August 21, 2020 Building a Pipeline for African American Students in Technology Join the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans (WHIEEAA) on August 25 for their webinar, “Building a Pipeline for African American Students in Technology.” About WHIEEAA established the African American Education (AfAmEd) Connector Roundtable Series in June 2020 to address gaps and opportunities for African Americans students and families, and to highlight programs, policies, and practices that accelerate the learning and development of Black students of all ages. This discussion, moderated by newly appointed Executive Director Terris Todd, will enable participants to have access to information, resources, best and promising practices from ED, other federal agencies, and the field. WHIEEAA will highlight ways to successfully engage and systematically support Black students through access to technology and exposure to career opportunities. Registration To register, visit the event webpage. Share this flyer with your network.
August 7, 2020 Brown Mamas Launches Mama Mentorship Initiative Are you interested in receiving advice, resource assistance, and emotional support from a mama mentor? Sign up to join Brown Mamas’ new Mama Mentorship program! About Motherhood can be tough, and it becomes even more challenging when you don’t have anyone to ask for advice, assist in resource acquisition, and lean on for mental and emotional support. That’s why Brown Mamas launched its Mama Mentorship Initiative. By galvanizing the collective knowledge in the Black mothering community, Brown Mamas will provide their moms with access to a group of mothering elders who have wisdom and experiences to share. Once per month, Brown Mamas will host virtual Mama Mentoring sessions for up to 15 mamas. They will work with experienced moms from the local community to mentor new and ‘in the thick of it’ mamas through their motherhood journey. The first Mama Mentorship cohort begins in August. Registration If you are interested in joining Brown Mamas’ Mama Mentorship program, visit their website to complete the online signup form. More Information This information was provided by Brown Mamas. For more information, visit the Brown Mamas website.
July 16, 2020 COVID-19 Supplies Distribution Event for Child Care Providers About Trying Together, Global Links, and Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 are partnering to ensure that 650 licensed child care operators in Allegheny County are fully equipped with the protective and cleaning supplies they need to maintain a safe, clean, and healthy environment for children and employees. All licensed child care providers in Allegheny County are eligible to receive cleaning supplies and safety equipment. Providers must have their tax identification (EIN) numbers read for staff at the distribution site. What’s Included Child care operators are invited to visit a distribution location to receive: an infrared, no-touch thermometer; gloves for diaper changes and cleaning; hand sanitizer; disinfectant; reusable cloth masks; reusable clear plastic face shield; and one case of tissues. Available Dates and Locations Distribution at Global Links | Register Wednesday, July 22 | 1 – 3 p.m. 700 Trumbull Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 Distribution at LaRoche University | Register Thursday, July 23 | 1 – 3 p.m. 9000 Babcock Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 Distribution at Edgewood Town Centre | Register Friday, July 24 | 1 – 3 p.m. 1763 South Braddock Avenue, Swissvale, PA 15218 See a map of each distribution location. Registration To ensure enough supplies are available, please register for the date and location of your choice via the PPE Supply Pickup Form. Each provider must sign up separately. Providers with multiple locations should sign up for each program, specifying the program name on each form. More Information The purchase and distribution of supplies are made possible through the generous support of local foundations. For more information, call 412.350.3577 or visit elrc5.alleghenycounty.us.
COVID-19 Supplies Distribution Event for Child Care Providers About Trying Together, Global Links, and Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 are partnering to ensure that 650 licensed child care operators in Allegheny County are fully equipped with the protective and cleaning supplies they need to maintain a safe, clean, and healthy environment for children and employees. All licensed child care providers in Allegheny County are eligible to receive cleaning supplies and safety equipment. Providers must have their tax identification (EIN) numbers read for staff at the distribution site. What’s Included Child care operators are invited to visit a distribution location to receive: an infrared, no-touch thermometer; gloves for diaper changes and cleaning; hand sanitizer; disinfectant; reusable cloth masks; reusable clear plastic face shield; and one case of tissues. Available Dates and Locations Distribution at Global Links | Register Wednesday, July 22 | 1 – 3 p.m. 700 Trumbull Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 Distribution at LaRoche University | Register Thursday, July 23 | 1 – 3 p.m. 9000 Babcock Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 Distribution at Edgewood Town Centre | Register Friday, July 24 | 1 – 3 p.m. 1763 South Braddock Avenue, Swissvale, PA 15218 See a map of each distribution location. Registration To ensure enough supplies are available, please register for the date and location of your choice via the PPE Supply Pickup Form. Each provider must sign up separately. Providers with multiple locations should sign up for each program, specifying the program name on each form. More Information The purchase and distribution of supplies are made possible through the generous support of local foundations. For more information, call 412.350.3577 or visit elrc5.alleghenycounty.us.
