November 12, 2020 Educators: Join the Leap into Science National Network Are you an educator in Pennsylvania who is interested in receiving training and materials to lead science and literacy workshops for children and families? Join the Leap into Science National Network! Applications must be submitted by December 14, 2020. About Leap into Science is a nationwide program developed by The Franklin Institute Science Museum that integrates open-ended science activities with children’s books, designed for children ages three through 10-years-old and their families. The program empowers educators to offer workshops in community settings like libraries, museums, and out-of-school time programs to engage underserved audiences in accessible and familiar settings. Leap into Science provides workshops on a science theme for three possible audiences: early childhood, elementary, and/or family groups. If your organization was already trained in the Leap into Science Wind curricula, you are NOT eligible to attend this training. Organization Benefits Each organization that participates in Leap into Science will receive: a two-hour virtual training on high-quality science and literacy curriculum and facilitation strategies for two or more educators; ongoing support during program implementation as part of a Leap into Science National Network; access to the national Leap into Science leadership team and online resources; and a curriculum and materials kit (valued at $300). Participation Commitments As a Leap into Science partner organization, participants commit to: scheduling and leading at least three Leap into Science workshops for children and/or families living in underserved rural or urban communities by September 2021, including an event during National Leap into Science Week (June 7 – 13, 2021); posting each workshop to The Connectory, a searchable directory for STEM programs across the country; completing a workshop report following each workshop; and participating in quarterly calls with other trained educators in your state. Available Workshops The Pennsylvania Leap into Science Team is hosting a free two-hour virtual training on the Leap into Science Light & Shadow workshops at the following times: Friday, January 29, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 13, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Submit An Application To participate in the national network and attend one of the trainings listed above, please complete this brief application form by December 14, 2020. Priority will be given to organizations that can send at least two educators to the training and who serve traditionally underrepresented audiences. If selected, you will receive an email notification of your acceptance by the end of December with details about the training you will attend. More Information For questions, contact Betsy O. Saatman at betsaa@pakeys.org or 484.955.5909.
October 21, 2020 Benefits of Having a PD Registry Profile Do you have a Pennsylvania PD Registry profile? If not, you are missing out on features that could help you schedule professional development, request financial assistance, and more. What is the PD Registry? The Pennsylvania Professional Development (PD) Registry is an online system that functions as a “workforce registry” by tracking the professional accomplishments of registered individuals, providing important data about the early childhood workforce, and highlighting a consolidated list of available professional development opportunities. Data collected through the PD Registry—including data such as length of time in the field, education level, and wages—is also used to advocate for better education opportunities and higher wages for professionals in Pennsylvania. Benefits Early Learning and School-Age Professionals Through the PD Registry, early learning and school-age professionals can: track their employment, education, and training history; complete a professional development self-assessment to plan upcoming training; register for in-person and online professional training that offers PQAS and Act 48 credit; begin an application for financial assistance if eligible; keep track of CPR, First Aid, and Fire Safety expiration dates; and more. Program Directors Through the PD Registry, Program Directors can: track staff completion of Bureau of Certification and Keystone STARS training requirements; access verified staff qualifications for meeting Certification and Keystone STARS requirements; support staff with professional development planning; and register staff members for training using the statewide training calendar. Creating an Account If you don’t have an account, visit the PD Registry website to create one. For assistance, view this step-by-step tip sheet on how to create an account or contact pdregistry@pakeys.org. More Information Additional tip sheets and resources are available for new users, existing users, and program directors. For more information, view this document or visit the Pennsylvania Key website.
