News

News

September 3, 2020

Single Mom Defined: Babysitting Cooperative

Attention single moms! Single Mom Defined launched a new countywide babysitting cooperative to strengthen single mom’s support systems and provide mothers with temporary relief to address personal needs such as sleep, medical treatment, or alone time.

About

Through Single Mom Defined’s babysitting cooperative, mothers will take turns watching each other’s children and participate in online and in-person programs at no cost. Participating mothers will also receive training and certifications, such as CPR.

Eligibility

Single Mom Defined’s babysitting cooperative is open to mothers in Clairton, East Hills, Homewood (including Lincoln, Larimer, and Lemington), and the Hilltop (including Arlington, Beltzhoover, and Knoxville). Space is limited.

To become a member, complete the online Babysitting Co-Op Interest Form. After submitting the form, a member of the Single Mom Defined team will contact you to follow up.

More Information

For questions, email hello@singlemomdefined.com.

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News

August 20, 2020

First Up Annual Conferences (Virtual)

Due to current concerns, First Up has transitioned the First Up Annual Conference to a virtual platform for 2020-21. The Conference will feature multiple half-day virtual conference experiences on a range of topics.

Available Conferences

    • Family Child Care Conference
      Saturday, September 26  |  8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  |  Ticket Fee: $15 – $30

      Early childhood professionals are invited to join First Up at the first Family and Group Child Care Conference. This event will be a time of inspiration, reflection, and learning as participants begin their day of honoring the Trailblazers of Family Child Care and hearing their wisdom and advice.

    • Personal Empowerment for the ECE Professional 
      Saturday, October 3  |  8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  |  Ticket Fee: $15 – $30

      Early childhood professionals are invited to join First Up for a morning of personal empowerment and professional development. Featuring workshops on financial stability, professional communication, and other best practices in ECE, this Conference will help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

Online Event Platform

The First Up Conferences will be held via an immersive event platform called Accelevents. To learn more about Accelevents and what to expect, visit their website. To access the full experience, it is recommended that attendees participate via a computer or laptop.

Receiving Credit

Each Conference will offer 4.5 PA Keys (PD Registry) and/or PA Act 48 credit hours. If you are interested in receiving credit, you must indicate the type of credit you would like to receive during registration. Any credit requests made more than 30 days post-event cannot be guaranteed. A Certificate of Attendance will be available for download in the Conference Platform or by email following the event.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the First Up website.

More Information

For more information, visit the First Up website or contact rebecca.tyrrell@firstup.org.

News

August 10, 2020

Child Care Virtual Conference

Join Child Care Lounge and other early learning professionals on August 18 for the Child Care Virtual Conference!

About

The Child Care Virtual Conference will feature over 15 live sessions. Registration includes access to three live Zoom sessions and one month of free access to all recorded sessions. Certificates will be issued for each class that had documented attendance.

Featured Topics

Presenters will explore a variety of child care topics, including, but not limited to, the following:

    • preventing teacher burnout,
    • supporting young children who display challenging behaviors,
    • establishing a DAP classroom through virtual learning,
    • fostering social skills while maintaining social distancing,
    • thriving in a responsive classroom, and
    • strategies to surviving a recession.

To see an overview of each session, visit the PD Registry website.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the Child Care Lounge website. After you register, you will receive a link to the Conference portal as well as a passcode for entry.

More Information

For questions, contact Joni Levine at 412.885.5172 or joni@childcarelounge.com.

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News

July 2, 2020

ZERO TO THREE Annual Conference

Are you interested in learning about the latest early childhood research and connecting with thousands of fellow educators from around the world? Join ZERO TO THREE from October 5-9 for their Virtual Annual Conference!

About

This year’s virtual conference will give participants the added flexibility to be connected safely to thousands of colleagues from around the world; be inspired through an immersive experience into the latest research and education; and be prepared to move their practice forward in our changing and challenging world.

The conference package includes five days of exceptional programming and 30 days of exclusive, on-demand access to recorded sessions. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are included. Pre-Conference Forums will be available as well from September 22 to October 1 for an additional fee. Each Forum package includes a single two-day Forum event and 30-day access to the recorded session. CEUs are included.

