News

July 6, 2026

Fred Rogers Productions Names Trying Together Early Childhood Intervention Coordinator to Advisory Board

Fred Rogers Productions has named an early childhood intervention coordinator for Trying Together to its recently launched Education Impact Advisory Program.

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In April, the nonprofit children’s media company named after the iconic TV personality Mister Rogers kicked off the new initiative, which is composed of education professionals who provide insights into early childhood learning contexts, offer feedback on the media company’s content and resources, and co-create new educational engagement activities that are aligned with the company’s mission.

Kelly Palko, an early childhood intervention coordinator for Trying Together, was recently added to the 15-member cohort.

“Being a part of the Fred Rogers Productions Education Impact Advisory is both an honor and an incredible opportunity to continue the legacy of a person who believed deeply in the power of meaningful connections,” Palko said. “As an educator and a parent, I am inspired by Mister Rogers’ commitment to helping children feel seen, valued, and understood – and I am grateful to play even a small role in carrying those values forward.”

Advisors in the program will serve through July 2027. The cohort will interact with the teams behind the company’s award-winning series, such as “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Donkey Hodie,” and “Alma’s Way” to ensure the company’s content meaningfully connects with and supports children, caregivers, and educators.

Advisory members include professional teachers and principals, curriculum experts, early childhood education specialists, librarians, and child care providers.

The advisory board will:

Take a deep dive into the company’s series and educational frameworks
Share real-time insight from their own professional experiences
Co-create new activities and resources inspired by the company’s content
Serve as ambassadors for Fred Rogers Productions’ content in their respective communities

Other advisory board members from the Pittsburgh region include Grace Evans, SOY Pittsburgh coordinator at the Latino Community Center; Tiffany Harkleroad, youth services manager at the Butler Area Public Library; and Caitlin Lucas, kindergarten teacher at Keystone Oaks School District.

Photo by Jorge Santiago, courtesy of Fred Rogers Productions.

News

July 2, 2026

Trying Together Names TT’s Toy Box Owner as June Advocate of the Month

Trying Together has selected Natika Proctor, owner of TT’s Toy Box in McKees Rocks, as its June advocate of the month.

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TT’s Toy Box is an early care and education program that also offers after-school and summer camp programs.

Proctor was recommended as Advocate of the Month by Larette McCoy, who works for Pittsburgh Area Community Schools at Sto-Rox Primary Center, because of her commitment to adding support at her program for children with developmental delays and disabilities.

She was also cited for her presence at community events, personal investment in her work, sending her staff to local events, engaging local legislators, leading with kindness, working well with parents, and being a community leader.

“Natika does an amazing job championing joy in her program, whether it’s preschool graduation or the yearly kids’ ‘prom,’” said Valerie Williams, Trying Together’s kindergarten transition program director. “Natika is constantly thinking of new ways to connect with the community, welcome families, and foster joy and play in her school community.”

Proctor said she became an advocate because she was a single mother of three children who believed that the care they were receiving wasn’t adequate. She said that TT’s Toy Box aims to provide a quality education for every child and family who pass through its doors.

“We advocate for every child’s right to learn, grow, and succeed,” she said. “We are committed to supporting your children and families by fostering inclusion, promoting equality, and also ensuring access to resources that help each child to their fullest potential.”

News

July 1, 2026

Pyramid Model and Prevention Tips for “Challenging” Behaviors

Discover practical strategies to support the social, emotional, and behavioral development of young children from birth to age 5.

In this course, participants will explore ways to create inclusive learning environments, strengthen partnerships with families, and promote positive behavior while reducing disparities in discipline practices.

Learn how to support all children, including those with or at risk for developmental delays and disabilities, through responsive, relationship-based approaches that foster belonging, growth, and success.

More details:

When: Wednesday, August 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: ZOOM
Cost: $20
Register now

News

June 24, 2026

Family Fun Night at Washington Wild Things Game

Trying Together and SmartKids Child Care & Learning Center invite families to join them for a Family Fun Night at the Washington Wild Things game on Sunday, August 9.

