The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that starting July 1, 2019, adjusted income eligibility guidelines will be used to determine the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
About Income Guidelines
Income eligibility for the WIC Program is determined using income standards as prescribed under section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The income limit is 185 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines, as adjusted. Section 9(b) also requires that these guidelines be revised annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index.
The annual revision for 2019 was published by the Department of Health and Human Services on February 1, 2019. In accordance with the established income guidance, the revised WIC income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with WIC regulations.
See the Revised Guidelines
Click here to view the revised WIC Income Guidelines.
More Information
To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania WIC website or call 412.350.5801.
*Information provided by the USDA
Join Buzzword Pittsburgh every Wednesday from July 10 to August 7 for Talk & Play Series 4! All events are free for learners ages five and under, with their caregivers, and will include activities that enhance vocabulary and literacy skills. A light dinner will be provided.
Program Schedule
The schedule of events is as follows:
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- Wednesday, July 10 • Word of the Day: SECRET
with Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Festival Opera
- Wednesday, July 17 • Word of the Day: INFESTED
with Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
- Wednesday, July 24 • Word of the Day: PROTECT
with Carnegie Science Center and Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
- Wednesday, July 31 • Word of the Day: ERUPT
with Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
- Wednesday, August 7 • Word of the Day: SOAR
with Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
More Information
For more information, contact Jan Jones at jan@tryingtogether.org.
Click here to view the Facebook event page.
Reading Is FUNdamental Pittsburgh is seeking volunteers for its Everybody Wins! program.
About
Everybody Wins! is a school-based literacy mentoring program that pairs kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-grade students with a caring adult to build a meaningful relationship while sharing conversation, good books, and literacy-related activities for one hour a week. These consistent, one-on-one experiences increase a child’s opportunity for success, both academically and in life.
Help an elementary student build literacy skills and develop a lifelong love of reading by volunteering as a mentor today!
Volunteer
Interested in volunteering? Sign up by contacting:
Nora Peters, Program Director
412.321.8022, ext. 298
npeters@rifpittsburgh.org
Learn More
To learn more, visit the Reading is FUNdamental Pittsburgh website.
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Join the Partnerships for Family Support Office of Child Development on July 23 to learn how to recognize and support children and families impacted by incarceration and domestic violence. This training is for staff of centers in the Allegheny County Family Support Network.
About
Living in a household with domestic violence is a source of trauma for children. Even if the children don’t see the domestic violence, they are affected by the conflict in their family. Having a parent in jail or prison is also a source of trauma, as parental incarceration may include witnessing a parent being arrested, adjusting to their parent being gone, and adjusting to the return of their parents after serving a sentence.
When exposed to situations of domestic violence or incarceration, children can develop serious emotional and behavioral difficulties, many of which aren’t always recognized by parents or caregivers. As a result, children do not always get the help they need. In this training, participants will learn how to recognize, and support children and families impacted by these traumas.
Registration & More Information
To learn more, ask questions, and register, visit the event page.
Looking for a more in-depth dive into Trauma-Informed Care? Join Debralyn Woodberry Shaw of ELIE Circle, LLC to explore trauma might manifest in your early childhood or youth program.
About
Our past experiences – personal, familial, societal – influence our brain development and shape how we interpret and respond to the world. In this session, youth workers will explore how trauma might manifest in their program. Participants will also learn how self-awareness and a growth mindset aid in creating a Trauma-Informed Community and protect youth workers from the effects of vicarious trauma. Lunch will be provided.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
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- be introduced to the Trauma-Informed Care framework,
- become familiar with the foundations of Trauma-Informed Care,
- understand complex trauma and the parts of the brain related to trauma,
- be introduced to vicarious trauma,
- identify self-care and building resilience techniques,
- reflect on their past experiences and how they influence their interactions with young people, and
- explore the concept of a growth mindset.
Registration and Questions
To register for this workshop, visit APOST’s event page.
For questions, contact APOST at 412.456.6876.
*Information provided by APOST
The Summer Food Service Program is a federal program providing free meals and fun activities to kids 18 and under during the summer when school is out of session.
Who Can Visit A Summer Food Site?
Hundreds of sites are opening this summer throughout Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset and Washington counties. Meals are served free to any kid 18 and under. There is no registration required to participate, kids can visit any site during its specified serving time to receive a free meal.
Find A Summer Food Site Near You
To find a summer food site near you:
More Information
For questions, call the United Way hotline at 2-1-1.
*Information provided by Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Beginning June 17, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will offer free summer meals/snacks to Pittsburgh youth on weekdays through August 23.
About
In summer 2019, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will continue its participation in the Summer Food Service Program in order to ensure even more Pittsburgh youth have access to free food during summer vacation. Meals and activities will be provided during times listed below while supplies last and are for youth ages 18 and younger, and for persons with disabilities up to age 21.
Meals are being offered locally in collaboration with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Pittsburgh CitiParks as part of the federally funded Summer Food Service Program.
Program Schedule
This program is available Monday – Friday at the following locations (unless otherwise specified):
More Information
For questions, contact the Library of Pittsburgh via phone at 412.622.3114.
*Information provided by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Beginning Fall 2019, applicants will apply for the Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Program through the PD Registry.
About the Program
The Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Program pays 95% of tuition costs for eligible college coursework taken by early learning professionals, with a maximum benefit of $6,000 per individual each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). The program covers tuition costs only and does not include books, materials, or fees. Tuition costs net of other funding sources such as scholarships, stipends, discounts, or grants (except the Pell Grant) are used to determine the amount of assistance. It is recommended completed applications be submitted at least four weeks prior to the start of the course, or prior to the tuition due date, whichever is first.
Access the Program Before Fall 2019
During the transition, The Pennsylvania Key is still currently accepting applications for the 2018-19 fiscal year and summer classes. Early learning professionals taking coursework beginning before fall semester are welcome to apply using the current process in the Portal. At this time, applications will not be reviewed for the fall semester.
More Information
For new eligibility requirements and to stay up-to-date on the ongoing changes, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.
*Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key
Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh on Sunday, June 9 from Noon – 5 p.m. in Oakland for its annual Summer Reading Extravaganza to kick things off. Families can enroll in the Summer Reading program and enjoy music, crafts, games, storytelling, food trucks, and more.
Activities
Library activities include:
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- Family PlayShop,
- Global Library,
- Bouncy House,
- Inflatable Games,
- Chess Club,
- DataBurgh,
- Creative Tech and Super Science,
- Historical Tours of Main Library (offered in English and in Chinese),
- and more!
Learn More
To learn more about the Summer Reading Extravaganza, visit the event website.
Join Promising Futures on May 30 for a webinar exploring ways in which early childhood professionals and programs can support children and families affected by domestic violence.
About
Domestic violence harms many families with young children. However, early childhood teachers and caregivers can help children heal. Further, early childhood programs can support healthy development and work to stop domestic violence in their communities. Join Promising Futures for this upcoming webinar to learn how early childhood programs can help families affected by domestic violence. Presenters will share strategies, tools, and resources created in partnership with The National Center on Parent, Family and Community Engagement.
Presenters:
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- Virginia Duplessis, MSW, Program Director, Futures Without Violence
- Mie Fukuda, MA, Senior Program Specialist, Futures Without Violence
Registration
To register for this event, visit their webinar page.
Questions
For more information, contact Graciela Olguin at golguin@futureswithoutviolence.org.
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