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Pittsburgh Launching New Book Gifting Program

News

February 4, 2019

Pittsburgh Launching New Book Gifting Program

With support from The Benter Foundation, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s administration plans to launch a free book program for children from birth to age five. Tomorrow, Pittsburgh City Council will introduce legislation to accept $250,000 from the foundation, introducing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program to the city. Since starting in 1995, this program has sent more than 113 million books for free, to children in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

The Role That Access Plays

Studies of the Imagination Library have discovered:

  • Parents believed their children were more interested in reading when receiving the books every month
  • Parents read aloud to their children more often
  • Children were excited when books arrived in their name
  • Positive views of the program transcended demographics and longer participation provided better outcomes

The City’s Role

The Imagination Library covers overhead costs, databases, monthly mailings, and a book selection committee. The City of Pittsburgh, as an affiliate of the Imagination Library, would cover the ongoing costs for mailing each book every month, as well as enrollment and promotional activities.

Once funding is approved, outreach and communication plans will be launched, as well as engaging with local organizations that work with young children and families.

Quotes from the Partnership

Tiffini Simoneaux, manager of the City’s Office of Early Childhood in Mayor Peduto’s Bureau of Neighborhood Empowerment:

“Research shows that early literary experiences, including access to books in the home, are fundamental ingredients for academic success. This program will enable young children throughout the city to build a home library of up to 60 books.”

Bill Benter, president of The Benter Foundation:

“We’re pleased to partner with the City of Pittsburgh and other community allies to help children develop a lifelong love of reading. Having your own books at home unlocks a new world of learning and language that can help Pittsburgh’s children thrive.”

*Information provided by the City of Pittsburgh

Start Strong PA Hosts Statewide Campaign Launch in Harrisburg

News

January 29, 2019

Start Strong PA Hosts Statewide Campaign Launch in Harrisburg

On January 29, Start Strong PA hosted their official statewide campaign launch event at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg.

What is Start Strong PA?

Guided by evidence-based research, the Start Strong PA campaign was launched to help ensure that every Pennsylvania infant and toddler starts off strong. By advocating for increased access to and affordability of high-quality child care programs, the campaign aims to support healthy childhood development, working families, and the Pennsylvania economy.

Speaking on behalf of the campaign, Jodi Askins, Executive Director of PennAEYC, stated:

“Infant-toddler brains make over a million neural connections every second – forming brain architecture for life. At no other time in a human’s life will the brain develop at this remarkable speed or with such intricacy. This is the foundation upon which all later learning, behavior, and health depend. That’s why we need Pennsylvanians to join us and help our infants and toddlers ‘start strong’!”

At the Launch

With approximately 75 early childhood advocates in attendance, including state legislators, professionals, and families with children in child care, the launch began with a complimentary coffee bar (made possible by Little Amps Coffee Roasters), pictures of legislators’ young children, and conversations on the important role that high-quality child care plays in the lives of our infants and toddlers.

A press conference was held later in the afternoon, featuring representatives from partner organizations, state legislators, administration, parents, and high-quality child care programs. Various early childhood education and care topics were highlighted, including issues of access, affordability, low wages, and a need for more high-quality early childhood staff.

Parent Lauren Bethea spoke about her experiences waiting for care for her daughter Lorraine:

“The weight of the world was on my shoulders until my child got into a high-quality program. Every young child like Lorraine deserves this opportunity. Waiting for space in a program until your child is 2, 3, or even older before enrollment is not an option for so many families.”

Deputy Secretary Suzann Morris spoke to her role as a mother and to her leadership role over current initiatives of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, sharing that work is underway to make early childhood programs more efficient such as program coordination in regional Early Learning Resource Centers.

Watch the full press conference here.

Quotes from Pennsylvania Legislators

At the press conference, state legislators spoke out on the following topics:

Senator Pat Browne, Co-Chair, Early Childhood Education Caucus

“This is the type of results-based thinking that’s necessary to maximize where the state spends its limited amount of discretionary revenue. These early learning programs have a proven track record of helping prevent at-risk young people from falling behind or dropping out of school. Looking long-term, young people who receive early learning assistance are more likely to become productive members of our community. By prioritizing spending on these vital programs it will save the Commonwealth long-term costs.”

Senator Jay Costa

“Paying [early childhood professionals] some of the lowest wages in the service industry is simply unacceptable and needs to change.”