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The Wild Things will play the Evansville Otters during the game at EQT Park, located at 1 Washington Federal Way in Washington. Children, ages 12 and under, will get in free and receive a voucher for a free meal that night at the game.

To support the work of Trying Together and the Washington, Pa.-based SmartKids Child Care & Learning Center, 50% of ticket sale proceeds will go to the two organizations.

The game will begin at 4:05 p.m. on August 9. The event will also include a kid’s area with inflatables on the third-base side. A ticket costs $1 to play on the four inflatables.

Tickets can be purchased online. A single ticket for attendees ages 13 and above will be $11.50. Group reserved seats are located in Section 206. Tickets can be purchased until 6:35 p.m. on game day.

News

Proceeds from Washington Wild Things Game in August to Benefit Trying Together

Trying Together and SmartKids Child Care & Learning Center invite families to join them for a Family Fun Night at the Washington Wild Things game on Sunday, August 9.

Learn More

The Wild Things will take on the Evansville Otters during the game at EQT Park. Children, ages 12 and under, will get in free and receive a voucher for a free meal that night at the game.

To support the work of Trying Together and the Washington, Pa.-based SmartKids Child Care & Learning Center, 50% of ticket sale proceeds will go to the two organizations.

The game will begin at 4:05 p.m. on August 9 at EQT Park, located at 1 Washington Federal Way in Washington.

The event will also include a kid’s area with inflatables on the third-base side. A ticket costs $1 to play on the four inflatables.

Tickets can be purchased online. A single ticket for attendees ages 13 and above will be $11.50. Group reserved seats are located in Section 206. Tickets can be purchased until 6:35 p.m. on game day.

News

June 10, 2026

Trying Together, Educators Advocate in Harrisburg for Early Childhood Education Investments in State Budget

Trying Together traveled with 40 early childhood education teachers and administrators as well as caregivers of young children to Harrisburg on Tuesday, June 9 to meet with policymakers and advocate for investments in the early care and education workforce in the 2026-27 budget.

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The teachers, administrators, and parents represented five counties – Allegheny, Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington, and Beaver – and were members of Trying Together’s advocacy fellowship program. They met with their state representatives and senators to tell their early childhood education stories.

“Early care and education is a critical issue for families and economic development in every community – rural, suburban, and urban alike,” said Emily Neff, Trying Together’s director of public policy. “The fact that nearly 40 early childhood educators from five counties traveled to Harrisburg and back in a single day demonstrates the urgency of this issue.”

Neff said the group met with policymakers from both parties and both chambers – a total of 19 state representatives and 10 senators – to advocate for increased investments in child care, pre-k, and early intervention in the state budget.

“There is no way around it: continued public investment in early care and education is essential,” Neff said.

Meetings with Policymakers

The group discussed with policymakers the importance of including proposed investments in the early care and education workforce in the 2026-27 state budget, including:

A $10 million increase for the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program
A $2 million increase for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program
A $7.5 million increase for Pre-K Counts

Participants in the day of advocacy said it was a positive experience. Anna Dolter, a Pittsburgh Public Schools pre-k teacher, said the trip was her first time to Harrisburg. She met with state Reps. Dan Frankel (D-23rd) and Lindsay Powell (D-21st) and state Sen. Jay Costa (D-43rd).

“My message to them was the importance of early education and keeping it accessible and equitable to all families in our city and state,” she said. “It was good to meet with representatives, so we can take information back to our colleagues in terms of what we can do to advocate to get early education in the budget.”

Wes Garis, the senior director of professional and child development at Braddock’s Heritage Community Initiatives, said his job involves supporting educators and providing classroom support.

“I’ve tried to bolster recruitment and retention, but we need to have teachers long enough to grow them and keep them in the field,” he said.

He said although some of the policymakers he met with on Tuesday were already on board with proposed investments, he thought it was important to provide them with context.

“It was good that we did it as a group,” he said. “We had our stories bounce off each other – it shows the connection and makes the stories and data come to life.”

