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Hi5! Celebrates On-Time Kindergarten Registration Rates During AIU Event

News

May 12, 2025

Hi5! Celebrates On-Time Kindergarten Registration Rates During AIU Event

Hi5! celebrated another successful year of supporting on-time kindergarten registration and readiness in southwestern Pennsylvania during a May 7 gathering at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) in Homestead.

Learn More

The event’s keynote speakers included Dr. Joe Maluchnik, superintendent of Woodland Hills School District, and Summer Pendro, M.Ed., director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment at Wilkinsburg School District. 

During the event, attendees discussed the importance of a connected early childhood continuum for birth through age 9 and how strong partnerships lead to effective kindergarten transition.

Attendees included personnel from school districts across Allegheny County and the southwestern Pennsylvania region, early childhood education partners, community partners, and Trying Together Early Childhood Advocacy Fellows.

Participants shared personal stories, triumphs, and resources and discussed ideas for educational initiatives for the summer and beyond. Attendees were recognized for increasing on-time enrollment, commitments to policy and advocacy, building a culture of belonging, and supporting the network through shared learning and professional development.

Clairton, Duquesne, Cornell, Northgate, and Sto-Rox school districts were recognized for on-time registration rates of more than 10 percent. Sto-Rox reached 100 percent on-time enrollment for the 2023-24 school year. Other recognition awards were given to Hi5! partners for community engagement and policy and advocacy achievements – including Avonworth School District for its national recognition by the U.S. Department of Education for positive parent engagement programming. 

Trying Together will host an UnConference on kindergarten transition in February 2026.

About Hi5!

Hi5! is a partnership between the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and Trying Together that is aimed at supporting on-time kindergarten registration and readiness for students in Southwestern Pennsylvania

In the 2023-2024 school year, the average on-time kindergarten enrollment for Allegheny County was 94.4 percent.

Federal Actions and Proposals Threaten Head Start Programs

News

April 30, 2025

Federal Actions and Proposals Threaten Head Start Programs

The federal administration recently announced a proposal to eliminate Head Start, a 60-year-old federally funded program that provides comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services to low-income children, ages 3-5, and their families as well as pregnant women and infants/toddlers under age 3. 

Head Start serves nearly 30,000 Pennsylvania children at 806 centers and employs nearly 10,000 staff members. In total, Head Start serves 750,000 children across all 50 states. Head Start is a critical program within the early care and education infrastructure and a high-quality child care option for families living in poverty.

“We have decades of data showing early childhood education drives economic mobility, strengthens communities, and reduces the need for costly interventions later,” said Cara Ciminillo, executive director for Trying Together. “Gutting a program that serves nearly a million children and families each year would set us back generations — and cost us far more in the long run.”

In recent months, a number of actions by the current administration have led to disruption and confusion for families and educators, delays in payments to local Head Start grantees, and loss of employment for Head Start and Office of Child Care staff at the federal level. Additionally, five Head Start Regional Offices were closed, representing half of all regional offices across the country, including 22 states, six territories, and 467 Tribal governments. This has resulted in diminished capacity for federal grant awards, monitoring, and technical assistance as well as a major loss of content knowledge expertise for early childhood.

In response to these actions, the Pennsylvania Head Start Association (PHSA) has joined with a coalition of several state Head Start associations as well as two Parent Voices of Oakland, Family Forward Oregon, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Ted Waters to file a complaint to prevent the dismantling of Head Start. 

“The administration is taking Head Start apart piece by piece by slow walking grants, making it harder to access rigorously approved funding, and executive orders that cut at the heart of serving children and families in our communities,” PHSA said in an April 28 email to supporters. 

“These actions will result in the widespread termination of services for children and families that rely on Head Start for their childcare needs and are contrary to the Head Start Act, violates constitutional separation of powers, spending clause, due process (vagueness), First Amendment and the APA and is arbitrary and capricious. The President can’t thwart statutory directives by defunding the program.”

Read more. 

Take Action

Trying Together is deeply concerned with the proposed elimination of Head Start and urges federal policymakers to prevent the dismantling of this critical service. Make your voice and take action in one of the following ways: 

Working Together Webinar

News

April 29, 2025

Working Together Webinar

Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA will hold a webinar that will focus on advocating for funding in the 2025-26 Pennsylvania state budget.

