September 17, 2025 ASQ Day at The Hub On Oct. 10, staff at the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center will be available to administer the ASQ-3 developmental screening tool and provide feedback and/or resources to caregivers. Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®) provides reliable, accurate developmental and social-emotional screening for children between birth and age 6. Drawing on parents’ expert knowledge, ASQ has been specifically designed to pinpoint developmental progress and catch delays in young children—paving the way for meaningful next steps in learning, intervention, or monitoring. Caregivers must register their child and choose a timeslot, anticipating that the screening will take approximately one hour. Two children can be screened during a single timeslot. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10. Those interested in attending should register now. Please contact Nicole Banner at nicole@tryingtogether.org with any questions.
Trying Together Presents at State of Black Learning Conference in Pittsburgh Trying Together presented at the Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh’s State of Black Learning Conference on Aug. 8, helping to drive conversations and strategies to dismantle systemic inequities in education. Learn More Our partnership contributed to actionable initiatives that strengthen Black students’ learning experiences. Representing Trying Together, Policy and Practice Manager Hailee B. Roye presented “Cultivating Advocacy in Early Childhood Education: Building ECE Champions.” Presented to a full house, the session sparked a powerful discussion on the role of advocacy, how it empowers educators and families, and how collective action can drive positive change for young learners. Through hands-on activities such as power mapping, role playing, and a 30-second legislator pitch, participants practiced real advocacy tools. These interactive strategies not only showcased the importance of elevating early learning, but also offered models participants could adapt in their own communities. Together, we highlighted the stories of providers, researchers, parents, and everyday advocates, continuing to uplift and advance the early childhood education field. The conference featured more than 70 speakers from such organizations as When Brown Girls Lead, Valiant Cross Academy, National Association of Black Male Educators, The Freedom Center for Arts and Education, and Baltimore and Washington D.C.’s public school systems. For more information on the conference, visit its website.
September 15, 2025 Strong Minds, Bright Futures to Host Community Listening Sessions on Children’s Mental Health A new statewide coalition supporting children’s mental health in schools, communities, and care systems – to which Trying Together recently signed on as a partner organization – will host community listening sessions this fall. Learn More Strong Minds, Bright Futures will host the sessions throughout the fall, including two in the region. The events will focus on solutions-focused conversations between families, youth, educators, health providers, and community leaders on the topic of strengthening children’s mental health in the state. The free, family-friendly events will be held on: Monday, Sept. 29: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kovalchick Complex, 711 Pratt Drive in Indiana Tuesday, Sept. 30: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jewish Healthcare Foundation, 625 Liberty Avenue, #2500, in Pittsburgh For more information on the events, call 267-361-7945, email info@strongmindspa.org, or visit the Strong Minds, Bright Futures website.
Trying Together Article on EIM Directors Series Featured on Simple Interactions Website An article by Trying Together on Everyday Interaction Matter (EIM) and its directors series is featured on the Simple Interactions website. Learn More The article, “Trying Together’s EIM Directors Series Supports Directors and Educators Participating in Everyday Interactions Matter,” discusses how Trying Together’s experience with EIM began and how it helped to develop a series of professional development sessions for providers. The article, written by Karian Wise, an interactions design strategist for Trying Together, delves into how Trying Together works directly with educators to build skills and improve program quality. “Through our work with programs, we realized that interactions between adults within programs are as important as the interactions between adults and children,” the article reads. Trying Together’s EIM Directors Series teaches professionals to recognize meaningful daily interactions and share practices with peers. Its aim is to provide directors with a method to think about interactions with caregivers and staff that aligns with the Everyday Interactions Matter approach and to support relationship building. To learn more about the components and sessions in Trying Together’s EIM Directors Series, read the article on the Simple Interactions website. Simple Interactions is a practice-based, strengths-focused, and community-driven approach to support helpers who serve children, youth, and families.
