News

November 8, 2019

Pennsylvania Announces 2019 Market Rate Survey

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) invites all Pennsylvania certified child care providers to participate in the 2019 Market Rate Survey.

About

Every three years, states conduct a Market Rate Survey (MRS) to update information regarding the prices child care providers charge families. With the last official MRS conducted in 2016, OCDEL invites all certified child care providers in Pennsylvania to submit their published private pay rates. By providing this information, child care providers help OCDEL paint a more accurate picture of child care prices in Pennsylvania and will provide an important database to compare private pay prices with the Child Care Works reimbursement base rates.

How to Participate

The survey is available online from October 7 through December 30, 2019 within the PELICAN Provider Self-Service Portal. Participation will require a username and password to enter. For assistance on enrolling in Provider Self-Service or updating your child care prices if you do not have access to Provider Self-Service, contact your local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC).

Information from all child care providers is important, even if your private pay prices have not changed. If your prices remained the same, please update the “effective date” within the Provider Self-Service Portal. Any changes made between October 7 and December 30, 2019 will be included.

Click here for instructions on how to complete the Survey using Provider Self-Service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Market Rate Survey?

In order to comply with federal requirements and continue to draw down federal dollars from the Child Care Development Block Grant for the operation of the Child Care Works (CCW) child care subsidy program, OCDEL is required to complete a periodic Market Rate Survey (MRS). The MRS collects information from all regulated child care providers about their published private pay rates. Providers should participate in the MRS and confirm or report updates to their private pay rates using Provider Self Service (PSS) or, if not enrolled in PSS, by contacting their Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC).

What does the term “market rate” mean?

The “market rate” is interpreted as the rate which families are asked to pay, and which is published in program literature. The market rate does not reflect any discounts.

Will I be audited for updating my published rates?

Probably not. OCDEL has required verification in the past, and ELRCs have on occasion called a sampling of providers to check, but this is not the plan for this year’s MRS. However, providers should still only share published rates that they can verify if needed, and is the rate charged to most families.

What qualifies as a “discount?”

“Discounts” reflect allowances for families to pay a lower rate. For example, Comcast advertises its rate to clients, but frequently offers specials and discounts for loyal customers and new clients. Child care providers who typically charge $100 but who can offer discounts and specials to lower the price to $80 should still report their rate as $100. The MRS is not designed to capture any discounts that individual providers may choose to offer; it captures ONLY a provider’s published private pay rate.

What do they mean by “published?”

“Publishing” includes your website, your family handbook, any written contracts, or the rate visible on COMPASS.

What is the Child Care Works (CCW) reimbursement rate?

The Child Care Works (CCW) reimbursement rate is the rate that providers are reimbursed by the state for providing care to children who are eligible for CCW. This rate is based on the current market rate as provided through the MRS and is determined in part during the appropriations process. Because many providers also serve children who are not eligible for CCW reimbursement, providers must maintain a separate market rate for private pay families, and report this rate when completing their MRS rather than the CCW reimbursement rate.

Why participate in the Market Rate Survey?

It is important that each provider updates their private pay rates so that OCDEL has the necessary data to consider future Child Care Works base rate increases.

Learn More

To learn more, view the full announcement or contact your local ELRC.

*Information provided by OCDEL

News

October 30, 2019

OCDEL Announces New Community Survey

About

Every five years, states have the opportunity to learn about the well-being of families of young children in local communities. Pennsylvania is asking any individual living in the state to complete this short survey. Through the data collected, Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) will better understand the resources for families living in your community. Survey responses will be used statewide and locally to inform Family Support Services, such as parenting classes and home visiting services.

Hearing from everyone is important! Whether you’re a parent or a provider of family and early childhood services, please complete and share this survey.

Take the OCDEL Community Survey

In English

Please take about five to ten minutes to complete the survey. Your input is critical to informing stakeholders about the factors that may affect the well-being of young children and families in communities across Pennsylvania.

