Medication Administration in ECE Settings | Webinar

News

January 27, 2020

Medication Administration in ECE Settings | Webinar

Join the American Academy of Pediatrics on February 4 for their one-hour webinar to learn more about two medication administration training tools available for child care health consultants, early learning program directors, health managers, health care professionals, and others to use to help meet national early education and child care training requirements in the area of medication administration.

Learning Objectives

Participants will learn about:

    • the important role medication administration training plays in early childhood settings;
    • a new free online medication administration module for any early learning provider; and
    • a free, downloadable medication administration training curriculum that can be tailored for your audience’s needs.

Registration

This webinar is free and registration is required. To register and learn more, visit the event page.

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships for Family Child Care Providers

News

January 8, 2020

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships for Family Child Care Providers

Did you know that T.E.A.C.H. has scholarship models specifically available for family child care providers? If you are a family provider who is considering pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education, T.E.A.C.H. can help you get started and graduate debt-free! Join the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) for their webinar on January 15 to learn more.

About

Join this webinar to learn more about the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship Program and how it works for family child care providers. Presenters will provide an overview of scholarship requirements, the application process, financial aid types, and how to get enrolled in college for the upcoming semester(s). Time for questions will be provided.

Registration

To register, visit the webinar link.

Head Start Coaching Companion Available

News

December 19, 2019

Head Start Coaching Companion Available

If you are an early care and education professional who is interested in receiving coaching feedback and sharing videos, consider using the Head Start Coaching Companion!

About

By utilizing the Head Start Coaching Companion, early childhood professionals will view examples of teaching practices, record their teaching interactions, and track their progress using three major components of Practice-Based Coaching (PBC), including:

    • shared goals and action planning;
    • focused observation; and
    • reflection and feedback.

Though PBC was designed with Head Start programs in mind, it aligns with a variety of coaching models.

Requirements

To utilize the Head Start Coaching Companion, professionals should have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with basic video editing software; a digital video camera, tablet, or smartphone with video capability; and reliable internet access. Video footage will be utilized to record teaching interactions.

See the Head Start Coaching Companion handout to learn more.

Learn More

To get started, educators can submit a Coaching Companion application and learn more online. View the Coaching Companion PDF or email coachingcompanion@eclkc.info for additional information.

*Information provided via Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5

Setting Your Rates: The Cost of Quality

News

December 17, 2019

Setting Your Rates: The Cost of Quality

Join the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) on January 6 for “Setting Your Rates: The Cost of Quality and the Market Rate Survey” to gain a better understanding of the variables that impact quality, how to incorporate those key elements into your budget, and identify and combine funding streams to achieve your program goals.

About

Child Care Works subsidy rates are established by OCDEL based in part on the private pay rates providers report in PELICAN. Are your rates based on your actual costs? How much does “quality” child care really cost and how do you calculate that? Join PACCA to hear from experienced administrators of high-quality programs on how they budget for the true cost of quality and the funding/support needed to achieve high-quality based on their program standards. Hear tips and learn about resources to ensure your budget reflects your goals and the true costs of operating a quality child care program.

Registration

To register, visit the PACCA website.

Learn More

For questions, contact Maureen Murphy at 717.657.9000, x 107.

*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA)

NAFCC Calls for National Conference Workshop Proposals

News

December 12, 2019

NAFCC Calls for National Conference Workshop Proposals

The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) is currently seeking workshop proposals for the 30th National Family Child Care Conference, taking place in Norfolk, Virginia July 15-18, 2020. NAFCC works to support and leverage a nationwide network of providers and partners in expanding and promoting the power of family child care.

About

Workshop proposals should focus on family child care providers and the many qualities that make family child care unique to early care and education. Attendees are looking for sessions that focus on practical solutions to increase their knowledge and effectiveness; to engage and challenge their thinking; and to nurture their purpose, creativity, and professional excellence. Presenters should focus their content for the various roles in family child care, such as:

    • family child care providers;
    • early Head Start community;
    • child nutrition community;
    • coaches, mentors, and trainers;
    • family child care networks; and/or
    • state agencies.

Many conference attendees have a strong background in family child care and programs, so advanced level workshops are encouraged, as are Spanish speaking presentations.

Submit Your Proposal

If you’re interested in submitting a workshop proposal, visit the NAFCC website. Proposals must be submitted by January 15, 2020. Click here to learn more.

*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key

Environment Rating Scale (ERS) 101

News

December 9, 2019

Environment Rating Scale (ERS) 101

This 2-hour seminar is part of the Keystone STARS Core training series an is a pre-requisite for the ITERS-R, ECERS-R, or SACERS seminars. Participants will learn how the Environment Rating Scale (ERS) measures quality; how the ERS scales are used in PA; and how to accurately score the ERS. Upon completion of this seminar, participants will be properly prepared for the specific scale PD seminars: 201 ITERS-R; 202 ECERS-R; 203 SACERS.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

    • describe the purpose and intent of the ERS;
    • identify how the scales measure quality;
    • identify how to use the scales to conduct a self-assessment; and
    • prepare participants for specific ERS professional development.

This session was developed by the PA Key Program Quality Assessment team and includes content used with the permission of the ERS authors. The session is facilitated by a PA Key Program Quality Assessor reliable in the ERS instruments. If you have taken an ITERS-R, ECERS-R, and/or a SACERS prior to July 2007, this course is not required. PQAS hours provided.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.

