November 18, 2019 Communication Basics Using Online Technology This course is designed to provide early educators with the basic tools of communication, using online technology. Electronic communication and organizational applications such as email, social media, internet research, and basic computation skills will be discussed and contextualized to the early learning environment. Sample templates and resources will be distributed throughout the session to allow participants to continue practicing and strengthening their electronic communication skills upon completion of the course. Two PQAS and ACT 48 credit hours offered. Materials Required Preferred Electronic Device (laptop, iPad, tablet, phone, etc.) Registration To register, complete the form below. More Information For questions, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
November 13, 2019 Creating Patterns of Pride with Batik K-12 educators are invited to join the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on January 11, 2020, for “Creating Patterns of Pride with Batik.” About Join the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to explore how patterns exist across cultures and how you can bring your own, as well as your students’ cultural identity into original pattern designs. Using resistance and color, participants will learn how to accurately reproduce repeating patterns to create a unique batik wall hanging. You will leave with resources to guide you on connecting culturally responsive teaching to arts integration and STEAM. This workshop is intended for K-12 Educators. ACT 48 and PQAS hours available. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.
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.
November 6, 2019 T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Spring 2020 Deadline Early childhood education professionals interested in attending college for the spring semester (beginning January 2020) can submit applications to receive a T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) scholarship. Eligibility The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) offers a variety of T.E.A.C.H. scholarships to meet the needs of the early care and education workforce in center and home-based settings. Eligible applicants must: work a minimum of 25-30 hours per week directly with children in a DHS-certified child care program; make $19 or less an hour ($25 or less per hour for directors); be interested in pursuing coursework at a participating college toward a degree or credential in early childhood; and Bachelor’s degree applicants must meet additional eligibility criteria, which includes having at least 55 transferable credits towards a degree in Early Childhood Education or equivalent. Scholarship awards are dependent upon the availability of funds and priorities of funders. See the brochure. Application Details To be considered for the Spring 2020 semester, T.E.A.C.H. applications must be completed and submitted with all required documentation by Friday, November 15, 2019. PACCA will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis, however, incomplete applications and applications received after this date will not receive priority for consideration. New scholarship awards for the Spring 2020 semester will be dependent upon funding availability at that time. Interested applicants should also begin the college admissions process now and contact an early childhood education advisor at their intended college/university. This helps to ensure that scholarship applicants are admitted to their college/university and can register for courses if/when they receive a T.E.A.C.H. scholarship. T.E.A.C.H. can provide contact information for early childhood education advisors at partnering institutions if needed. Click here to download a scholarship application. More Information To learn more, visit the PACCA website. For questions, contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor at 717-657-9000 or teachinfo@pacca.org. *Information provided by PACCA
October 25, 2019 What’s It Really Worth? How to Run a Profitable Child Care Business In this professional development course, participants will learn the basic principles of operating the business of a child care program. Strategies to maximize profits and minimize expenses, public funding sources, and STARS participation effects will be highlighted. This session is intended for program directors of centers, family child care homes, and group child care homes. Course Timeline: November 11 – December 9, 2019 CKC: D8.4 C2, D8.2 C3, D8.7 Keystone STARS Alignment: LM. 2.1 / CDA:5 and 6 Four professional development hours available after completion. Limited spaces are available. Questions For more information on how to register, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network. Registration To register, complete the form below.
October 19, 2019 Using Ages and Stages Questionnaires as a Screening Tool Are you interested in learning how to use Ages and Stages Questionnaires®, including Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional, as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years old? Join Trying Together for a three-hour professional growth session that provides information on how to administer, score, and share the results of the screener with families. The session will include resources for making referrals to additional services. This course will be instructed by Carlow University’s Coordinator of Undergraduate Education Programs, Pamela Zimmerman. PQAS and Act 48 hours available. More Information For questions, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network. Registration To register, complete the course below.
October 17, 2019 SharedSource Pennsylvania Launches Revamped Website In October 2019, SharedSource Pennsylvania launched its revamped website, featuring a new layout and at least 74 new resources! About SharedSource Pennsylvania is “a partnership of Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC), Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC), Trying Together, and Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). The alliance promotes shared learning, efficient use of resources and quality improvement in ECE programs across the Commonwealth.” New Resources During the launch, SharedSource Pennsylvania highlighted a list of some of its newest resources. With 30 available in Spanish, the resources cover topics including: admin tools; family handbooks; budget planning and preparation; understanding, building, and using business credit; budget tools, marketing your program, family tours, and phone best practices. Visit the website to see the full list. More Information To learn more about SharedSource Pennsylvania, visit their website.
