News

May 7, 2026

Eligible Children With Scholarship from Keystone Scholars Can Receive $25 Bonus

Allegheny County residents who have claimed a scholarship from Keystone Scholars for eligible children can receive an additional $25 bonus.

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The $25 Power Their Future bonus, which is provided by Neighborhood Allies, is available for county residents who have a scholarship from Keystone Scholars for children born between 2019 and 2025.

To receive the bonus, caregivers must claim a Keystone Scholars account and enroll in Fund My Future PGH. Once enrolled, they can access their Keystone Scholars account and confirm their Fund My Future PGH raffle ticket number.

The bonus will go to anyone who is enrolled in Fund My Future PGH and claims the scholarship between May and July.

Keystone Scholars provides a $100 scholarship to all children born to Pennsylvania residents between 2019 and after. The scholarship can be used for a child’s post-high school training and education expenses. Those with eligible children can claim an account online.

Those with Keystone Scholars scholarships can claim the $25 bonus online.

News

May 4, 2026

Report Details Trying Together’s Participation in Child Care Sector Quality Initiative

Shift Work Forward – a national organization aimed at redesigning workforce systems to advance racial equity and improve job quality – recently released a report on the national crisis facing the child care sector and the work done in four communities that focused on the workforce.

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The report, Breaking the Triple Bind: How Worker-Centered Solutions are Transforming Childcare, details the partnerships between Shift Work Forward and organizations from Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Akron, and Des Moines. As part of the Shifting the Childcare Industry initiative, local partners worked in their communities to build or strengthen cross-sector coalitions that took on a shared challenge: improving job quality in childcare by centering the people who do the work.

Each community involved in the initiative approached it from a different starting point and pursued a different intervention that was shaped by local conditions.

Trying Together was part of a tri-sector coalition in Pittsburgh that also included Partner 4 Work and the Allegheny Department of Children Initiatives. This coalition focused on educator mental health and co-designed workplace-based supports to improve teacher retention and job quality.

During the project, 168 frontline educators across 10 Pittsburgh programs shared their experiences, providing data for the initiative and helping to shape its direction. These educators identified mental health support as the priority.

The Pittsburgh organizations launched mental health supports with a shared coach across 14 centers and co-created an onboarding passport that standardized onboarding and aimed to ensure that new hires felt capable and confident in doing their jobs.

The coalition also created a Wellness Navigation model designed around how workers experience stress, burnout, and other mental health concerns on the job that was piloted by eight child care centers that embedded mental health support directly into child care workplaces.

Each participating program chose an educator to serve as a wellness navigation champion – a peer who was trained and compensated for their time. Champions provided support to their colleagues, helping them navigate wellness resources and connect to the type of help they needed. The local coalition also partnered with a licensed therapist to develop on-demand, one-on-one mental health coaching support through a team of practitioners for early educators.

“We ask educators to hold so much – children’s emotions, families’ stress, systems that are under-resourced,” explained Cara Ciminillo, executive director for Trying Together. “This project starts with a simple truth: If we want children to thrive, we have to care for the health of the people who care for them.”

Shift Work Forward supported the coalition through the process with equity-centered coaching and technical assistance that helped the partners navigate their differences and stay focused on job quality as the through-line from design to implementation.

To learn more about the initiative and the work that was accomplished by the Pittsburgh coalition, read Shift Work Forward’s report.

News

May 1, 2026

Trying Together Honors Early Educators at Annual Celebration Event

Nearly 800 early educators, community leaders, and supporters came together for an evening of joy and recognition at Trying Together’s annual celebration event.

Held April 30 at Rivers Casino, Celebrating Together honored and uplifted the work of early childhood education. The event included a new pre-dinner reception to present the inaugural Keystone Award for Early Childhood Advocacy, followed by the 30th Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner.

Keystone Award for Early Childhood Advocacy

Celebrating Together kicked off with a reception to present the inaugural Keystone Award for Early Childhood Advocacy to the Shapiro-Davis Administration, in recognition of its historic investments in the early childhood workforce.

Local policymakers and community leaders delivered remarks touting the critical role early childhood educators play in supporting not just the growth and development of young children, but also the economic success of our region and state.

In her remarks, Pittsburgh First Lady Katie O’Connor urged greater support for early childhood educators, saying, “We must provide them with the advocacy, the resources, and the professional growth opportunities that they deserve.”

Stacy Juchno, corporate responsibility officer for PNC, emphasized the importance of community partnerships.

“Gatherings like this remind me of the lasting change that happens through relationships,” she said. “It happens when public, private, and nonprofit partners choose to work closely together to build trust over time and commit to long-term solutions.”