PD Registry Event ID: 309219

More Information

For questions, contact Michelle Long at miclon@pakeys.org.

*Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key

Professionalism–Styles and Dispositions in the Workplace

News

Professionalism–Styles and Dispositions in the Workplace

This three-week online course will allow early care and education professionals to communicate, reflect, and update the professional styles they may use or want to use to improve in the field of early childhood education. Today’s early childhood professional must demonstrate knowledge of the skills, styles, and dispositions required to succeed in the workplace. This requires a commitment to the profession, including commitments to their regular work environment and beyond. Using activities and resources, this course provides participants with strategies to adopt positive and ethical habits that will serve them personally and professionally. Limited spaces available.

Course Information

  • Timeline: January 27–February 10, 2020
  • Trainer: Jasmine Davis
  • CKC: K6.9 C2
  • Keystone STARS & CDA Alignment : LM 3.4.3 / CDA:6
  • All courses offer PQAS and Act 48 hours ($15/Three hours).

Registration

To register, complete the form below.

Learn More

For more information, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

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Trying Together Releases Professional Development Catalog

News

December 5, 2019

Trying Together Releases Professional Development Catalog

Focusing on early childhood professionals working in home-, center-, and school-based settings, Trying Together offers existing and customized growth opportunities targeted to individual or group goals, interests, and needs. To increase awareness of these opportunities, Trying Together developed an online, printable 2019-2020 Professional Development Catalog that features course titles, descriptions, Core Knowledge Competency (CKC) alignments, and more.

About

For more than 55 years, Trying Together has supported the work of early childhood with a dedication to making sure every caregiver feels valued. In pursuit of this vision, Trying Together not only offers courses that always provide Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS) and Act 48 credits, but also offers a plethora of professional growth opportunities, resources, and services. With this, Trying Together partnered with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services in summer 2019 to manage quality support for all Allegheny County early learning programs serviced by Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5.

As part of this work, we are continuing and enhancing our commitment to providing quality services and supports that meet the unique needs of our region’s early care and education professionals. This work includes making our course catalog available publicly. With the year almost over, we are working to update and add more course offerings to ensure we are meeting the demands of both the field and new quality ratings and standards set by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s (OCDEL) Keystone STARS Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). In early 2020, we plan to release a comprehensive update to this catalog. In the interim, we look forward to working together with you to support your goals and improve quality at your early learning program.

View the 2019-2020 Professional Development Catalog.

Core Knowledge Competencies (CKCs)

Trying Together’s courses align with the following Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies:

    • K1: Child Growth and Development
    • K2: Curriculum and Learning Experiences
    • K3: Family, School, and Community Collaborations and Partnerships
    • K4: Assessment
    • K5: Communication
    • K6: Professionalism and Leadership
    • K8: Program Organization and Administration

Featured Focus Areas

To assist professionals in identifying relevant courses, the Catalog sorts listings into the following focus areas:

    • Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Interactions
    • Leadership
    • Play

All Trying Together courses provide PQAS and Act 48 credit.

Request Professional Services

To request professional services, please submit our online request form or contact Professional Development Manager Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org or 412.567.3933.

More Information

For more information, contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org or 412.567.3933.

2020 Early Childhood Education Advocacy Fellowship

News

November 26, 2019

2020 Early Childhood Education Advocacy Fellowship

Trying Together invites early care and education professionals to apply to its 2020 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Advocacy Fellowship to strengthen their voice as an early childhood advocate. Online applications are being accepted now through Tuesday, December 31 at 11:59 p.m.

About

In this nine-month program, ECE Advocacy Fellows:

    • develop their role as a “change-maker”;
    • harness their leadership skills;
    • learn to use research-based communication strategies to build positive impact;
    • gain knowledge of public policy processes and key players, and their effect on their work; and
    • receive a stipend (along with their employer) for their time.

At this time, Trying Together offers the fellowship program at no cost to the participant and will provide lunch and snacks at each session. Travel stipends are available on a case-by-case basis.

Intended Audience

Trying Together’s ECE Advocacy Fellowship has been designed for professionals working in the early care and education field, including:

    • center administrators and teachers;
    • family child care providers;
    • school-age child care providers;
    • Head Start teachers;
    • pre-k teachers;
    • PK-4 teachers and principals;
    • home visitors;
    • trainers;
    • professors of higher education; and
    • child care resource and referral professionals.

Session Details

From January–September 2020, Fellows will meet as a group on the last Tuesday of each month (tentatively) from 12:00-4:00 p.m. Dates are subject to change but will be finalized in January 2020. Participants should expect an additional two to four hours of work every month. We recognize that conflicts may arise unexpectedly, but each participant should plan to participate in all program activities if accepted into the Fellowship.

At each workshop, an informed early childhood, public policy, or community leader will facilitate, drawing on information from regional or national experts to share the latest news, research, and strategies to improve early childhood public policy. Workshops will include opportunities for networking, professional growth, and community development.

Application Details

Online applications are being accepted now through Tuesday, December 31 at 11:59 p.m. Our selection committee seeks to admit an evenly balanced cohort with regard to geography, diversity, experience, interest, etc. All participants will be notified by the first week of January 2020.

To apply, visit the ECE Advocacy Fellowship page.

More Information

For more information about our public policy efforts at Trying Together, contact Cristina Codario by email at cristina@tryingtogether.org or by calling 412.567.3673.

PD Registry & Career Pathway | Director Webinar

News

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.