Dayna Jones, the owner and CEO of Highland Park’s Simply Kidz Zone Early Learning Center, said that the trip to Harrisburg was a great opportunity to advocate for investments to the field.

“I wanted to advocate that we struggle with financially supporting our staff to be able to embrace high-quality child care,” she said. “We want to pay staff what they deserve and allow parents to be able to afford child care and be able to work. We want to send a message that (early childhood educators) are essential. I don’t think child care is taken seriously enough.”

The group met with state Reps. Dan Frankel (D-23rd), Lindsay Powell (D-21st), Eric Nelson (R-57th), Daniel Deasy (D-27th), Arvind Venkat (D-30th), Timothy J. O’Neal (R-48th), Joshua Kail (R-15th), Jim Rigby (R-71st), Jessica Benham (D-36th), Aerion Abney (D-19th), Andrew Kuzma (R-39th), Emily Kinkead (D-20th), Bud Cook (R-49th), Natalie Mihalek (R-40th), Eric Davanzo (R-58th), and Anita Kulik (D-50th), La’Tasha Mayes (D-24th), Mandy Steele (D-33rd), and John Inglis III (D-38th), and state Sens. Jay Costa (D-43rd), Kim Ward (R-39th), Joe Pittman (R-41st), Camera Bartolotta (R-46th), Wayne Fontana (D-42nd), Elder Vogel (R-47th), Patrick Stefano (R-32nd), Lindsey Williams (D-38th), Wayne Langerholc (R-35th), and Devlin Robinson (R-37th).

News

June 3, 2026

Trying Together’s Lending Library Offers Materials to Providers to Inspire Love of Learning

Early learning providers can find a variety of materials to borrow from Trying Together’s ECE Lending Library that support and recognize learning abilities, promote cultural diversity, and cover everything from health to safety.

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The library, which is located at Trying Together’s offices at 5604 Solway Street, was created to be a community space for child care providers in Allegheny County to borrow learning materials as well as teacher and curriculum resources.

“The benefit for teachers is that they are able to rotate materials in their programs without having to worry about storage or extra added costs,” said Allison Robinson, a leadership development strategist for ELRC Region 5. “It gives them the opportunity to try new things – a new material they might like to try before purchasing it.”

Teachers can borrow materials for 30 days on the first Saturday of the month or on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

“We want teachers to see it as a beneficial place where they can come monthly to change out the learning materials for their classrooms,” Robinson said.

What the Library Offers

Robinson said the library’s most popular items are its theme boxes – such as boxes focusing on farm animals or other topics – as well as its infant-toddler boxes and book bundles.

The materials in the library can help children learn about a variety of topics, Robinson said.

“We’ve got a number of STEAM and STEM materials, so these can give them a start in science, technology, and engineering, which is important because that’s where so many of the jobs these days are focused. We have materials for math and basic reading skills and a wealth of new social-emotional materials.”

Robinson said that Trying Together is currently undergoing an equity audit for the library, and that it intends to stock additional diverse materials.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to get more representation in place,” she said.

Robinson said that the intention of the library is to help get children more interested in what they are learning.

“We talk about behavior issues in the classroom, but it’s often that children are uninterested in what’s going on in the classroom,” she said. “By coming to the lending library monthly, teachers can get them more interested. It’s not a magic wand, but it helps them to develop a love for learning.”

More Details

The library’s materials include:

Books for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
Infant social-emotional support kits
Toddler dress up trunks
Puppet sets
STEM and coding kits
Active play kits
Storytelling kits
Sensory items and kits
Musical instruments
Leadership resources
Resources related to early childhood education and interactions with children
Die cut machines
Inspire Interactive Panels

The library is located in Room 204 of Trying Together’s office on Solway Street. It is open on the first Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For details about how to access the library, how to check out items, and to view a full list of available items, visit the ECE Lending Library website.

News

June 2, 2026

Trying Together Announces 2026-27 Schedule for Growing Together PD Series

Trying Together has released a schedule for 2026 and 2027 offerings available through its upcoming Growing Together professional development series.

