauma disrupts relationships and the building of “brain architecture” during this stage; and how strong relationships can build resilience when trauma is present. Becoming Trauma Informed will be held on: Aug. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 1.5 hours of PQAS or Act 48 credits will be available; there is no cost to attend or for PQAS hours, but Act 48 hours will incur a separate fee. PD Registry Course #153309 Event ID: 370795 Register Toward Trauma Proficiency This third training applies information presented in the second session. Looking at a case study, the group will analyze trauma and relationship information that may indicate early traumatic experiences impacting the child’s current psychological functioning. It will then assess behaviors presented to identify classroom strengths that support children whose needs are met and understand how to identify children whose history and behaviors may indicate a need to refer for services. Toward Trauma Proficiency will be held on: Sept. 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 1.5 hours of PQAS or Act 48 credits will be available; there is no cost to attend or for PQAS hours, but Act 48 hours will incur a separate fee. All can attend but prior completion of “Becoming Trauma Informed” is required to receive PQAS or Act 48 credits. PD Registry Course #153312 Event ID: 370796 Register
July 3, 2024 Pennsylvania Early Childhood Summit Returns in Person This Fall The Pennsylvania Early Childhood Summit will return in person for the first time in four years this October. Learn More The summit is expected to draw hundreds of early learning educators. It has been held annually since 2008 but will be in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s theme is Celebrating Early Learning: Reconnecting, Reviewing, Revisioning. There will be more than 60 workshops and two keynote speakers as well as OCDEL updates, exhibitors, the Summit Marketplace, prizes, food, and numerous opportunities to build new professional connections. Attendees will be able to receive PQAS and Act 48 credits. The 2024 Summit will be held on October 28 and 29 at the Penn Stater Conference Center, located at 215 Innovation Blvd. in State College. Registration is now open for attendees and exhibitors. Trying Together Presentations Trying Together will hold two presentations at the summit. The first, presented by Lindsey Victoria and Loni Gooden, is titled “Combating the Child Care Crisis: Empowering Early Educators Through Workforce Development.” This session will explore the pivotal role of workforce development initiatives in enhancing the capabilities and skills of early childhood educators. The presenters will examine how current, innovative work contributes to solving the childcare crisis. The second presentation, led by Allison Robinson and Shellie Grooms, is titled “Re-Envisioning Your Classroom: Curiosity Calms Chaos.” The presentation asks whether a re-envisioning of the classroom as child-centered spaces filled with curiosity and joy would calm daily chaos. The session will explore new strategies for classroom set-ups, routines, and management through the lens of curiosity.
April 11, 2023 Dancing Our Way Through STEM Providing children with opportunities to explore creative movement can spark so many natural connections to STEM concepts. During this interactive workshop provided through the Trust Arts Education Center, early childhood and K-12 educators will participate in a variety of dance focused strategies that will deepen understanding in science math, ingenuity, and other fundamental STEM concepts. Participants will have the opportunity to demonstrate their own creative movement techniques that can support student’s STEM learning. Breakfast will be included. PQAS and ACT 48 Credit available. To learn more and register, visit the Trust Arts Education Center event page.
March 22, 2023 OCDEL Ends Option for Director Instructor PQAS The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL) recently ended the option for individuals to apply for the Director Instructor (DI) Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS). Effective March 21, applications for DI PQAS will no longer be accepted or processed, and the DI PQAS will no longer be available as an option for individuals to provide training to child care staff. Additionally, individuals holding a DI PQAS will no longer have access to train child care staff, as trainings will be made obsolete on April 28. Learn More Directors may pursue a PQAS application and create their own content in alignment with competencies for which they are approved based on expertise and/or education. Visit PQAS Applications – The Pennsylvania Key for information on applying to become a Professional Development Instructor. For child care staff seeking professional development in material similar to the outdated modules, OCDEL is supplying course content to replace the outdated modules within the PD Registry. All content in the PD Registry is offered by approved Professional Development PQAS Instructors in order to count for various professional development requirements. To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.
Additional Course to be Required for PQAS Certification The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL) recently adopted a new set of Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators (PA PSCECE), which require an additional self-paced Professional Development (PD) Registry course for Professional Development Instructor Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS) approval, beginning July 1. The new course, “Submitting PQAS Courses in the PD Registry,” meets enhanced PSCECE standards. Changes to PQAS Application Requirements Currently, instructors seeking Professional Development Instructor PQAS approval must complete the following self-paced PD Registry courses: Overview of Keystone STARS: Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) Engaging Adult Learners The Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators On July 1, Pennsylvania will add “Submitting PQAS Courses in the PD Registry” to this list of required courses, as part of the PQAS application requirements for all new PD Instructor PQAS instructors. PQAS-approved instructors who have already updated courses to align with PA PSCECE do not need take this additional course. However, if you currently have PQAS approval, but have not submitted any courses since May 2022, you must complete the additional course prior to submitting any new courses into the PD Registry. Learn More To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.