Learn More

The webinar, which will be offered in English and Spanish, will include discussions on:

  • Advocating for early learning in the 2025-26 state budget
  • State legislation updates
  • Federal advocacy update and opportunities for child care

The webinar will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 8. Those interested should register in advance for the Zoom webinar. Those who register will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Speakers will include Pre-K for PA, Start Strong PA, and the Provider Advisory Board. Other organizations participating include Trying Together, Pennsylvania Head Start Association, Pennsylvania Child Care Association, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, and Champions for Early Education.

Registration Open for UnConference: Authentic Engagement in Out-of-School Time Programs

News

April 25, 2025

Registration Open for UnConference: Authentic Engagement in Out-of-School Time Programs

Registration is now open for UnConference: Authentic Engagement in Out-of-School Time Programs on Thursday, June 5 at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center. Trying Together, APOST, and the Allegheny Department of Human Services will host a day full of informative sessions and workshops.

Participants will be able to attend expert-led sessions that focus on mindfulness techniques, opening the senses and immersing oneself in nature, behavior management, PBS programs that cover such topics as literacy and social and emotional wellness, and developing lasting relationships with students.

Upon registering, attendees will be asked to select from Track A for First Aid/CPR, or Track B or C for three mini-sessions.

Details

  • Thursday, June 5
  • 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Carnegie Mellon University
    Entertainment Technology Center
    700 Technology Drive
    Pittsburgh, PA 15219

A light breakfast and lunch will be served to participants. The UnConference will begin with a choice of First Aid/CPR or three mini-workshops. Attendees will select their preference during registration.

The afternoon will include an interactive experiential tour of a few of the CMU Entertainment Technology Center’s newest projects and a workshop on Everyday Mentoring from the Mentoring Partnership of Southwest PA.

Tickets for UnConference: Engagement in Out-of-School Time are $25. Registration is open. Space is limited. Workshop sessions will have limited space.

Workshops

Morning

Track A: Pediatric First Aid/CPR

This PQAS-certified blended learning course consists of an in-person class and online coursework. The course provides life-saving skills in alliance with The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Best Practices for Workplace First Aid Training Programs. The online coursework must be completed prior to the in-person class. Access to the online coursework will be provided via email in advance of the event. It is advised to complete the online coursework – which encompasses about three to four hours – at least 48 hours prior to the in-person course. You will need proof of completion by providing a copy of your completion email either printed or on a mobile device to participate in the in-person class.

Track B: Mini Sessions
Wellness Through Nature Chilling
Presenters: Patty Himes and Kathryn Hunninen

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s workshop will focus on how slowing down, opening your senses, and immersing in nature has emotional, mental, and physical health benefits for you and the youth you serve. The workshop will include practicing some of these engaging activities and mindfulness techniques that can be done anywhere. These flexible activities can be used during transition times and as a part of your program.

Mindfulness for Co-Regulation
Presenters: Shannon Jenkins

If we want to better understand our students, a good place to start is the autonomic nervous system. During this workshop hosted by Awaken Pittsburgh, participants will learn about the different human nervous system states, discuss some common triggers, and learn strategies to help us and our students feel more grounded, safe, and ready to learn.

Positive Behavior Management: Facilitator Guide
Presenters: Kierra Price

This workshop by Brookline Teen Outreach focuses on understanding behavior management through a lens of positive connection instead of punishment. The workshop will break down key concepts of behavior management, learning how to identify and apply effective interventions based on individual needs, and engaging in scenario-based problem-solving to practice these skills.

Track C: Mini Sessions
Regulate & Recharge: Simple Tools for You and Your Community
Presenters: Tessa Karel

During this workshop by Open Up Pittsburgh, participants will be able to explore simple, engaging self-regulation tools through yoga, breathing exercises, thought strategies, and social games. These activities help youth navigate moments of dysregulation and can be used across all ages. By practicing together, you’ll support both individual well-being and community care in your program.

PBS 101
Presenters: Cathy Cook and Gina Masciola

This workshop will explore how PBS is a treasure trove of digital and nondigital resources for educators. WQED Education Department staff will provide a comprehensive overview of the most useful and well-liked PBS programs and media tools. Explore the variety of PBS materials on literacy, numeracy, and social and emotional wellness in this fast-paced session that integrates games with books, apps, and videos, while connecting home to school and back. You’ll be amazed and well-equipped to harvest every PBS tool!