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamarato rounded out remarks by sharing an optimistic and family-forward vision for the future of the county.

Trying Together Executive Director Cara Ciminillo then presented the award, which was accepted by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis on behalf of the Shapiro-Davis administration.

Davis expressed his gratitude for the work of early childhood educators.

“I want to thank you on behalf of our entire administration […] for all the work that you do,” he said. “We are humbled and honored to carry this every single day and make progress for our most precious resource – our children.”

Celebrating Together

The 30th Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner included a sit-down meal and numerous activities.

Before dinner began, Ciminillo welcomed early childhood educators, thanking them for the work they do.

“Let this evening be a reminder that you matter,” she said. “The care you give matters. And a society that truly values its children must first value those who care for them. Thank you for all that you do, and please enjoy your night of celebration – you deserve it!”

Ciminillo expressed appreciation for the sponsors that helped to make Celebrating Together happen before introducing Dr. Kendra Ross, head of purpose and experiences at Duolingo.

Dr. Ross recognized Trying Together as one of Duolingo’s Social Impact team’s earliest and most trusted partners, helping them reach families and providers in Pittsburgh at the very start of a child’s learning journey. Ross also thanked those gathered.

“Tonight is a celebration of the people who hold that trust every single day – you, the educators in this room,” she said. “You are not just doing a job. You are building the foundation on which everything else stands.”

Allegheny County District 3 Council Representative Lissa Geiger Shulman concluded remarks by presenting a proclamation that declared April the Month of the Young Child.

Following remarks, guests were free to spend the rest of the evening eating, dancing to music provided by BMW entertainment, and participating in the activities around the event space. Photo opportunities included photobooths of three different styles, a shimmer wall, lighted signs, and balloon arches.

Each attendee had the opportunity to assemble a vase at the flower station, while the policy team led a friendship bracelet-making activity. Guests were also given tickets for a chance to win one of 74 register-to-win baskets.

Thank you to our sponsors for your generous support!

Premier
Duolingo
ELRC Region 5

Supporting
PNC
The Grable Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
University of Pittsburgh
UPMC
AT&T
Highmark Health

Advocate

Carlow University
Early Childhood Funders Alliance
Champion
Allegheny Conference

News

April 24, 2026

Trying Together Names Project Destiny Director as Advocate of the Month

Trying Together has selected Gwen Marcus, the director of Project Destiny, as its April advocate of the month.

Project Destiny provides a safe place where youth and families can find resources and get involved in support groups or cultural and educational programming. It aims to heighten children’s expectations and promote cultural awareness, respect, and physical, emotional, and social growth.

Learn More

Trying Together Kindergarten Transition Program Director Valerie Williams said that Gwen frequently gets involved in numerous activities – including sending children’s artwork to state legislators, attending Trying Together’s UnConferences, staff training, engaging with Hi5!, and partnering with community organizations to build broader connections.

“Gwen always shows up!,” Williams said.

Marcus said she became an advocate for early childhood education because she wanted to see change for early childhood educators, caregivers, and children.

“To be honest, I was a little hesitant at first,” she said. “I thought my voice wouldn’t make a difference. But the more I talked to advocates, I realized I wanted to be part of the change. Classrooms were closing, parents were struggling to pay for services, and it was becoming difficult to maintain staff – and the staff who stayed were finding it difficult to make ends meet.”

She said that in the years since she has made the decision to become an early childhood advocate, she has challenged elected officials to do right by early childhood educators.

“I also challenge early childhood educators, families, and community partners to raise their voices and start advocating for the future of our scholars, our community, and for the quality of our care for our future leaders, which they deserve and should receive,” she said.

Hear why advocacy is important to Gwen:

News

April 10, 2026

Christian Kuntz Foundation Provides $10K Scholarship to Jeremiah’s Place

The Kuntz 4 Ki6s Foundation provided a $10,000 scholarship on Friday to the bridge scholarship program for Jeremiah’s Place, a 24-7 crisis center for single mothers, and Trying Together.

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The foundation – which is operated by Steeler Christian Kuntz and his wife, Heather – promotes youth leadership and engagement, fosters mentoring relationships, and supports underserved communities. It also provides holiday joy to single mothers and their children.

While providing a check for the scholarship on Friday, Christian Kuntz told the Big News Network that he had a soft spot for Jeremiah’s Place, which is the city’s only 24-hour crisis nursery that provides emergency child care for families in need.

“We got linked with them a couple years ago through the Steelers for our nonprofit and we’re providing a scholarship of $10,000 that will act as a bridge for the moms to be able to go on job interviews and pursue opportunities that they wouldn’t be able to pursue because of their situation,” Kuntz said.