October 15, 2020 Virtual Service Delivery Webinar Series Are you interested in learning how to build and sustain relationships with families virtually? Join Brazelton Touchpoints Center for their free Virtual Service Delivery Webinar Series. About Join Brazelton Touchpoints Center for a series of free webinars and an online learning community to explore the challenges and opportunities posed by virtual service delivery, and learn about strategies providers have found for building and sustaining strong relationships with families virtually. Featured Topics Finding the Balance in Virtual Service Delivery Thursday, October 22, 2020 | 2:00 p.m. Using a Hybrid Approach to Partner with Families Thursday, November 5, 2020 | 2:00 p.m. Providing Staff Support and Supervision Virtually Thursday, November 19, 2020 | 2:00 p.m. Understanding and Responding to Trauma in Virtual Service Delivery Thursday, December 3, 2020 | 2:00 p.m. Taking Care of Yourself as a Virtual Service Provider Thursday, December 17, 2020 | 2:00 p.m. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.
October 14, 2020 Receive A School-Age Professional Credential Are you interested in receiving a School-Age Professional Credential? A School-Age Professional Credential Course will be available online from October 20, 2020 to May 18, 2021. This course is free to those who qualify. Textbooks are provided. About The Pennsylvania School-Age Professional Credential (SAPC) is a competency-based program modeled after the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. It provides individuals working in school-age programs the opportunity to examine their work in relation to the Pennsylvania School-Age Competency Standards. A School-Age Professional Credential Course will be available online from October 20, 2020 to May 18, 2021. Course participants will digitally meet on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and there will be a self-paced weekly assignment that will take approximately two hours to complete. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for this course, professionals must: be working in a Department of Human Service regulated program that serves school-age children (age five to 12-years-old); have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED credential; complete an individual professional development plan; and have worked at least 480 hours with school-age children. Apply This course is free to those who qualify. Textbooks are provided. Technology and child care supports are available. To apply, visit the PDO at PASSHE webpage. More Information For questions or more information, call 814.836.9295 or email chuck.lytle@nwirelrc.org. Share this flyer with your network.
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. Share this flyer with your network.
August 4, 2020 Magda Gerber’s Philosophy of Care for Infants & Toddlers Are you interested in learning how to create a safe, challenging, predictable environment for young children in your care? Join Trying Together on August 19 for our interactive session, “Magda Gerber’s Philosophy of Care for Infants & Toddlers.” About Connections and Conversations Virtual Check-Ins are interactive sessions that highlight topics of interest to the field of early childhood education. Participants will engage in virtual discussions via Zoom with child development experts while interacting with early learning practitioners to share questions, experiences, and expertise about the highlighted topic. In this session, participants will explore the core principles of Magda Gerber’s RIE philosophical approach to educaring for infants and toddlers in the early childhood setting. The basis of the RIE approach is respecting and trusting the individual child’s authentic self. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in conversations around developmentally appropriate practice for infants and toddlers while reflecting on how to best create a safe, challenging, predictable environment for all children. Participants will receive the course Zoom link via email within 24 hours before the start date for the course. For questions, contact Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org. Session Details Session Date: Wednesday, August 19 | 6 – 7 p.m Instructor: Katie Gullone CKC: K1.7 C2 Registrations must be submitted by Monday, August 17. Space is limited. Sessions will be offered biweekly and will offer one hour of PQAS credit. Act 48 credit will not be offered. Learning Objectives Reflect on the RIE principles and philosophical approach when caring for infants and toddlers. Discuss and analyze strategies that best support developmentally appropriate practice for infants and toddlers in the early childhood classroom setting. Registration To register for this session, complete our online registration form. Session Rules and Guidelines These virtual discussions are designed to provide educators the opportunity to grow professionally and share knowledge on early childhood topics. During the meeting, participants should follow the guidelines below to ensure a successful virtual meeting for all participants. Please allow all participants a chance to speak. Listen respectfully and actively. Commit to learning about each other, not to debating the topic. Embrace differences of opinion as healthy and support each person’s authentic self-expression. Participants will be muted for the beginning portion of the session. Participants may use the “Raise Hand” feature in Zoom to request an opportunity to comment or ask a question. Individuals will be temporarily unmuted by the moderator. Participants may type a comment or question in the Chat or may send comments or questions directly to the moderator for them to share. To receive PQAS credit, you must complete an evaluation at the end of the session and include your PD Registry number. Have fun, make connections, and engage in the conversations! More Information For questions or more information, please contact Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org.