If you wish to complete the OCDEL Community Survey in English, enter the following link into your web browser: is.gd/surveypa

En Español

Le pedimos que pase entre 5 a 10 minutos para contestar la encuesta. Sus aportes son muy importantes para nosotros ya que nos ayudarán a identificar y comprender los factores que pueden afectar la salud dentro de su familia y su comunidad en Pennsylvania.

Si desea completar la encuesta en español, meter el enlace siguiente en su navegador de internet: is.gd/encuestapa

More Information

To learn more, read the full announcement.

*Information provided by OCDEL

News

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.

News

August 15, 2019

PBEOC: Back to School Celebration

Join the Pittsburgh Black Elected Officials Coalition (PBEOC) for their Back to School Celebration!

About

This celebration serves as the sixth in a series of monthly meetings with PBEOC members. At the celebration, members will share highlights on their 2018 activities on behalf of the residents of Pittsburgh, as well as next inclusive steps.

This meeting is intended for residents in Pittsburgh and will feature free school supplies, cash prize giveaways, entertainment, and parent and student resources. Additional resources and opportunities in alignment with the education section of the Pittsburgh Peace and Justice Initiative will be shared with the community.

Registration

Registration for this event is required and can be completed via the Eventbrite page.

More Information

For more information, contact PBEOC via their online form.

News

August 2, 2019

#WeArePPS Event

This August, Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) will be hosting its annual back to school event, #WeArePPS.

About

Every year, the district welcomes thousands of families through this event that is designed to help equip them with the resources necessary to achieve a healthy start to the 2019-20 school year. #WeArePPS is open to all current PPS students and will include a parent resource fair. This event is in alignment with the district’s mission to serve students and schools and create effective family and community partnerships in every school.

More Information

For more information or questions, call the PPS Parent Hotline at 412.529.HELP (412.529.4357) or email parenthotline@pghschools.org. The hotline operates Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

News

July 3, 2019

Kindergarten: Here I Come!

At this annual event, children entering kindergarten experience a day full of fun and helpful resources, activities, and learning from Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh staff and their partners from around the city to help celebrate this amazing milestone and transition.

Activities

Visitors can look forward to:

    • free museum admission for one kindergarten student and one accompanying adult,
    • back-to-school giveaways, and
    • delicious snacks and treats.

More Information

For more information, visit the event page.

News

July 1, 2019

Theiss Community Resource Fair

Join the Family Engagement Team of the Matilda H. Theiss Early Childhood Behavioral Health and Trauma Treatment Center on August 23 for the Theiss Community Resource Fair.

About

Held at the Hill House Association, the Theiss Community Resource Fair seeks to provide families and the community with information about local organizations and opportunities to engage with Allegheny County Community Providers that serve families and children.

More Information

For more information or to host a table, contact  Ms. Dee Burgess at 412.383.1557.

Share this flyer with your network.

News

May 23, 2019

Addressing Domestic Violence in ECE Programs

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:
    • 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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News

May 14, 2019

Come Play!

Guided by the staff at Trying Together, Come Play! is a weekly opportunity for family and group child care providers to bring their enrolled children for hands-on professional development.

Provider Benefits

By participating, providers will receive:

  • PQAS / Act 48 Hours
  • Mentoring
  • Program Resources

Questions

For more information or to ask questions, contact Theresa Hetler at 412.421.3889 or theresa@tryingtogether.org.

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News

May 13, 2019

Lunch & Learn: Sensory Learning & the Autism Spectrum

Join Parents in Toto Autism Resource Center, Seneca Valley School District, and Remake Learning to discuss the importance of sensory learning for youth on the autism spectrum, benefits of this learning, and the parent resources that are available.

About

Educators, administrators, community organization leaders, and parents are highly encouraged to attend and take part in this important conversation surrounding differently-abled youth in the region. Lunch will be served. More details and accessibility will be noted in an email closer to the event.

For any dietary restrictions or requests, email Allie at allie@remakelearning.org. The deadline for restriction requests is June 19, 2019.

Registration

This event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, visit the event webpage.

For questions about the event or accessibility, email Allie at allie@remakelearning.org.