Representative Mark Longietti, Co-Chair, Early Childhood Education Caucus

“Programs provide a safe and secure environment and teachers help children learn the “executive function” and self-regulation skills that are necessary for life success – from being able to pay attention, plan, and prioritize to recognizing, naming and controlling their emotions.”

Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver

“The state has a waiting list of over 4,300 kids for a subsidy and an average waiting time of 88 days as of November. And only one-third of children receiving subsidized care were in Keystone STAR 3 or 4 programs.”

How You Can Support

Help us inform and engage Pennsylvania policymakers on the changes necessary to increase access, affordability, and quality in infant/toddler child care programs and sign-on your support here or download, complete, and email this sign-on form to info@startstrongpa.org.

For updates on the campaign, follow Start Strong PA on Facebook and Twitter.

Questions

For questions or to schedule an interview with campaign launch speakers or Start Strong PA partner organizations, please contact Lissa Geiger Shulman at 717.802.1881 or lissa@tryingtogether.org.

Inclusion Course Series Available on EITA Portal

News

December 20, 2018

Inclusion Course Series Available on EITA Portal

The Early Intervention Technical Assistance Online Learning Portal now features a five-course professional development session on Collaborating for Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood.

These courses, designed for professionals working across all Pennsylvania Early Childhood and Early Intervention programs, will lead participants through activities and assignments that support the application of learning directly to the early childhood environment.

Courses

The Inclusion Course Series consists of the following courses:

  • Working Together

    This online course provides a framework for successful collaboration to provide quality inclusive opportunities for every child.

  • Focus on Attitudes & Beliefs

    This online course looks at how our actions are shaped by our attitudes and beliefs, and how societal attitudes and beliefs have shaped service systems.

  • Building Relationships to Support All Children

    This session focuses on establishing, building, and maintaining positive relationships to support children in inclusive classroom settings.

  • Universal Design for Learning in Early Childhood Settings

    This session provides early childhood educators with information, insights, and opportunities for practice related to the implementation of universal design in early childhood settings.

  • Individualizing for Meaningful Inclusion

    Participants will be provided with information, tools, and resources to guide them through the process of making adaptations to the classroom environment, routines, and/or activities that support individuals or groups of children who are experiencing challenges. This session requires the completion of activities in an early childhood classroom environment.

Learn More

To learn more about each course and register, visit the Professional Development page of the EITA Portal. These courses are listed under the Collaborating for Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood section.

PA Wins Brandon Hall Group Excellence Bronze Award

News

PA Wins Brandon Hall Group Excellence Bronze Award

In August 2018, the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and PA Key course, Assessment: Beyond the Basics of Observation and Data Utilization, won the prestigious Brandon Hall Group Excellence Bronze Award for best in Custom Content.

The Excellence Awards

The Excellence Awards recognize the best organizations that have successfully deployed programs, strategies, modalities, processes, systems, and tools that have achieved measurable results. Award entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group analysts, and executives based upon the following criteria:

  • Fit the need
  • Design of the program
  • Functionality
  • Innovation
  • Overall measurable benefits.

See the full list awardees.

About the Course

The winning self-paced online course for early learning teachers provides an overview of classroom assessments of young children and how information from assessments can be used to inform instruction. The course was developed in collaboration with CyperhWorx, Inc. and was made possible through Pennsylvania’s Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant.

Professional Development

To register for the winning course (and others), visit the PA Professional Development Registry.

*Information provided by the PA Early Ed News

Child Development Associate Courses Available

News

December 12, 2018

Child Development Associate Courses Available

In partnership with the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh, Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC) is offering a series of courses that fulfill the educational training requirements for the infant-toddler, preschool, or renewal Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials.

Additionally, a series of professional development courses are available that can be taken individually for required DHS training hours or as a full 3-hour college credit course.

Available Courses

Child Development Associate

Based on the CDA pursued, students may choose from the following courses, which will be offered at the Youngwood campus and by Web Conferencing (video conference) to all WCCC education centers:

  • Child Health, Safety & Nutrition – ECE 190-CDA
    May 13 – July 29, 2019, Web Conference
  • Observation & Assessment – ECE 191-CDA
    January 15 —April 30, 2019
  • Choose one:
    • Infant & Toddler Development – ECE 179-CDA
      April 15—July 29, 2019
    • Child Growth & Development – ECE 180-CDA
      April 4—July 25, 2019

For more information, see this flyer.

Early Childhood Professional Development
  • Child Health, Safety & Nutrition – ECE 190-KU
    January 16 – May 1, 2019, Westmoreland-New Kensington

For a listing of all available courses, see this flyer.