October 16, 2019 Promoting Self-Awareness through Dance Early childhood educators are invited to join the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on December 14 for their workshop, “Promoting Self-Awareness through Dance.” About Dance offers children a way to explore their environment, engage with peers, and express their unique selves. During this workshop, participants will learn dance strategies that will foster all of these experiences by promoting children’s self-awareness. Participants will learn ways to bring these ideas into your center to create a classroom of students with strong self-control and body awareness! Act 48 and PQAS hours available. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event page.
October 2, 2019 Governor Wolf Releases Report on Infant Toddler Support Governor Tom Wolf released a report detailing seven Ready to Start Task Force priorities that were developed to better support the long-term success of infants, toddlers, and families in Pennsylvania. Ready to Start Task Force The Governor’s Ready to Start Task Force was created in September 2018 to “develop a framework of strategies to address health, human services, and education policy for infants and toddlers ages birth to three in Pennsylvania.” Led by six Governor-appointed co-chairs, the Task Force facilitated “six regional roundtable listening sessions with members of the Administration and approximately 150 stakeholders who represent early care and education providers, health care practitioners, research organizations, workforce development, state and local government, foundations, employers, postsecondary educators, and community-based organizations.” At these sessions, stakeholders responded to three key questions on family and child health, home environments, and future school success. The Governor also provided an online feedback form to receive ideas and thoughts from the community. Through these methods, the Task Force identified a list of key themes and findings, from which the four-year framework report was created. Priorities “Governor’s Ready to Start Task Force: A Four-Year Framework to Support Pennsylvania’s Infants and Toddlers” lists seven key priorities, all of which include specific goals that guide Pennsylvania “to a stronger future for the Commonwealth’s infants, toddlers, and their families.” Increase the Availability of High-Quality Child Care and Home Visiting Service Slots Improve Early Intervention Quality and Streamlining to Enhance Availablity, Alignment, Integration, and Coordination of Services Increase Recruitment, Retention, Development, Support, and Training of Early Childhood Education Professionals Better Utilize Medicaid, CHIP, and State Regulatory Powers to Address the Risks to Infants and Toddlers Posed by Harmful Environmental Contaminants Promote Education, Engagement, and Support of Parents and Families as Children’s First Teachers Improve Information, Outreach, and Access to Services Promote Sustainable Systems of Care to Support the Health and Wellbeing of All Children and Women of Child-Bearing Age Next Steps Moving forward, Governor Wolf will “establish a cross-sector ‘Ready to Start’ Workgroup comprised of agency and external stakeholders that will be responsible for establishing measurable goals and ensuring progress on the framework priorities and recommendations.” Meeting monthly, the Workgroup will engage with other state groups in fields that intersect with the priorities. Learn More To learn more, read the full report. *Information provided by the Office of Governor Tom Wolf
September 26, 2019 SEL: The Importance of Strategy and Practice Join Remake Learning, educators, researchers, and leaders across the Pittsburgh region in discussing the research, application, and benefits behind SEL in the classroom, out of school, and at home. About The event will feature keynote speakers Felicia Savage Friedman of YogaRoots on Location and Kevin McNair and his team from 1 Nation Mentoring (PGH). Attendees will choose two breakout sessions (one morning and one afternoon) to attend during registration. Each session has a maximum of 30 attendees. If the session you choose is full, you may be placed in another. Breakfast and lunch provided. Session Topics The Whole Child with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh SEL for Older Youth with Sevenzo Research and Practice with RAND and Trying Together Parents and Families with Pitt School of Education Pre-Service Training with the Pitt Office of Child Development State Policy with Judd Pittman Registration To register, visit the Eventbrite page. Accessibility The bottom and top floors of the Education Partnership are not ADA approved. Please email allie@remakelearning.org if you have any questions, requests, or concerns regarding building access, general accessibility, or assistive devices and resources. More Information For more information, contact Remake Learning at allie@remakelearning.org. *Information provided by Remake Learning