September 12, 2025 Strong Minds, Bright Futures: Community Listening Sessions on Children’s Mental Health Strong Minds, Bright Futures will host the sessions throughout the fall, including two in the region. The statewide coalition – of which Trying Together is a partner organization – supports children’s mental health in schools, communities, and care systems. The events will focus on solutions-focused conversations between families, youth, educators, health providers, and community leaders on the topic of strengthening children’s mental health in the state. The free, family-friendly events will be held on: Monday, Sept. 29: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kovalchick Complex, 711 Pratt Drive in Indiana Tuesday, Sept. 30: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jewish Healthcare Foundation, 625 Liberty Avenue, #2500, in Pittsburgh For more information on the events, call 267-361-7945, email info@strongmindspa.org, or visit the Strong Minds, Bright Futures website.
Strong Minds, Bright Futures: Community Listening Sessions on Children’s Mental Health Strong Minds, Bright Futures will host the sessions throughout the fall, including two in the region. The statewide coalition – of which Trying Together is a partner organization – supports children’s mental health in schools, communities, and care systems. The events will focus on solutions-focused conversations between families, youth, educators, health providers, and community leaders on the topic of strengthening children’s mental health in the state. The free, family-friendly events will be held on: Monday, Sept. 29: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kovalchick Complex, 711 Pratt Drive in Indiana Tuesday, Sept. 30: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jewish Healthcare Foundation, 625 Liberty Avenue, #2500, in Pittsburgh For more information on the events, call 267-361-7945, email info@strongmindspa.org, or visit the Strong Minds, Bright Futures website.
September 11, 2025 Pilot Program Provides Direct Cash Payments to Home-Based Providers In partnership with Home Grown and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Trying Together is participating in a pilot program to provide direct cash payments to select home-based providers. About the Program The Thriving Providers Project (TPP) – a national initiative spearheaded by Home Grown – seeks to demonstrate how direct cash payments to providers will have positive results for relatives who provide child care to young children. The goal is to reform child care payment policies and influence future decisions around compensation for home-based child care providers. TPP provides pre-selected caregivers with a direct cash payment of $500 monthly, understanding that the support to providers reduces financial stress and ultimately improves the early learning experiences of the children and families they serve. “I can afford to take the children on field trips,” shared Relative Provider Tywanda Powell. “I bought them school supplies and better toys. I was able to just do extra for the children.” Program Participants Communities with limited access to resources such as affordable child care, transportation and healthcare, were prioritized to ensure support reached families with the greatest need. Within these neighborhoods, participant selection emphasized caregivers whose roles have had a significant impact on child and family well-being. Grandparents and great-grandparents raising grandchildren were prioritized for the stability, intergenerational connection, and nurturing environment they provide, often while managing limited financial resources. Caregivers of children under age five were included given the critical importance of the early years for child development, when consistent care and support have the greatest long-term benefits. Caregivers providing care during nontraditional hours were also prioritized, as they help families balance essential work responsibilities with the challenge of securing reliable care outside of standard availability. By centering these caregiving strengths, the program directs resources to families whose dedication and resilience most directly influences children’s growth and stability, ensuring funds provide both immediate relief and long-term community benefit. “The program not only supports caregivers who are often underrecognized and underpaid but also improves access to reliable, nurturing care for families, particularly in underserved communities,” explains Bliss Letang, director of equity initiatives at Trying Together. “Additionally, TPP generates valuable evidence on the impact of direct cash payments, informing future policies and reforms around fair compensation for home-based providers, while fostering stronger connections between children, families, and their caregivers.” The Thriving Providers Project’s philosophy is based on a belief that people should be trusted to make decisions for themselves. Drawing on learning from guaranteed income initiatives around the nation and best practices in early childhood education, the program’s mission is to support and stabilize caregivers and, in the process, improve the availability and quality of care for children and families. The transfers enable providers to make decisions that are best for the children and families they serve. Home-based Child Care Statistics Home-based child care providers are the largest population of caregivers serving the largest number of children, ages five and below. A total of 30% of infants and toddlers attend home-based child care as their primary care arrangement, compared to just 12% in centers, according to the program. However, home-based care providers receive little public support, which makes them more vulnerable to financial emergencies or crises. On average, family child care providers work 56 hours per week and earn around $29,000. About 30% of them rely on at least one other job. For more information, see the Thriving Providers Project Fact Sheet.