COVID-19 Supplies Distribution Event for Child Care Providers About Trying Together, Global Links, and Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 are partnering to ensure that 650 licensed child care operators in Allegheny County are fully equipped with the protective and cleaning supplies they need to maintain a safe, clean, and healthy environment for children and employees. All licensed child care providers in Allegheny County are eligible to receive cleaning supplies and safety equipment. Providers must have their tax identification (EIN) numbers read for staff at the distribution site. What’s Included Child care operators are invited to visit a distribution location to receive: an infrared, no-touch thermometer; gloves for diaper changes and cleaning; hand sanitizer; disinfectant; reusable cloth masks; reusable clear plastic face shield; and one case of tissues. Available Dates and Locations Distribution at Global Links | Register Wednesday, July 22 | 1 – 3 p.m. 700 Trumbull Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 Distribution at LaRoche University | Register Thursday, July 23 | 1 – 3 p.m. 9000 Babcock Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 Distribution at Edgewood Town Centre | Register Friday, July 24 | 1 – 3 p.m. 1763 South Braddock Avenue, Swissvale, PA 15218 See a map of each distribution location. Registration To ensure enough supplies are available, please register for the date and location of your choice via the PPE Supply Pickup Form. Each provider must sign up separately. Providers with multiple locations should sign up for each program, specifying the program name on each form. More Information The purchase and distribution of supplies are made possible through the generous support of local foundations. For more information, call 412.350.3577 or visit elrc5.alleghenycounty.us.
June 22, 2020 Drive-Up Diaper Distribution Join Global Links and the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank (WPDB) on June 25 for their public drive-up diaper distribution event outside of PPG Paints Arena (rain or shine). To ensure participant safety, this event cannot accommodate walk-up participants. About Global Links and the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank (WPDB) have partnered to host a public drive-up diaper distribution event outside PPG Paints Arena (rain or shine), thanks to support from the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. The distribution will be equipped to serve up to 1,000 cars. What’s Included? Families and caregivers of young children who are experiencing financial hardship are invited to line up by car outside PPG Paints Arena to receive the following items (at no cost to families): One case (four packages) of diapers per car. One package of wipes per car. An informational sheet listing neighborhood resource centers that can provide further diaper assistance. Safe sleep information provided by Cribs for Kids® National Infant Safe Sleep Initiative. Please note that two families CANNOT be represented in one car. Parents and caregivers will have the option of choosing one or two different sizes of diapers. Traffic Details All vehicles attending the diaper distribution will enter the distribution area by turning onto Logan Street from Centre Avenue. Once on Logan Street, personnel on-site will direct vehicles from the lots to the location at which the diapers will be distributed. To exit, all traffic will be routed to Fullerton Street and will exit via Centre Avenue. Bedford Avenue between Washington Place and Crawford Street will be closed to traffic from downtown going uphill. Traffic from downtown can turn right onto Washington Place to access Centre Avenue or stay left on Bigelow Boulevard. Wylie Avenue will be closed between Crawford Street and Logan Street. More Information To learn more, visit the Drive-Up Diaper Distribution event page or the Global Links website.
June 4, 2020 Taking Personal and Professional Responsibility for Anti-Racism Work As caregivers, community members, and early childhood educators, we have a responsibility to ensure each child, family and caregiver is safe from racism and discrimination and has equitable opportunities to thrive. In order to do this, we must begin with ourselves. Set aside time in your day to do a personal inventory. What thoughts, feelings, and behaviors have you contributed to upholding systems of racism? What assumptions are you making? What actions or inactions have you taken that contribute to systems of oppression? Next, consider your family and your friends—what behaviors, statements, or jokes have gone unchecked? What actions or inactions have you taken within your interpersonal relationships that have contributed to an unsafe community for our black and brown children, neighbors and colleagues? How might you begin to lead by example within your own family or community? Anti-racism work is something that has to be attended to an ongoing way. In order to support you in this work, we have compiled a new webpage of resources to combat racism. Learn More with Upcoming Discussions June 5, 2020 at 8:30 p.m. | “I [STILL] can’t breathe”: Supporting kids of color amid racialized violence June 6, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. | CNN and ‘Sesame Street’ to host a town hall addressing racism June 9, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. | Virtual Parents Event: Talking to Children Authentically About Race and Racism June 10, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. | Race, Police, and Unarmed Civilian Deaths: What Can Be Done?