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Every third Wednesday of the month, Trying Together hosts a virtual professional development session that is focused on requested topics that are relevant to early childhood educators.

Participants can choose to attend any or all of the mini-sessions. Registration for the sessions is highly recommended, but participants can access any session using the series’ Zoom link.

Trying Together’s Growing Together schedule includes:

Navigating Public Policy and Systems – 6:30-7:30 on July 15
Trauma Informed Care – 6:30-7:30 on August 19
The Cycle of Inquiry: Meaningful Experiences from Infancy to Pre-K – 6:30-7:30 on September 16
Intro to Neurodivergence – 6:30-7:30 on October 21
Let’s Get Creative: Incorporating Creative Art in the Early Childhood Classroom – 6:30-7:30 on November 18
Sensory Activities Through STEAM – 6:30-7:30 on December 16
Separation Anxiety – 6:30-7:30 on January 20
Calm, Reset, Respond – 6:30-7:30 on February 17
ELRC Resources – 6:30-7:30 on March 17
Behavior is Communication – 6:30-7:30 on April 21
De-Escalation – 6:30-7:30 on May 18
Infant and Toddler Circle Time – 6:30-7:30 on June 16, 2027

Those interested in attending the sessions can register online.

News

June 1, 2026

Trying Together Calls for Proposals for October UnConference

Trying Together invites those interested in presenting at its October 12 UnConference, “Ordinary Moments, Meaningful Connections,” to submit proposals relating to that topic by Monday, June 29.

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Trying Together’s UnConference is an innovative, hands-on professional development training format where a deeper experience is provided around a particular theme related to early childhood education. Speakers are invited to present and participants are encouraged to engage hands-on in the workshops.

Trying Together will host its October UnConference at the Hosanna House, located at 807 Wallace Avenue, on Monday, October 12.

Ordinary Moments, Meaningful Connections

The foundation of quality in early learning settings begins with the everyday interactions that we share with one another. These simple and ordinary moments that take place during daily routines form the foundation of learning and connection for young children and adults alike.

Focusing on the belief that meaningful learning happens within everyday moments, this UnConference highlights how connection, reciprocity, inclusion, and opportunities for growth emerge through adult-child interactions. Participants will experience interactive presentations that offer practical strategies for fostering inclusive environments, strengthening relationships, and creating opportunities for mutual growth.

The UnConference is designed to support educators in cultivating classrooms where every child and adult feel seen, heard, and valued.

Proposal topics can address – but are not limited to – the following topics:

Connection and attunement
Reciprocity in practice
Inclusion and belonging
Opportunities for growth

Trying Together will offer an honorarium of $250 to any organization or individual not affiliated with an organization whose proposal is chosen to be presented. Additionally, those who are engaging the audience through interactive workshops and learning experiences are invited to participate in the rest of the day at no cost.

Those interested in leading a workshop at the UnConference should submit a proposal by June 29.

News

May 28, 2026

Trying Together Names SmartKids Child Care & Learning Center Owner as Advocate of the Month

Trying Together has selected Donna Shriver, owner of SmartKids Child Care & Learning Center in Washington, as its May advocate of the month.

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Shriver, a long-time advocate for early childhood education, celebrated 30 years of providing high-quality child care in April. This past year, she partnered with Early Learning PA and state Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46th) for an event at SmartKids and worked with Washington County commissioners on the Washington County Proclamation on Child Care.

“I didn’t become an advocate for children by accident,” she said. “I became one because I saw what was at stake. Early on, I realized that child care isn’t just about supervision – it’s about shaping lives. It is where confidence begins, where curiosity is nurtured, and where a child feels safe, valued, and cared for.”

But she said she also witnessed the struggles that families have in finding child care, how educators work tirelessly but do not get the recognition they deserve, and that children need more support than they receive.

“When we invest early on in a child’s life, we change their future,” she said. “Advocacy, for me, is a responsibility – a way for me to speak up for people who can’t speak up for themselves. It’s a way to push for better standards, better support for educators, and better access for every family.”