Speed Session: Building Relationships via Cultural Connections
Presenter: Sarah Crenshaw

This session, presented by the Center of Life, will provide tools to help develop lasting relationships with students and families, while maintaining cultural sensitivity and acknowledging individual, family, and community identities.

Afternoon

The Mentoring Partnership of Southwest PA will hold a large workshop on “Everyday Mentoring” during the afternoon. Guides will also lead participants around to five interactive activity stations during a tour of the CMU Entertainment Technology Center. The stations will include the Cave Tomb, a green-screen room, sound studio, cavern, and a blocks activity.

What Do I Receive?

  • 7 PQAS/Act 48 credit hours
  • Breakfast and lunch
  • Networking with colleagues
  • Hands-on, interactive workshops
  • A swag bag

Register now

About UnConference

The UnConference is an innovative, hands-on professional development training format in which a deeper experience is provided around a particular theme. Local and national speakers are invited to present and participants are encouraged to engage hands on in the workshops.

The day concludes with a roundtable discussion on how to apply these experiences and ideas in the early childhood environment and share ideas on how to partner with new colleagues.

Thank You To Our Sponsor and Partners

A huge thank you to our series sponsor PNC Grow Up Great and our workshop partners.

Kindergarten Readiness Event Planned for Families in May

News

April 22, 2025

Kindergarten Readiness Event Planned for Families in May

Trying Together, HI5!, and Pittsburgh Public Schools will host a kindergarten readiness event on Wednesday, May 14.

Learn More

The event will enable participants to learn about kindergarten readiness, transition, and enrollment. The event – which includes dinner and children’s activities – will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at CoLab 18 inside Nova Place, located at 100 South Commons in Pittsburgh.

Parking is available through Gate 4 in the garage beneath Nova Place. Parking tickets will be validated as part of attendance. Attendees who require disability or language accommodations or have food allergies should contact valerie@tryingtogether.org by May 1.

See flier or register.

Northside Kindergarten Readiness Event

News

Northside Kindergarten Readiness Event

Trying Together, HI5!, and Pittsburgh Public Schools will host a kindergarten readiness event on Wednesday, May 14.

Learn More

The event will enable participants to learn about kindergarten readiness, transition, and enrollment. The event – which will include dinner and children’s activities – will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at CoLab 18 inside Nova Place, located at 100 South Commons in Pittsburgh.

Parking is available through Gate 4 in the garage beneath Nova Place. Parking tickets will be validated as part of attendance. Attendees who require disability or language accommodations or have food allergies should contact valerie@tryingtogether.org by May 1.

Registration is available through this flier.

Trying Together Honors Early Childhood Educators at Annual Celebration Dinner

News

April 16, 2025

Trying Together Honors Early Childhood Educators at Annual Celebration Dinner

Nearly 800 early childhood educators and advocates joined Trying Together on April 10 for its Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner at Acrisure Stadium.

The Westinghouse Academy marching band greeted attendees as they arrived at the event, which included a dinner, photo booth, raffle prizes, and networking. The formal presentation featured a video from Governor Josh Shapiro, who spoke about the importance of early childhood education in Pennsylvania and proposed investments for recruitment and retention.

Honorees

Trying Together Executive Director Cara Ciminillo paid tribute to the dinner’s two honorees – Riverview Children’s Center Executive Director Betty Lisowski and Dr. Aisha White, program director for the Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education (P.R.I.D.E.) at the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development.

“With more than 40 years’ experience, Betty has been the catalyst for sustained, high-quality early care and education and expansion at Riverview Children’s Center,” Ciminillo said of Lisowski. “Betty has positively impacted thousands of children, families, and colleagues through the high-quality care and education Riverview provides while also being a working mother of three.”

Lisowski’s co-workers at Riverview paid homage to her work at the center in a video. Lisowski cited author and speaker Jim Collins’ quote that “great vision without great people is irrelevant” in describing those with whom she has worked in early childhood education.

“I am truly blessed to have spent my entire 43-year career in this field,” she said. “It has been a journey I wouldn’t trade for anything. I’ve loved the work, but more importantly I’ve loved and cherished the people I’ve had the privilege to work with.”

Ciminillo noted Dr. White’s work in helping children find pride in their racial identity as well as her decades-long engagement in the arts, social activism and work involving racial awareness.

During a speech following her own tribute video, White noted that many children in America are struggling, citing Black infant mortality rates that are nearly two times higher than the national average for all races or ethnicities and the fact that 11 million U.S. children live in poverty and 400,000 in foster care.