April 24, 2020 Families & Educators Supporting Learning at Home Join Karen Nemeth and Kelly Ramsey, authors of “Families & Educators Together: Building Great Relationships that Support Young Children,” on April 30 for a live discussion of strategies and resources that will help you reach out to diverse families of young children and build great relationships that support young children in difficult times. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance for viewing this webinar. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage. *Information provided by NAEYC
April 16, 2020 COVID-19: Resources for Early Learning Programs If you work for or operate an early learning program in Pennsylvania, including public and private schools; child care centers; group child care homes; family child care homes; family, friend, and neighbor care, it’s important to remain calm, prepare, and take precautionary measures. By doing so, you will help to maintain the health and wellbeing of yourself, other staff, and the communities you serve. For up-to-date recommendations and COVID-19 Resources for Early Learning programs, please visit the ELRC Region 5 website. Continue reading below for a brief overview of COVID-19; information about waivers and enrollment capacity; and a list of resources. An Overview of COVID-19 COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus not previously seen in humans. Because the virus impacts the respiratory system, common symptoms of infection include fever, dry cough, tiredness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. However, WHO states that some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and diarrhea. After being infected with COVID-19, individuals generally display mild symptoms that begin gradually, but some people who become infected may not develop any symptoms at all and may feel healthy. To learn more about COVID-19 and the steps you can take to reduce your family’s risk of infection, read our recent news post. This post also includes information about what to do after infection, information on how it spreads, and links to several other organizations and entities that can provide more information. National Sex Offender Registry Clearances According to the Department of Human Services Office Child Development & Early Learning Bureau of Certification Services, no exceptions will be made for expired or late National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) clearances after regular child care operations resume. Once regular child care operations resume statewide, staff will not be permitted to return to early learning programs if any of their clearances are expired. For this reason, it is recommended that all staff who require new or renewed finger-print checks should do so as soon as possible at one of the following available facilities. To learn more about NSOR changes in the last 12 months, please visit ELRC Region 5’s news post. COVID-19 Resources for Early Learning Programs Information about COVID-19 Daily Updates from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, PAcast How COVID-19 Spreads, CDC Coronavirus, Social Distancing, and Self-Quarantine, Johns Hopkins Medicine Informational Videos about COVID-19, CDC Why are people wearing masks? Why are people covering their faces?, ZERO TO THREE CDC Report: Coronavirus Strikes All Ages, AARP Stress, Resilience, and the Role of Science: Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Harvard University, Center on the Developing Child People who are at a higher risk of severe illness, CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), AAP COVID-19 and Children: FAQ, CDC Coronavirus Information for Education, PA Department of Health COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel, U.S. Department of Education How Schools Should Respond to State Laws Regarding COVID-19, Child Trends A Message on COVID-19 From the Children’s Bureau, Children’s Bureau Guidance for Providers Revised Interim Guidance for Certified Child Care Facilities Operating During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic, Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning Health & Safety Guidance for Open Early Learning Programs, ELRC Region 5 Guidance for Operating a Child Care Center, OCDEL Guidance for Operating a Family Child Care Center, OCDEL Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs, CDC Guidance for Schools and Child Cares, The Pennsylvania Key Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), U.S. Small Bussiness Administration Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans Immediately Available to Child Care Providers, First Five Years Fund Coronavirus Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide and Checklist (English) (Spanish), U.S. Chamber of Commerce Best Practices for Child Care Programs Operating During COVID-19, ELRC Region 5 and Trying Together COVID-19: Updates for Early Educators & Families in Allegheny County, ELRC Region 5 Staffed Family Child Care Networks Can Navigate A New World Order, Opportunities Exchange Coronavirus Information for Education: Pre-K, K-12 Schools, and Higher Education, PA Department of Health Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs, CDC Coronavirus Prevention and Response, Office of Head Start (OHS) Ensuring Students with Disabilities Continue to Receive Services, U.S. Department of Education Office of Child Care COVID-19 Resources, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Child Care As COVID-19 