September 10, 2025 Trying Together Celebrates Relative Care Providers at Grandparents Day Event In recognition of National Grandparents Day, Trying Together held a celebration event to honor grandparents who provide daily child care for their grandchildren. Learn More Hosted by the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center on Sunday, September 7, the event included food, painting, and games. Attendees connected with one another and shared their stories. Children of all ages accompanied their grandparents and had the opportunity to participate in the activities and explore the Hub’s play areas. “Out of the over 450 relative care providers in Allegheny County who act as daily caregivers for young children while their parents are at work, approximately 65% are grandparents,” said Bliss Letang, director of equity initiatives at Trying Together. “This event was an opportunity to recognize the dedication of these grandparents and the impact they have on the lives of their grandchildren.” Trying Together was a cosponsor for Home Grown’s Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Appreciation Week, which was an opportunity to celebrate the more than five million family, friend, and neighbor caregivers who look after 11.5 million children annually.
September 9, 2025 Trying Together’s Director of Public Policy Discusses Early Childhood Education Crisis on PCN Capitol Preview Trying Together’s director of public policy appeared this week on The PCN Capitol Preview to discuss Pennsylvania’s ongoing early childhood education staffing and funding crisis. Learn More Emily Neff, Trying Together’s director of public policy, appeared on the program on Tuesday, Sept. 8 to discuss what Trying Together does to support early childhood development as well as the state’s teacher shortage and budget impasse. “We are in a crisis,” Neff said. “The system is not working for everyone. Early childhood educators are woefully underpaid for the amazing work they do for our children. Families are paying as much for their rent or mortgage as they do for child care – and that’s if they can find it.” Neff said many parents – including herself – are on long waiting lists to get their children into a program. Often, she added, programs have classrooms that are closed that could serve more children, but cannot due to the state’s staffing crisis. She said that one program she knows of recently closed its toddler class, while another said it would shut down if it lost another teacher. Neff cited Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed $55 million child care teacher recruitment and retention line item as an opportunity to address the state’s early education crisis. “It’s a great opportunity for Pennsylvania to put itself on the map,” she said. “It would be a $1,000 payment to teachers, but we don’t know what’s going to happen with that right now.” She said that the state’s budget impasse – during which the state Legislature has not passed a budget more than two months past the deadline, resulting public schools not receiving state funding that educators say is critical to keep them operating – has led some programs to lay off teachers, while parents have been left to find care elsewhere. “We need more investments to make sure that programs have what they need, teachers are being paid better, and families have access – and it’s not costing families more than what they’ve already been paying,” Neff said. The PCN Capitol Preview is available on YouTube.
September 8, 2025 Trying Together Testifies At PA House Public Hearing on State Child Care System Trying Together’s director of public policy testified at an August public hearing held by the state House of Representatives’ Republican Policy Committee to examine challenges facing Pennsylvania’s child care system and discuss solutions. Learn More Emily Neff, Trying Together’s director of public policy, was among those who testified at the hearing. Speakers discussed the impact on families, providers, and the economy caused by low pay, workforce shortages, and rising costs of care. Policymakers also expressed interest in exploring regulatory reforms to ease the burden and reduce red tape for child care programs. “When looking for solutions within the regulations, it’s critical to make sure that we are not making changes that tie directly to child health, safety, and quality learning,” Neff said. “We hear that liability costs are unsustainable. We hear so many stories across Allegheny County that zoning codes create barriers to open or maintain a home-based child care business.” During her testimony, Neff said that many families pay the same amount for their rent or mortgage that they do for child care and noted that the pay for early childhood educators is driving viable candidates away from the field. “The problem is not the pipeline,” she said. “There are dedicated people who are passionate about educating young children – but when they’re told that the wage is $15.15 an hour, people don’t want to or truly cannot pursue that path.” The hearing was held as part of the House Republican Policy Committee’s ongoing work to engage with stakeholders across the state and ensure that proposed policy solutions support families, strengthen the workforce, and create opportunity. “All too often, Pennsylvania families are priced out of quality, affordable child care and have to second guess whether they can afford to pursue or maintain a career,” said state Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Washington), who hosted the hearing. “By hearing directly from those who work in child care, my House colleagues and I are better positioned to craft common sense solutions that address this important issue.” The full hearing is available online.