“While things are not good for children across the board, there’s an extra burden on children of color – and especially Black children – and that’s the burden of racism,” she said. “With respect to race, what we can do is pretty simple: Support children’s positive racial identity development in as many ways as we can, as often as we can, and as effectively as we can.”

Ciminillo also recognized two regional educators – Lesely Crawford, executive director of the ABK Learning and Development Center, and Eva Wood, executive director of Ligonier Valley Learning Center in Latrobe – who were recent honorees at the PennAEYC Voice for Children Awards.

Valuing Educators

During a toast to all of the early childhood educators in attendance, Ciminillo said that a society that values its children must also value those who care for them.

“Tonight, we gather during the Month of the Young Child not just to celebrate, but to honor you,” she said. “Your work is essential. It always has been. But more and more, the world is beginning to understand what you’ve long known – that care is not just an individual act of kindness, it is a public good.”

Indiana County Observed WOYC with Proclamation and Activities

News

April 14, 2025

Indiana County Observed WOYC with Proclamation and Activities

Indiana County kicked off the Week of the Young Child on April 5 with a proclamation, activities, and a movie screening.

Learn More

The county’s Early Care and Education Committee (ECEC) of the Children’s Advisory Committee of Indiana County hosted the event, which began at the Indiana County Courthouse.

Providers from LOLA’s Early Care and Education Center, Indi Kids, and Grand Beginnings Children’s Center joined Indiana County Commissioner Michael Keith and state Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-62nd District) for the reading of the proclamation.

Families then headed to the Indiana Theatre for two screenings of the 2024 film “The Wild Robot” with discounted tickets and accompanying crafts. 

Trying Together and the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) provided advocacy activities for families, while Commonplace Coffee brought drinks and treats for attendees.

Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center Hosts WOYC Open House

News

April 8, 2025

Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center Hosts WOYC Open House

The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center held an open house event on April 7 as part of its Week of the Young Child (WOYC) activities.

The open house was held during WOYC’s Musical Monday and featured Operations Better Block – a Homewood-based community organization that enables residents to assume the primary role in formulating community development goals consistent with their perception of community needs – and Crescent Early Childhood Center.

Activities included a guitar craft, music and dancing, play, food, refreshments, and learning about the work that the event’s visitors provide for the community.

The Hub closed out its collaboration with Playnotes with a Tasty Tuesday Storytime event. On Work Together Wednesday, the Hub celebrated the WOYC with Reading is Fundamental’s Storymobile with a Storytime event that included playing with a parachute. The week was closed out with a Family Movie Night that included a screening of “Moana 2.”

The National Association of the Young Child first established the Week of the Young Child in 1971 as a week to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognize early childhood programs and services that are centered around those needs. Increased interest over time led Trying Together to designate the entire month of April as the Month of the Young Child.

ABOUT THE HOMEWOOD EARLY LEARNING HUB & FAMILY CENTER

The Hub supports the early learning needs of young children, families, and early educators in the Homewood community. It offers developmentally appropriate activities for children from birth to age 9, individual group support for parents to set and meet goals for their family, and professional growth opportunities for center-, family-, and home-based early learning programs and relative-providers.

The Hub is a community resource of Trying Together. For more information, contact Toni Beasley at toni@tryingtogether.org or visit the Hub’s website.

UnConference: Authentic Engagement in Out-of-School Time Programs

News

UnConference: Authentic Engagement in Out-of-School Time Programs

Registration is now open for UnConference: Authentic Engagement in Out-of-School Time Programs scheduled for Thursday, June 5 at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center. Join Trying Together, APOST, and the Allegheny County Department of Human Services for a day full of informative sessions and workshops.

Participants will be able to attend expert-led sessions that focus on mindfulness techniques, opening the senses and immersing oneself in nature, behavior management, PBS programs that cover such topics as literacy and social and emotional wellness, and developing lasting relationships with students.

Upon registering, attendees will be asked to select from Track A for First Aid/CPR, or Track B or C for three mini-sessions.

Register now.

Please note: With the understanding that some programs wishing to attend the upcoming Unconference: Authentic Engagement in Out-of-School Time are still in the process of hiring summer staff, the registration form allows for registration without specifying the name of every attendee.

The main registrant can put their own name in the place of attendee names. If it is known what morning sessions the attendees will need to attend, please select those as well. Our team will follow up a week prior to the event to get the names, email addresses, sessions, and any dietary needs of your attendees.