Featured Sessions

The conference features many presentations and breakout sessions, including, but not limited to the following:

    • Bringing Self-Compassion and Care Home: Learning by Nurturing
    • Supporting Healthy Development Through Meaningful Relationships With Mother Nature, a Growing Global Movement
    • Operation HealthySteps: Promoting Safe Childcare Practices Across a Large Medical System
    • Where Trauma and Grief Collide: CPP With Child Traumatic Grief
    • How to Incorporate Mindfulness Techniques Into Family-Based Practices With Infants and Toddlers
    • Interrogating Whiteness in Early Intervention
    • Equity and Inclusion in Family Engagement Programs

See the full schedule.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the event webpage. Member and group discounts are available. If you require any assistance with your registration, contact the Customer Support team at 855.868.1192

News

May 7, 2020

Keeping Our Children Well During COVID-19

Join former American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) president, Colleen Kraft, MD, FAAP, for a discussion on how early care and education (ECE) providers can support families’ medical care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

About

ECE programs can support families’ access to needed medical care. The AAP recommends children under 24 months maintain their Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) immunization schedule to prevent the breakout of communicable diseases. Many pediatricians are conducting well-child visits through telehealth appointments. However, families may be struggling to access these services. To learn how ECE providers can support families’ medical care during the pandemic, register to attend this webinar.

Registration

To register, visit the event webpage. The registration link can be used for both the live event and on-demand viewing. The recording will be available to watch on-demand starting 30 minutes after the live event ends, until May 31, 2020. Because access to the live event is limited and the session may be full, event hosts recommend watching the webinar on-demand.

A version with English closed captions will also be posted on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) in the future.

News

March 27, 2020

Pennsylvania Adjusts Mail-In Ballot Deadlines for COVID-19

Pennsylvania is now offering two options that community members can choose from to submit their vote if they are unable to get to the polls on election day, including mail-in and absentee ballots. Registered voters can submit either ballot via mail or in person at their County Election Office. Election and deadline dates for ballots have now changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

About

Thanks to sweeping reforms included in Act 77 of 2019, which take effect for the first time in the upcoming 2020 primary election, mail-in ballots will be available as an effort to increase voter access and security. Mail-in ballots not only offer an additional option for voters who are unable to make it to the polls but also provide a new option for Pennsylvanians who do not qualify for absentee ballots. Both mail-in and absentee voters will receive a ballot in the mail to complete and return to their county election office by 8 p.m. on election day (June 2, 2020).

In order to request either ballot type, you must be registered to vote. Visit Check Your Registration Status to review your registration information. The deadline for voter registration is now May 18, 2020

Absentee Ballots

If you plan to be out of the municipality on election day or if you have a disability or illness, you can request an absentee ballot. Voters will be required to list the reason for submitting this ballot type. This ballot type is best suited for:

    • college students who are not registered to vote at their school address,
    • people whose work or vacation take them away from the municipality where they live,
    • those with a physical disability or illness that prevents them from going to the polling place,
    • members of the military,
    • people who may have a conflict due to the celebration of a religious holiday, and
    • inmates who haven’t be convicted of a felony.
Submit an Application

Applications to receive an absentee ballot for the 2020 primary election must be received by your County Election Office by 5 p.m. on May 26, 2020. Complete the online application by clicking here.

Special election voters can apply for an absentee ballot by completing the paper application form and submitting it to your County Election Office.

Mail-In Ballots

If you aren’t an absentee voter, you may apply for a mail-in ballot. Voters will not be required to list a reason for submitting this ballot type. This ballot type is suited for any person who wishes to submit their vote without visiting a polling place. Please note that mail-in ballots are not available for any election prior to the 2020 primary election.

As of April 17, 2020, all registered voters in Allegheny County will receive a mail-in ballot application in the mail for the June 2 primary election due to the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis. Applications will be mailed with postage-paid addressed envelopes for community members to return their completed applications. Registered voters can also apply online to receive a mail-in ballot.

Submit an Application

Applications to receive a mail-in ballot for the 2020 primary election must be received by your County Election Office by 5 p.m. on May 26, 2020. Complete the online application by clicking here. After receiving your ballot in the mail, your completed ballot must be received no later than 8 p.m. on June 2, 2020.