July 2, 2020 Online Fire Safety Training Now Available for Child Care Centers Attention child care providers! Does your program need to complete fire safety training? The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is temporarily accepting an online fire safety training that meets required fire safety regulations! About In their recent announcement, OCDEL stated that child care center providers and staff will be able to temporarily complete their annual fire safety training online during the COVID-19 pandemic. As programs reopen, providers should start arranging for all staff to complete annual fire safety training if their current training certification is about to expire or has expired. While OCDEL maintains that face-to-face training for fire safety is most appropriate, they state that if in-person training is unavailable, they will temporarily accept the following approved fire safety online training offered on the PD Registry: Department of Human Services (DHS) Fire Safety Training Event ID: 315542 | Cost: Free | PQAS Approved | Register via PA PD Registry This training course will be deemed acceptable up until 30 days after the Disaster Proclamation is lifted or such other time as the Department directs. Registration Reach out to your local fire chief for other fire safety specialist first to see if they are offering any face-to-face fire safety trainings that are conducive to social distancing practices. If face-to-face training is unavailable, have staff register for and complete the online Department of Human Services Fire Safety Training. To register, search for “DHS Fire Safety Training” or the Event ID included above on the Pennsylvania PD Registry. More Information For more information, see the Announcement C-20-07, Fire Safety Training for Child Care Centers may be obtained online during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
July 1, 2020 PACCA Zoom Series: Racial Equity in Early Learning Are you interested in learning how to embed racial equity into your early learning program? Join the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) on Fridays from July 10 – 24 for their Zoom Series, “Racial Equity in Early Learning.” About This three-part professional development series is designed to help early learning and school-age programs embed racial equity from recruiting, hiring, and on-going training offerings for staff to interactions with children of color. After defining key racial justice terminology such as implicit bias, cultural competency, race, racism, antiracist ally, etc., participants are encouraged to identify concrete ways to embrace racial equity personally and professionally. These Zoom meetings will be informative and interactive, and will provide participants with real resources and supports for classroom situations. Individuals who participate in all three meetings will receive 4.5 hours of PQAS credits and/or 4.5 Act 48 hours. Cost PACCA Members: $20 for all three meetings Non-Members: $45 for all three meetings Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage. Zoom links will be sent in a confirmation email when your registration is received. If you do not receive confirmation, please check your Junk inbox or contact maureen.murphy@pacca.org.
April 8, 2020 Schedule Summer/Fall PD Today! Are you thinking about summer and fall? Schedule Custom 2020 Professional Development dates for your early learning program today! The deadline to guarantee your preferred date is June 1, 2020. Space is limited! About Focusing on early childhood professionals working in home, center, and school-based settings, Trying Together delivers professional growth opportunities in-person, virtually, and online. Customized offerings can be created and targeted to individual or group goals, interests, or needs. To submit a request for professional services, complete and submit Trying Together’s online request form. All requests must be received before June 1, 2020 to guarantee your preferred date. More 2020 Professional Development Information For questions or more information, contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org or 412.567.3933. For government resources for early learning professionals, click here.
March 3, 2020 Remake Learning Offers Summer Professional Development Portal Summer in the Greater Pittsburgh Area is not only filled with sunshine and warmth, it’s also filled with special intensives, camps, and other summer training opportunities. That’s why Remake Learning launched its Summer Professional Development portal, highlighting local professional learning opportunities that will happen in summer 2020! About Remake Learning‘s Summer Professional Development portal is a curated collection of innovative, educator-led, and hands-on learning opportunities that are hosted in June, July, and August. By visiting the portal, community members can learn about and register for sessions covering a variety of topics, including making, STEAM, project-based learning, coding camps, and more! The portal is regularly updated as new opportunities are made available. To view current opportunities, visit the Remake Learning website. More Information If you would like to add your professional learning opportunity to the list, start by submitting your event to the Remake Learning calendar! Please note that this calendar focuses on opportunities, professional development, and events specifically for educators and youth-centered organizations. For questions or more information, contact info@remakelearning.org.