Certification and Costs

Each course is three college credits and can be applied towards an Associate degree at Westmoreland County Community College. The initial certifications require three courses, while renewal requires one course. The additional work experience, portfolio, and professional requirements required by the CDA Council must be completed independently by the candidates.

Tuition is $210 per course (or $14 per class) and $100 for the textbook. Rising STARS Tuition Assistance and the TEACH Scholarship are both accepted.

Registration

To register, call 1.800.262.2103, ext. 4204.

Questions

Questions should be directed to:

Dr. Brandi Weekley at 724.925.6715 or weekleyb@westmoreland.edu.

Vicki Hricik at 724.925.4013 or hricikv@westmoreland.edu.

OCDEL Releases Four New Vodcasts

News

November 19, 2018

OCDEL Releases Four New Vodcasts

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Bureau of Certification released four new vodcasts containing important information about operating a child care facility. These 10-15 minute videos can easily be shared with early learning staff, linked within an email or on a website, or shared via social media.

Vodcast Topics

  • Child Protective Services Law Vodcast
    This video details the requirements for child care providers in meeting the Child Protective Service Law (CPSL) and the importance of these requirements. Child care providers and other employees who have contact with children are responsible for obtaining the proper clearances and ensuring that clearances are obtained within the proper time frame.
  • Requirements for an Effective Director of Child Care Center Vodcast
    Child care directors are responsible for the overall management of a successful child care center. This video explains the commitments directors must make to ensure proper communication with staff and parents, maintain up-to-date child and staff files, have knowledge of the Pennsylvania child care regulations, and provide oversight for the overall health and safety of children in care.
  • Supervision Vodcast
    Supervision is the most critical requirement in keeping children healthy and safe while they are in care. Staff must always be able to see, hear, direct and assess children at all times in order to provide proper supervision. This video is helpful in providing a more in-depth look at supervision, as well as guidance to help staff meet this requirement.
  • Writing a Plan of Correction Vodcast
    All certified child care facilities are required to undergo an annual inspection. Many times, a facility is in full compliance with all the regulations. However, there are occasions when the Legal Entity has to be cited for non-compliance with one or more of the child care regulations. This video explains the process for writing and submitting a plan of correction for regulatory violations that your certification representative may cite during a licensing inspection.

Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website for the complete listing.

*Information provided by NAEYC*

Annual PENN SACCA Conference

News

November 12, 2018

Annual PENN SACCA Conference

Join the Pennsylvania School-Age Child Care Alliance (PENN SACCA) on November 9 for their 22nd Annual Statewide Conference! This year’s theme: Afterschool time is STEM time!

About

Featuring keynote speaker Jeff Remington, this year’s theme will explore all things STEM in afterschool. As one of ten National STEM Teacher Ambassadors, an international STEM advocate, trainer, and consultant, Jeff has a unique perspective of how the daily practice of STEM impacts the big picture of educational systems tied to a global 21st Century economy.

This year’s conference will be held at Toftrees Golf Resort in State College, PA. Click here to make reservations.

Participants will receive PQAS hours, but must provide their Registry ID number upon registration. For Act 48 credits, participants must submit their PPID number, complete necessary paperwork, and pay a $10 fee.

National and State Experts Will Discuss:

    • STEM in afterschool
    • STEM career readiness
    • 21st-century skills
    • Makerspaces
    • Implementing STEM

Registration

To register for the conference, visit the event webpage.

Group discounts are available for organizations registering four or more participants. To receive the group discount, all group attendees must be a PENN SACCA Comprehensive Member.

Learn More

For more information, visit the event webpage or contact

PSAYDN Annual Partners’ Retreat

News

PSAYDN Annual Partners’ Retreat

Focusing on policy development, coordination of quality initiatives, and sustainability, the PSAYDN Annual Partners’ Retreat provides professional development opportunities for OST professionals, school administrators, teachers, nonprofits, policymakers, and more. Register here to attend.

PSAYDN Retreat and PENN SACCA Conference

For the first time, the PSAYDN Retreat and PENN SACCA Conference will run consecutively to provide additional opportunities for OST advocates and professionals to receive professional development and participate in networking activities.

National and State Experts Will Discuss:

  • STEM and Advocacy
  • Career Pathways
  • Social-Emotional Learning
  • Behavioral Development
  • Substance Abuse Prevention
  • Sustainability and Partnerships
  • Leadership Development

Act 48 credits available.