Registering to Vote

Community members must register to vote at least 15 days before the election. To participate in the 2020 Primary Election, voter registrations must be submitted by May 18, 2020. Individuals can register to vote online, by mail, in person at your county voter registration office, or at a number of government agencies, including PennDOT Photo License and Driver’s License Centers.

For more information on eligibility and registering to vote in Pennsylvania, visit the Votes PA website.

More Information

Visit the Votes PA website for more information on mail-in and absentee ballots, registering to vote in Pennsylvania, what to expect as a first-time voter, upcoming elections, and more.

Information provided by Votes PA and Keystone Votes 

For more information on COVID-19, please visit our COVID-19 Resources page here.

News

March 19, 2020

UnConference Postponed Due to COVID-19 Concerns

Due to the presence of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Allegheny County and many other Pennsylvania communities, Trying Together has decided to postpone the UnConference: Exceptional Care with a Team Approach to Inclusion, originally scheduled for March 28, 2020.

About

Trying Together has made this decision out of care for our community and partners, following the Allegheny County Department of Health’s lead and recommendation to postpone large group events. We are sorry for any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause. Like many of those who registered to attend, our organization was very excited about this UnConference topic, our great line-up of workshop presenters, and keynote speaker.

We are actively working with our co-host, The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh, to reschedule this UnConference to a later date. Please know that this is a postponement, not a cancellation. Trying Together will provide further information in April when more concrete information is available.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility. Keep up the good handwashing!

More Information

For more information about COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health. For questions regarding this postponement, contact Trying Together at info@tryingtogether.org.

News

June 3, 2019

The 10th Annual PA Infant Mental Health Conference

Join the Pennsylvania Association for Infant Mental Health (PA-AIMH) on August 1 and 2 for the 10th Annual PA Infant Mental Health Conference.

Keynote Topics

PA-AIMH strives to provide a meaningful professional learning environment for all cross-sector professionals working with very young children and their families. Keynote topics will include:

    • Infant and early childhood mental health-focused policy and messaging;
    • Clinical interventions;
    • Disaster and critical incident response; and
    • Reflective supervision and practice.

PQAS and Act 48 credits available for professionals in the Early Childhood Education system.

Keynote Speakers

    • Jordana ​Ash, ​LCSW, ​IMH-E
      Director ​of ​Early ​Childhood ​Mental ​Health ​Director, ​State ​of ​Colorado
    • ​Sherryl ​Scott ​Heller, ​Ph.D.
      Associate ​Professor ​of ​Clinical ​Psychiatry, ​Tulane ​University
    • ​Joy ​Osofsky, ​Ph.D.
      ​Professor ​of ​Pediatrics, ​Psychiatry, ​and ​Public ​Health ​Head, ​Division ​of ​Pediatric ​Mental ​Health, ​Louisiana ​State ​University
    • Christopher ​Watson, ​Ph.D., ​IMH-E ​
      Director ​of ​the ​Center ​for ​Reflective ​Practice ​at ​the ​Center ​for ​Early ​Education ​and ​Development, ​University ​of ​Minnesota-Twin ​Cities ​ ​

Registration

To register, visit the event website.

Registration cost:

    • Member: $315
    • General: $350

More Information

For more information, visit the event website.

For questions, contact PA-AIMH via email at pa-aimh@pa.-aimh.org.

News

May 14, 2019

Imagination Library Online Registration Now Open

On April 27, 2019, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto announced that a new program will offer free monthly books to Pittsburgh children from birth to age five. The program is currently accepting applications from parents and guardians.

About the Program

The free book program – in conjunction with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Benter Foundation, and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania – will mail all eligible children an age-appropriate book every month up until their fifth birthday. Participating children will receive their first book through the U.S. Postal Services six to eight weeks after the registration form has been received.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, preschoolers must:

    • be a resident of the City of Pittsburgh,
    • have a parent or guardian fill out an official registration form, and
    • notify the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania of any address changes.

Registration

To sign up for this program, register your children online via the Imagination Library website!

Interested in mailing in or submitting your registration in person? See their webpage for more details.

More Information

For any questions, please contact Tiffini Simoneaux via email (tiffini.simoneaux@pittsburghpa.gov) or phone (412.255.2505).