Details

  • Thursday, June 5
  • 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Carnegie Mellon University
    Entertainment Technology Center
    700 Technology Drive
    Pittsburgh, PA 15219

A light breakfast and lunch will be served to participants. The UnConference will begin with a choice of First Aid/CPR or three mini-workshops. Attendees will select their preference during registration.

The afternoon will include an interactive experiential tour of a few of the CMU Entertainment Technology Center’s newest projects and a workshop on Everyday Mentoring from the Mentoring Partnership of Southwest PA.

Tickets for UnConference: Engagement in Out-of-School Time are $25. Registration is open. Space is limited. Workshop sessions will have limited space.

Workshops

Morning

Track A: Pediatric First Aid/CPR

This PQAS-certified blended learning course consists of an in-person class and online coursework. The course provides life-saving skills in alliance with The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Best Practices for Workplace First Aid Training Programs. The online coursework must be completed prior to the in-person class. Access to the online coursework will be provided via email in advance of the event. It is advised to complete the online coursework – which encompasses about three to four hours – at least 48 hours prior to the in-person course. You will need proof of completion by providing a copy of your completion email either printed or on a mobile device to participate in the in-person class.

Track B: Mini Sessions
Wellness Through Nature Chilling
Presenters: Patty Himes and Kathryn Hunninen

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s workshop will focus on how slowing down, opening your senses, and immersing in nature has emotional, mental, and physical health benefits for you and the youth you serve. The workshop will include practicing some of these engaging activities and mindfulness techniques that can be done anywhere. These flexible activities can be used during transition times and as a part of your program.

Mindfulness for Co-Regulation
Presenters: Shannon Jenkins

If we want to better understand our students, a good place to start is the autonomic nervous system. During this workshop hosted by Awaken Pittsburgh, participants will learn about the different human nervous system states, discuss some common triggers, and learn strategies to help us and our students feel more grounded, safe, and ready to learn.

Positive Behavior Management: Facilitator Guide
Presenters: Kierra Price

This workshop by Brookline Teen Outreach focuses on understanding behavior management through a lens of positive connection instead of punishment. The workshop will break down key concepts of behavior management, learning how to identify and apply effective interventions based on individual needs, and engaging in scenario-based problem-solving to practice these skills.

Track C: Mini Sessions
Regulate & Recharge: Simple Tools for You and Your Community
Presenters: Tessa Karel

During this workshop by Open Up Pittsburgh, participants will be able to explore simple, engaging self-regulation tools through yoga, breathing exercises, thought strategies, and social games. These activities help youth navigate moments of dysregulation and can be used across all ages. By practicing together, you’ll support both individual well-being and community care in your program.

PBS 101
Presenters: Cathy Cook and Gina Masciola

This workshop will explore how PBS is a treasure trove of digital and nondigital resources for educators. WQED Education Department staff will provide a comprehensive overview of the most useful and well-liked PBS programs and media tools. Explore the variety of PBS materials on literacy, numeracy, and social and emotional wellness in this fast-paced session that integrates games with books, apps, and videos, while connecting home to school and back. You’ll be amazed and well-equipped to harvest every PBS tool!

Building Relationships via Cultural Connections
Presenter: Sarah Crawshaw

This session, presented by the Center of Life, will provide tools to help develop lasting relationships with students and families, while maintaining cultural sensitivity and acknowledging individual, family, and community identities.

Afternoon

The Mentoring Partnership of Southwest PA will hold a large workshop on “Everyday Mentoring” during the afternoon. Guides will also lead participants around to five interactive activity stations during a tour of the CMU Entertainment Technology Center. The stations will include the Cave Tomb, a green-screen room, sound studio, cavern, and a blocks activity.

What Do I Receive?

  • 7 PQAS/Act 48 credit hours
  • Breakfast and lunch
  • Networking with colleagues
  • Hands-on, interactive workshops
  • A swag bag

Register now

About UnConference

The UnConference is an innovative, hands-on professional development training format in which a deeper experience is provided around a particular theme. Local and national speakers are invited to present and participants are encouraged to engage hands on in the workshops.

The day concludes with a roundtable discussion on how to apply these experiences and ideas in the early childhood environment and share ideas on how to partner with new colleagues.

Thank You To Our Sponsor and Partners

A huge thank you to our series sponsor PNC Grow Up Great and our workshop partners.