January 27, 2022 Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Workshop Series Join Brazelton Touchpoints Center for a three-part workshop series focused on infant and early childhood mental health. Registration for this event is available online. Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation is a capacity-building intervention that supports the mental health and social-emotional well-being of children, families, and providers who work with them. Family Connections is an evidence-based, system-wide model for mental health consultation and professional development. This three-part virtual workshop series based on the Family Connections model is for you if you are a Mental Health Consultant, Family Service professional, or early childhood systems leader. Each workshop provides knowledge, skills, and strategies that you can bring right back to your setting and implement them in service of the staff and family well-being. And, for Mental Health Consultants, this series will provide you with a workshop model for professional development in the programs for which you consult. Workshops Workshop topics include: Overcoming barriers to family-staff partnerships | 3/10, 2-3:30 p.m. Building strong family-staff relationships – key to young children’s development- is an ongoing process. Explore challenges to building these relationships and strategies to overcome them. Understanding depression and fostering resilience | 3/17, 2-3:30 p.m. Learn more about depression, and how you can help family-facing professionals reach out to family members about mental health concerns while keeping in mind their cultural values and beliefs. Talking to children about sensitive topics | 3/24, 2-3:30 p.m. Learn how to support family-facing professionals when discussing sensitive issues with children and families from diverse backgrounds, and how they can care for themselves during these conversations. Cost Each workshop costs $35, or all three workshops may be bundled for $90. Group rates are available by contacting Brazelton Touchpoints Center.
January 25, 2022 Deadline Extended: Spring 2022 Child Development Associate (CDA) Looking to receive a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential? The deadline for the Spring 2022 CDA has been extended to January 31, 2022. What is a CDA Credential? A CDA Credential is the most widely recognized credential in the early childhood field and is a key stepping stone on the path to career advancement. The credential enables professionals to work in Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms, in addition to early learning programs across the United States, and provides opportunities for increased pay. Interested applicants may complete the CDA Interest Form to connect with a member of our staff. Please share this flyer with your networks. Trying Together’s CDA Programs Trying Together offers the following CDA programs at no cost to eligible early childhood professionals in Pennsylvania: CDA Credential Preparation Program Spring 2022 Classes: 1/11/22 – 6/14/22 (Deadline to Register: 1/31/22) Fall 2022 Classes: 8/30/22 – 3/28/23 Biweekly Zoom Meetings and Schoology Participants complete 135 hours of professional development to earn their CDA Credential in six to nine months. Participants can matriculate up to nine course credits at Carlow University upon credential completion. CDA Credential Community of Practice Program Fall 2021 Classes: 11/16/21 – 1/4/22 (Deadline to Register: 11/11/21) Spring 2022 Classes: Spring Classes: 3/1/22 – 4/26/22 Biweekly Zoom Meetings and Schoology Participants receive support in building a portfolio and preparing for the CDA Credential Exam. Applicants must have proof of 120 hours of coursework completed via professional development hours, transcripts, etc. CDA Credential Renewal Program Participants review current standards, literature, strategies, and more to meet the criteria for eight early childhood subject areas upon completion. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis. More Information For more information, visit our CDA Credential page. To ask a question about our programs, contact Theresa Hetler at theresa@tryingtogether.org or Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org. For eligibility questions, contact Judy Graca at judy@tryingtogether.org.
January 20, 2022 Exploring Family Stressors and Creating Positive Relationships to Support Families Join Trying Together for the upcoming session, “Talking to Listen: Exploring Family Stressors and Creating Positive Relationships to Support Families”. Children react differently to stress and trauma, which can sometimes exhibit itself as challenging behaviors in the classroom. This workshop helps educators understand the impact that family stressors (such as a death, food insecurity, changes in placement, community violence, etc.) can have on both children and their caregivers. Participants will learn how to notice these family stressors; how to communicate with caregivers to build relationships that provide a supportive environment for young children; and self-regulation strategies to manage strong emotions when having difficult conversations with caregivers. UnConference: Creating a Safe Place with Trauma-Informed Care This session is a part of Trying Together’s upcoming UnConference. Between February 8-18, expert-led workshops will share content related to trauma-informed care. We begin the UnConference with keynote speaker Dr. Veirdre Jackson and dive into how we can create an environment of healing through equity and trust. Following the keynote, workshop sessions include how to identify family stressors, how to provide responsive care-giving for children experiencing trauma, and an overview of the recently launched Rapid Response Team from Trying Together. Individuals can learn more and register on Trying Together’s website.
Practical Tools for Early Childhood Educators to Reduce Stress and Avoid Burn-Out Join Trying Together for the upcoming session: “Self-Care Isn’t Selfish, It’s Necessary: Practical Tools for Early Childhood Educators to Reduce Stress and Avoid Burn-Out”. In this session, participants will learn why self-care is necessary, how to recognize when they need to be more intentional about self-care, and research informed strategies and activities to reduce stress and avoid burn-out. At the end of the session, participants will create a personalized self-care plan. UnConference: Creating a Safe Place with Trauma-Informed Care This session is a part of Trying Together’s upcoming UnConference. Between February 8-18, expert-led workshops will share content related to trauma-informed care. We begin the UnConference with keynote speaker Dr. Veirdre Jackson and dive into how we can create an environment of healing through equity and trust. Following the keynote, workshop sessions include how to identify family stressors, how to provide responsive care-giving for children experiencing trauma, and an overview of the recently launched Rapid Response Team from Trying Together. Individuals can learn more and register on Trying Together’s website.