Kuntz, who grew up with a single mother, added that the scholarship would help about 50 mothers and children.

“With these bridge scholarships from the Kuntz 4 Ki6s Foundation, we hope they are just the kick-off to working together to support more young children and their families,” said Maria Pisano, Trying Together’s director of community relations. “As the lead organization for the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center on Kelly Street, we know first-hand the positive difference that wrap-around supports make for families. As an early childhood advocacy organization, we also work daily to increase access to high-quality child care in our region and statewide.”

The bridge scholarship will be administered based on individual family needs to provide:

Immediate access to safe care
Gap funding for child care coverage
Wraparound stabilization support

“Access to high-quality child care is an ongoing constraint to the stability of families,” said Cara Ciminillo, Trying Together’s executive director. “While public subsidies exist, the process to apply, be approved, and find child care can be lengthy. In the meantime, caregivers often must pause their careers, resulting in delayed or missed job opportunities that contribute to financial instability, and inconsistent care and education arrangements that do not best support their children’s healthy development.”

To learn more, read the Big News Network’s full story.

News

Rep. Lee Hosts Roundtable Discussion on the Importance of Head Start

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (D-12th) hosted a roundtable discussion Friday on the importance of Head Start with educators, parents, providers, and early childhood advocates. Emily Neff, Trying Together’s director of public policy, helped facilitate the discussion, which was held at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit at The Waterfront in Homestead.

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At the event, Lee discussed the need to expand access to high-quality early childhood education for working families and highlighted her recently introduced Head Start for America’s Children Act, which would dramatically expand the program nationwide, raise wages for educators, and strengthen support services for families.

“Every child deserves not just a chance to survive, but a real chance to survive,” Lee said. “Head Start has opened doors for generations of children, giving them a strong start in the classroom and an even stronger foundation in life. In the richest country in the world, early childhood education cannot be a luxury for a lucky few. It must be treated like the public good it is.”

The event also included a tour of a local Head Start classroom.

The roundtable included representatives from early childhood education programs, public schools, advocacy organizations, and families directly affected by Head Start. Participants shared stories about the vital role the program plays in preparing children for school, connecting families to critical supports, and sustaining communities across the region.

“For 60 years, Head Start has served as a cornerstone program within the early childhood system, providing the essential education, care, and resources that families and young children need to thrive,” Neff said.

Neff noted that Friday’s roundtable was timely as early childhood educators prepare for the Week of the Young Child and Trying Together celebrates the Month of the Young Child in April.

“It is vital that we honor the educators who create high-quality early learning experiences and take steps toward investing in the critical work they do for our youngest children,” said Neff, who added that Lee’s Head Start for America’s Children Act takes necessary steps to prioritize competitive compensation for early childhood professionals.

Over the past 60 years, Head Start programs have provided high-quality early education and comprehensive services to more than 40 million children and families nationwide. Today, nearly 800,000 children receive early education, health and dental care, and nutritious meals through the program, while families also gain access to referrals for job training, adult education, nutrition services, and housing support.

Lee’s bill – which was introduced with U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) as the House companion to legislation by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) – would expand the program to serve more than 11 million eligible young children nationwide.

The Head Start for America’s Children Act would:

Fully fund Head Start for eligible children
Align program hours with working families’ schedules
Raise Head Start educator pay to at least $60,000 per year
Strengthen recruitment and retention
Expand partnerships with child care providers and college campuses
Improve mental health services
Invest in facility upgrades, including the removal of lead contamination in paint and water

Lee serves on the House’s Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Education and Workforce.

News

April 7, 2026

Five Ways to Advocate for Early Childhood Education During Month of the Young Child

There are numerous ways to advocate for early childhood education during April, which is celebrated by Trying Together as the Month of the Young Child and includes a regional advocacy blitz.

It is an important time to collectively work together to create systemic and policy change for young children, families, and the educators who serve them. No action is too small and can be part of your day. Think of advocacy as educating policymakers on the reality of early childhood education and the families of young children to ensure their needs are met and to receive the resources and investments necessary for a thriving early childhood education (ECE) system.

April Advocacy Blitz

The Trying Together Policy team supports an April Advocacy Blitz, a regional advocacy effort that aims to amplify the voices of early childhood educators, families, and community partners across the Pittsburgh region, said Emily Neff, Trying Together’s director of public policy.

“Last year, we celebrated a major win – a $25 million recurring investment (in the state budget) for child care recruitment and retention, the first of its kind in nearly 20 years,” Neff said. “While that was a huge step, we’re just getting started.”