CDA Credential

News

January 28, 2018

CDA Credential

Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential

A Child Development Associate (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 CDA Credential is based on a core set of competency standards that guide early learning professionals in their work to build on their professional experience and expertise.

As a nationally recognized credential, a CDA Credential enables early learning professionals to work in Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms, in addition to early learning programs across the United States of America. Several topics are studied in a CDA program, including, but not limited to:

  • A healthy and safe learning environment
  • Physical, cognitive, language and creative development
  • Social and emotional development
  • Positive guidance
  • Creating positive relationships with families
  • Program and classroom management
  • Observation and assessments
  • Professionalism in early childhood education

By earning a CDA Credential, early learning professionals strengthen their professional skill sets, gain opportunities to advance their careers, increase their confidence in the classroom, and reinforce their commitment to support young children and families. 

 

 

Trying Together CDA Credential Program

Trying Together’s Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Program offers 135 hours of professional development over the course of approximately six months, focused on practice knowledge and skills early learning professionals need to become credentialed. Educators attend live Zoom sessions and complete self-paced online coursework, receive support from an experienced instructor, and are eligible to apply to receive a nationally recognized credential after their exam and observation.

Program participants can matriculate up to nine course credits at Carlow University or Community College of Allegheny College (CCAC) or up to 12 credits at Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC) once they obtain their CDA credential. 

This program is intended for early learning professionals in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Trying Together offers this program at a community-based level with the support of various funding and development partners, including the PDO at PASSHE, The Buhl Foundation, and The Pennsylvania Key.

A limited number of computers are available through the Trying Together technology lending program for individuals who qualify. These devices must be returned at the end of the program.

Program Options

Through the program, early learning professionals choose the CDA Credential in their desired age group. 

  • Center-based Infant and Toddler CDA –  for educators who work with children from birth through 36 months
  • Center-based Preschool CDA –  for educators who work with children ages 3 to 5 years.
  • Center-based Birth to Five CDA– for educators who work with children from birth to 5 years
  • Family Child Care CDA – for educators who work with children ages birth through 5 in a family child care home setting.

By the time they apply for their exam, candidates are required to have 480 working hours in the last three years with the age group for which they are seeking to be credentialed. Please note: candidates choosing the Birth to Five CDA credential must divide the required 480 hours equally between each age group (infant, toddler, and preschool), for a total of 160 hours working hours for each group. 

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this program, individuals must:

    • reside in the state of Pennsylvania,
    • have obtained a high school diploma or GED,
    • work in a Keystone STARS early learning program, and
    • work a minimum average of 25 hours per week over an entire work year (during non-COVID times).

Request More Information

If you are interested in participating in Trying Together’s CDA Credential Program, please complete our CDA Credential Program Interest Form.

You are inquiring about Trying Together’s CDA program. After completing the form, a member of our staff will contact you to determine your eligibility and identify a CDA pathway that works best for you.

Requests for information are answered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Questions

For general questions about the program, contact Patty McGee at patricia@tryingtogether.org.

CDA Credential Renewal Support

Trying Together utilizes the guidance offered on The Council for Professional Recognition website. If you have any additional questions, contact Casey Rich at casey@tryingtogether.org or Patty McGee at patricia@tryingtogether.org.

Professional Development Organization (PDO)

The Professional Development Organization (PDO) is a grant-funded educational collaboration among four universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and numerous partner universities, colleges, and community programs across the state to advance the career pathways of the early childhood workforce. PDO funding covers tuition, expenses, and other supports to help eligible early childhood educators earn credit-bearing Child Development Associate (CDA) Credentials, Associate’s Degrees, and Bachelor’s Degrees.

Tuition-Free Courses

Tuition-free courses are eligible for early childhood professionals who:

  • are Pennsylvania residents
  • work in a Keystone STARS program
  • work a minimum average of 25 hours per week over an entire work year (during non-COVID times)

To determine your eligibility, complete the online application. Once your eligibility is confirmed, a PDO liaison from your region will contact you to discuss your professional development options.

Our Work

Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 are partnering with the Early Childhood Education PDO at PASSHE to provide community-based CDA programming. Trying Together provides an Early Childhood Liaison as a member of the PDO Liaison Network to establish and maintain relationships and connections with our region’s early childhood educators, programs, and professional preparatory organizations.

More Information

For more information, contact Alayna Griffiths at agriffiths@ecepdo.org.

Share this flyer with your network.

 

 

All projects featured on this webpage are supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and Pennsylvania’s Department of Education (PDE). For more information, visit dhs.pa.gov and education.pa.gov.