spreads, most states have laws that address how schools should respond to pandemics, Child Trends Scholastic Learn at Home: Free Resources for School Closures, Scholastic Coronavirus News & Resources for Child Care Professionals, Families and Policymakers, Child Care Aware of America Child Care for Essential Workers during Coronavirus Outbreak, Child Care Aware of America Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Outbreak, U.S. Department of Education Small Business Survival Guide to Combat COVID-19, FINIMPACT Online Learning: Education in Isolation, Digital Trends Considerations for Schools, CDC COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Plan for Child Care Providers, HiMama Early Learning Early Learning Resources During COVID-19, ELRC Region 5 A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching Through Coronavirus, Teaching Tolerance Can Virtual Preschool Be Developmentally Appropriate?, Child Care Lounge Amid coronavirus, Comcast makes Wi-Fi network free, expands unlimited data to all, TRIB Live Spectrum to offer free internet to students during Coronavirus outbreak, WECT 6 News Zoom CEO Eric Yuan Is Giving K-12 Schools His Videoconferencing Tools For Free, Forbes 3 Ways to Turn Your Classroom Remote in a Hurry, KQED Information for teachers during COVID-19 school closures, School Closures Schools Are Hosting Virtual Theme Weeks to Cheer Up Quarantined Kids, We Are Teachers Creative Ways Teachers Are Building Classroom Community Online, We Are Teachers Our Favorite Virtual P.E. Resources to Keep Kids Moving at Home, We Are Teachers 161 Science Documentaries You Can Watch Right Now (No Membership Required), PBS SOCAL 121 Tools for Distance Learning & Strategies for Student Engagement, Albert Bringing the Zoo to You, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Request a Library Card to Access E-Books & More, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Free Distance Learning Plans for K–2 Students and Their Families, Common Sense Media History at Home, Senator John Heinz History Center A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development, Harvard University Early Learning Resource Center, DHS Creative Curriculums, Trust Arts Education NASA at Home – For Kids and Families, NASA Wonderschool Learn-at-Home Ideas, Wonderschool 5 Things To Help Prepare Your Kiddo For School During COVID, LazyOne Home Learning Support, Twinkl Preschool During the Pandemic: Early Childhood Education in Extraordinary Times, ECTA Talking with Children Caring for Each Other, Sesame Street Responding to Children’s Emotional Needs During Times of Crisis, Healthy Children, AAP Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19, NCTSN Are your kids anxious about Coronavirus? Dr. G is here to help, Kidsburgh How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus, PBS KIDS for Parents Talking with Your Children about COVID-19, the CDC Online Interactive Game that Teaches Children about Germs and Handwashing, Luma One A guide to keeping your child safe and reassured as coronavirus spreads, CNN Health Washing Your Hands, CDC How to Wash Hands, Sesame Street Hand Washing for Kids: 5 Easy Steps to Teach Hand Hygiene, Moms Against Cooties Kick Germs to The Curb While Singing This Daniel Tiger Song!, Fred Rogers Productions A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University Healthy at Home (Toolkit), Ready Rosie, The Creative Curriculum, and Teaching Strategies Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to Talk to Your Child, KidsHealth Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus, Child Mind Institute Are Your Kids Anxious About Coronavirus? Dr. G is Here to Help, Kidsburgh Helping Kids Who Are Worried About Coronavirus, Counselor Keri Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times, UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute Autism Team Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs in Emergencies, CDC Prevention COVID-19 Self-Checker, CDC Checklists for Teachers and Parents, CDC FAQs for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents, CDC Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide, Ready PA Parents: Get Your Children Ready for COVID-19, CDC Recommendations for Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Environment, CDC Three ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, MIT Medical Practices to Stay Healthy, U.S. Department of Education Child Care and Preschool Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist, CDC After Infection What to do if you are sick or suspect that you’re sick with COVID-19, CDC Recommended precautions for household members, intimate partners, and caregivers, CDC What You Should Do If Caring for Someone with Coronavirus, American Red Cross Employee Rights, United States Department of Labor Impacts on Child Care, School, and Work U.S. Department of Education Releases “COVID-19 Handbook, Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students’ Needs” Information for Pennsylvania Employees Impacted by COVID-19, Office of Unemployment Compensation Coronavirus & Paid Family Leave, Single Mom Defined Create a Backup Child Care Plan, Child Care Aware of North Dakota Coronavirus and School Closures, Education Week Coronavirus Information for Education: Pre-K, K-12 Schools, and Higher Education, PA Department of Health Ensuring Students with Disabilities Continue to Receive Services, U.S. Department of Education To Close or Not? How Superintendents Decide to Shut Down Schools, Education