July 7, 2020 A Routines-Based Approach for Young Children with Disabilities Are you interested in learning about a routines-based approach for providing early intervention to young children with disabilities? Join ZERO TO THREE on July 15 for their free webinar, “Where Intervention Happens: A Routines-Based Approach for Young Children with Disabilities.” About Throughout the day, children learn during their everyday routines, including during child care. Ensuring that infants and toddlers with disabilities get the most intervention possible and the most relevant intervention possible means building their caregivers’ capacity. This webinar will address the assessment of child and family needs, the use of a primary service provider, collaborative consultation, data collection, and how to train staff to use a routines-based approach. This webinar is best suited for early intervention professionals, as well as caregivers who have or would like to have an early intervention professional working with them. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage. For those who are unable to attend the session, please note that all registrants will receive a link to the webinar recording 24 to 48 hours after the session.
April 7, 2020 Attending to Risks for Abuse and Neglect During COVID-19 Pandemic Families caring for young children during this time with little outside social support or respite can be at risk for an increase in harsh disciplinary practices, abuse, or neglect. If you are an early learning professional, join Zero to Three on April 29 for their webinar, “Attending to Risks of Abuse and Neglect During COVID-19 Pandemic Response: Early Childhood Educators.” About Recent protocols around social distancing and sheltering in place have created substantial changes in family lifestyles and professional practice. For some families, staying home together has had positive impacts on their quality of time together, strengthening relationships. For many families, this social isolation is also coupled with anxiety around health concerns and financial security. Objectives During this webinar, early childhood educators will learn the following: how to assess and address risks and signs of abuse and neglect in an early childhood education setting while simultaneously adjusting protocols specific to COVID-19 in these settings; how to maintain relationships through virtual contacts when programs are closed and assess risk through virtual interactions; the importance of reflective practice for early childhood educators who are often facing many of their own individual and family challenges during this time; and about resources specific to early childhood education. Register To register, visit the event webpage.
July 3, 2019 Little Listeners Play Group Families with children under the age of three with hearing loss are invited to join the DePaul School for Hearing and Speech for their Little Listeners Play Group sessions! About This playgroup focuses on developing listening and spoken language through play and social interaction. Designed for children under the age of three with hearing loss, participating families will enjoy a variety of developmentally appropriate play-based activities, an onsite pediatric audiologist who can guide and answer questions, and time for parents to relax and unwind. Siblings are welcome. Registration To register, contact Michelle Parfitt at mparfitt@depaulhearingandspeech.org. For questions, call 412.924.1012. Share this flyer with your network.
May 23, 2019 Buzzword: Talk & Play Series 3 Join Buzzword every Wednesday from May 15 to June 12 for Talk & Play Series 3! 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: Wednesday, May 15 • Word of the Day: DECOMPOSE with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Carnegie Science Center Wednesday, May 22 • Word of the Day: TOPSOIL with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Wednesday, May 29 • Word of the Day: COLONY with Pittsburgh Parks Conservatory and Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Wednesday, June 5 • Word of the Day: LAVA with Pittsburgh Parks Conservatory and Pittsburgh Festival Opera Wednesday, June 12 • Word of the Day: FOSSIL with Pittsburgh Parks Conservatory and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust More Information For more information, contact Jan Jones at jan@tryingtogether.org.
May 9, 2019 Historic Increases for Early Learning & Development Programs The House Appropriations Committee recently approved the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education spending bill for FY2020, which outlines funding for early care and learning programs critical to babies’ development. The first three years are a time in development unmatched by any other later point in life. But the recently released State of Babies Yearbook: 2019 reveals troubling early warning signs that too many young children face conditions that place their development – and our future – at risk. About the Bill The bill includes historic increases to key early learning and development programs that can help to reverse this path we have set for our future, including: An increase of $2.4 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant; $525 million increase in the set-aside for the expansion of Early Head Start, including through EHS-Child Care Partnerships; Doubling of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Grant Program, to a total of $10 million; and An increase of $21.3 million for Part C Early Intervention. By laying the foundation today for 12 million infants and toddlers living in the U.S., we are investing in our society’s future. Learn More To learn more, see Zero to Three’s full statement. *Information provided by Zero to Three
May 7, 2019 Email Congress in Support of the FAMILY Act This week, the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on paid family and medical leave, with testimony from expert witnesses, including advocates, a business owner, a state official, and researchers. But without your expertise, they will miss the voice of crucial stakeholders – babies! What You Can Do In advance of the hearing, babies need you to contact your Members of Congress and urge them to support comprehensive paid leave for working families – the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act. The Family Act is: Inclusive: Provided to all working people, no matter where they live or the nature of their job; Comprehensive: Offers extensive coverage of personal family caregiving and medical needs; Meaningful: Gives a meaningful duration of leave to allow people sufficient time to meet their care and health needs – at least 12 weeks – and a wage replacement rate and benefit level that makes taking leave financially possible for everyone; Sustainable: Funded in a way that is affordable for workers, employers, and the government without harming other essential programs; and Secure: Protects workers from retaliation or adverse employment consequences for requesting or taking leave. With public demand for comprehensive national paid leave stronger than ever before, now is the time to urge your Members of Congress to cosponsor the FAMILY Act. Take Action Email your Members of Congress now in support of our nation’s babies and families! *Information provided by Zero to Three
February 11, 2019 Raising Readers Together Club The Raising Readers Together Club runs weekly and explores the importance of acceptance, equality, and tolerance through reading. Thursday sessions are suitable for children ages five and younger. For children age six and older, see our Wednesday sessions at Willie Tee’s Barbershop. Winter 2019 Books: Word Play by Adam Lehrhaupt | February 7 My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith | February 14 Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too by Anna Dewdney | February 21 Unplugged by Steven Antony | February 28 All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold | March 7 Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights by Malala Yousafzai | March 14 The Library Book by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark | March 21 Billy Bloo is Stuck in Goo by Jennifer Hamburg | March 28 Raising Readers provides free: books discussion food songs storytelling resources Questions For questions or more information, contact Cynthia Battle at 412.421.3889 or cynthia@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