Rapid Response Team: Reducing Expulsions and Suspensions in Early Childhood Education Join Trying Together for an upcoming professional development session, “Rapid Response Team: Reducing Expulsions and Suspensions in Early Childhood Education”. This session will discuss the ongoing and growing issue surrounding expulsion and suspension in early childhood education that have been linked to staff implicit bias, challenging behaviors, and staffing issues. The presentation will guide parents, caregivers, directors and staff working with children ages 0-5 on how to prevent expulsion and suspension in early childhood education. The session will discuss ways to implement evidence-based strategies to promote positive behavior support, self-regulation, and positive mental health. We will share community resources and programs for children and families in Allegheny County. UnConference: Creating a Safe Place with Trauma-Informed Care This session is a part of Trying Together’s upcoming UnConference. Between February 8-18, expert-led workshops will share content related to trauma-informed care. We begin the UnConference with keynote speaker Dr. Veirdre Jackson and dive into how we can create an environment of healing through equity and trust. Following the keynote, workshop sessions include how to identify family stressors, how to provide responsive care-giving for children experiencing trauma, and an overview of the recently launched Rapid Response Team from Trying Together. Individuals can learn more and register on Trying Together’s website.
Co-Creating A Healing Community of Equity & Trust Join Trying Together for an upcoming session, “Co-Creating a Healing Community of Equity & Trust”. Communities, however defined, are made up of people who bring a range of experiences and histories. Remaining open, curious, and culturally humble is essential to understanding a community’s resilience, strength, and wisdom. Claudia Woody says, “Inclusion means not ‘just we’re allowed to be there,’ but we are valued there.” Participants will explore the 5 Blocks of Building Restorative Relationships that allow caregivers to create holistic and supportive spaces that are responsive to historical trauma and equity literacy which holds us accountable to doing the work of learning together, seeking understanding, and creating a safe, valued, and heard community. UnConference: Creating a Safe Place with Trauma-Informed Care This session is a part of Trying Together’s upcoming UnConference. Between February 8-18, expert-led workshops will share content related to trauma-informed care. We begin the UnConference with keynote speaker Dr. Veirdre Jackson and dive into how we can create an environment of healing through equity and trust. Following the keynote, workshop sessions include how to identify family stressors, how to provide responsive care-giving for children experiencing trauma, and an overview of the recently launched Rapid Response Team from Trying Together. Individuals can learn more and register on Trying Together’s website.
January 5, 2022 Let’s Talk Quality Series: Sharing Books with Infants and Toddlers Join the Program Quality Assessment (PQA) team for the upcoming Let’s Talk Quality Series. The Let’s Talk Quality Series includes three monthly activities – Let’s Talk Quality Blog, Let’s Talk Quality Webinar, and the newest, Let’s Talk Quality Spotlight. Each month the PQA team will publish a blog article, create a webinar, and offer a spotlight session focused on a particular early education topic. The topic for January is Sharing Books with Infants and Toddlers. Register to join the one-hour Let’s Talk Quality Webinar: January 23, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. January 23, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. Register to join the one-hour Spotlight session where members of the PQA team will answer your questions and be available for discussion about this month’s topic and other PQA related topics: January 27, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. January 27, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. Additional details, as well as the monthly blog post for this topic, can be found on the PQA website.
December 8, 2021 Loving Places and Learning Spaces for Infants and Toddlers Join PennAEYC and The Learning Lamp for their upcoming webinar, “Loving Places and Learning Spaces for Infants and Toddlers” on December 15. What makes up high-quality infant and toddler care? Learn the importance of attachment and relationships in learning and development, examine aspects of the ITERS and PA Early Learning Standards, and share ideas that support healthy infant and toddler development. This session is open to PennAEYC or Shared Services members. Space is limited and registration is required. Register for all 12 monthly sessions before December 22, 2021 for an early bird discount.
November 3, 2021 Instructional Implementations of Interventions That Address Today’s Diverse Classroom Join EdWeb.net for the upcoming webinar, “Instructional Implementations of Interventions That Address Today’s Diverse Classroom”. In this edWebinar, join Dr. Bonnie Cochran, Dr. Tonya Clarke, Jay Hillman, and Dr. Jessica Talada to hear what other district leaders from around the country are implementing in anticipation of the wider range of learning needs teachers will be facing this school year. The presenters will be exploring the best ways to select evidence-based solutions, designing flexible implementation models, and supporting teachers for accelerated student learning. Additional Information The learning loss as a result of the pandemic is no longer hypothetical. All students have been affected and educators are facing a larger number of students who need in-classroom interventions. This urgency requires all educators to find the right solutions that can address this gap knowing that: All students have been affected in some way Math and reading learning have seen the largest declines in scores Students who were one to two years behind have even larger instructional gaps Proven solutions that can be implemented in the classroom in flexible ways have to be considered for students to catch up
Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education Join edWeb.net for their upcoming webinar, “Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education“. This edWebinar will present a fresh take on trauma-informed practices, with takeaways for teachers, school leaders, and anyone else who is invested in making change in education. Alex Shevrin Venet, author of Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education, will introduce participants to the key understandings of the Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education framework, sharing stories from her work as a teacher and supporting schools with trauma-informed education. Participants can expect to leave with a new understanding of their role in trauma-informed education and ideas for how to get started. This edWebinar will be of interest to PreK-12 educators, school leaders, district leaders, chief equity officers, and at-risk coordinators. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.