Week Updates from the Port Authority Unemployed and quarantined Pittsburghers can receive unemployment money faster, with fewer requirements, Public Source Map: Coronavirus and School Closures, Education Week Governor Wolf Extends School Closure for Remainder of Academic Year, Governor Wolf Exception of Directive to Temporairly Close, PAKEYS Child Care Works Payment Modifications Due to Impacts Related to Corona Virus, OCDEL Schools and Child Care Programs: Plan, Prepare, and Respond, CDC Fact Sheets What You Need to Know about COVID-19 (English) (Spanish) (Simplified Chinese), CDC Fact Sheet from the Allegheny County Health Department Fact Sheet from the Pennsylvania Department of Health Informational Flyers Stop the Spread of Germs, Allegheny County Department of Health Keeping Your Home, School, and Workplace Safe, CDC Helping Children and Families Cope, NCPMI Resources Especially Helpful During the COVID-19 Response, ACDHS OID Mental Health Toll-Free 24-Hour Emotional Support Help Line (866.342.6892), Optum National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.8255) Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19, CDC Seven Ways to Cope With Anxiety During the Coronavirus Outbreak, AARP Boxed In: COVID-19 and Your Mental Health, Everyday Health Stress and Coping, CDC Receiving Support Support for Helpers During Coronavirus, Fred Rogers Center Comcast’s Internet Essentials (offering two free months to new customers) PWSA Extends, Expands Shut Off Moratorium in Response to COVID-19, Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority Neighbors Support – COVID-19 Resources, Representative Sara Innamorato Pittsburgh Mutual Aid: Resource Library Many Homeowners Eligible for Temporary Relief From Mortgage Payments, AARP COVID-19 & Family Resources, Family Centers Network Shared Services Central, Opportunities Exchange Child Care Centers, DHS Information for Pennsylvania Employees Impacted by COVID-19, Office of Unemployment Compensation Virtual IEP Meeting Tip Sheets, Center for Parent Information & Resources Multilingual Resources A Round-Up of Multilingual Resources on COVID-19, Switchboard COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions, UPMC CDC Prevention Flyer, RCUSA Additional Resources in Spanish ChildCare Aware of America: Quédese actualizado con las noticias y los recursos más recientes sobre el Coronavirus, Child Care Aware of America COVID-19 Info in Other Languages, CPIR Curated Lists Resources on COVID-19 in PA for ECE Programs and Professionals, The Pennsylvania Key COVID-19 Resource Page, PEAL Center COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information and Resources, NAMI Coping with COVID-19, NAEYC Resources for Early Childhood Policymakers on Preventing and Preparing for COVID-19, NIEER Rapid Response Resources: COVID-19, PIE Network The Social Care Network, Auntbertha Stay-at-Home Resource Page, Tickets for Kids Coronavirus Suite Landing Page, CPIR COVID-19 Resources From Every Hour Counts, Every Hour Counts Free Stuff for Teachers: Tools for a Unique 2020–2021 School Year, Coupon Chief Blog Online COVID-19 Resources for Kids, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Distance Learning Resources, Inclusive Schools Network Recorded Webinars Caring for Each Other, Brazelton Touchpoints and Sesame Workshop Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms, EdWeb Contacts and Information Commonwealth of Pennsylvania www.pa.gov Pennsylvania Department of Health www.health.pa.gov 1.877.72.432584 | 1.877.PA.HEALTH Allegheny County Health Department www.alleghenycouty.us 412.687.2243 Allegheny County Alerts (COVID-19 Alerts) www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts United Way www.pa211sw.org Dial 2.1.1 | Text Your Zip Code to 898-211 (Text Alerts) United States Department of Education www.ed.gov/coronavirus Email: covid-19@ed.gov Optum (Free Emotional Support Helpline) 866.342.6892 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline suicidepreventionlifeline.org 1.800.273.8255 (English) | 1.888.628.9454 (Spanish) | 1.800.799.4889 (Deaf or Hard of Hearing) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline 1.800.985.5990 | Text (English): TalkWithUs to 66746 | Text (Spanish): Hablanos to 66746 More Information For more information about COVID-19, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or World Health Organization (WHO) websites.
April 3, 2020 Strategies for Virtual Learning for Students with Dyslexia Are you interested in learning about tips, techniques, and strategies that are designed to support students with dyslexia? Join Learning Ally on April 9 for the webinar, “Strategies for Virtual Learning for Students with Dyslexia.” About The thought of accomplishing meaningful virtual learning for students is a daunting one. When you consider the complexities of providing intervention, accommodations, and other supports for students with dyslexia in a virtual learning environment, the task becomes even more intimidating. It doesn’t have to be though! Join presenters for this webinar to learn tips, techniques, and strategies designed to keep your students learning. Presenters make sure you know what students need in order to thrive and leave you with a list of go-to resources that will prepare you to deliver instruction in a variety of virtual technology environments. This webinar will be of value to pre-k through high school teachers and school and district leaders. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.