Neff noted that as the 2026-2027 state budget is being negotiated, it is a critical time for early childhood advocates in the region to come together to ensure that their voices are heard.

Neff outlined five things to do during April’s Month of the Young Child (MOYC) to advocate for early learning:

Sign Start Strong PA’s petition
Complete the 2026 child care staffing crisis survey
Contact legislators
Submit children’s artwork to legislators
Post on social media

Sign Start Strong PA’s Petition

The first action that advocates can take is to sign Start Strong PA’s petition to include a number of proposed investments for early childhood education in the 2026-2027 state budget. The proposals include:

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

Other recommendations include raising the child care subsidy limit, dedicating funds so programs can better serve children with special needs, and advancing targeted reforms to reduce unnecessary burdens on child care providers while preserving strong health and safety standards to keep children safe.

After signing the petition, share it with your friends, family, colleagues, and community members.

Complete the 2026 Child Care Staffing Crisis Survey

Help to gather real stories and data from the field to inform state policymakers and advocacy efforts by filling out Start Strong PA’s 2026 Child Care Staffing Crisis Survey.

Those who fill out the survey will have the opportunity to discuss staffing issues at their child care programs. The information collected from the 15-minute survey will be used to demonstrate the need for the 2026-2027 state budget to increase funding for the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention program, so that bonuses for the workforce grow.

Those who take out the survey should encourage fellow staff members and families who utilize the program to also participate.

Contact Your Legislator

Another way to make your voice heard on the state’s child care staffing crisis is to reach out directly to the decision-makers in your community.

Start by looking up your state legislators, and then sending an email, making a call, or inviting them to visit your program. Show and tell them why investing in early childhood education is important to your community.

To find your state legislator, visit the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s website.

Submit Children’s Artwork

Another simple and powerful way to advocate is to submit children’s artwork to elected officials who represent your community.

Ask the children in your program to create artwork. If you are already having them create something for the Week of the Young Child, you can use that – or ask them to create something new. An optional step would be to ask them to include a short message, such as “My name is ___ and I love my school because ___.”

Then, find your state legislator’s district office by searching the state General Assembly’s page and then entering your program’s address on the artwork that you submit. Send some of the artwork to your state House representative’s office and some to your state senator’s office.

Post on Social Media

A final, simple way to advocate is to share what you are doing during the Month of the Young Child on social media and tag your legislator in the post.

Information you might consider sharing in the post might include:

Activities taking place at your center
Teachers in action
Children learning and engaging
An explanation of why this week and your work matter

Post your photos on Facebook or Instagram and describe the activities taking place at your center as well as why the Month of the Young Child is important. In your post, tag your state House representative, state senator, and Trying Together.

MOYC and Week of the Young Child

Trying Together celebrates the Month of the Young Child every April in conjunction with the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) yearly observance of the Week of the Young Child.

This year, the Week of the Young Child will be observed April 11 through 17.

More information on how Trying Together and providers are celebrating the Month of the Young Child can be found on Trying Together’s website.

News

April 1, 2026

Trying Together to Be Pittsburgh Pirates Nonprofit of the Game

Trying Together will be spotlighted as the Nonprofit of the Game at the Pittsburgh Pirates game against the Miami Marlins in June. A portion of each ticket benefits Trying Together.

Get your tickets now!

Details

The Pittsburgh Pirates will take on the Marlins at PNC Park at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 14. All tickets include a $5 food and beverage credit. A portion of each ticket purchased goes towards Trying Together’s mission of supporting high-quality care and education for young children by providing advocacy, community resources, and professional growth opportunities for the needs and rights of children, their families, and the individuals who interact with them.

Nonprofit of the Game tickets cost $44.66 – $51.86 and can be purchased online. Purchase tickets by Sunday, June 7. Ticket prices include fees.

Don’t forget to wear your Trying Together gear to show support when you attend the game. Direct any questions about attending or sponsoring the event to Maria Pisano, Trying Together’s Director of Community Relations, at maria@tryingtogether.org.

For more information, check out the event’s flyer.

News

March 26, 2026

Trying Together to Launch Online, Self-paced Course on ‘The Business of Family Child Care’

Are you a family child care owner looking to strengthen your business? Do you currently care for children as a relative provider but are considering becoming licensed?

Trying Together will launch on April 1 “The Business of Family Child Care”, a self-paced online course that dives into starting and maintaining a family child care business. This course will be hosted through the PD Registry and is worth 12 PQAS hours.

The course is designed especially for current family child care owners and relative providers exploring business ownership and licensing. Recognizing that caregivers have busy lives and many responsibilities, the self-paced nature of this course allows learners to complete the work at their own speed and when convenient for them.

The course guides learners through nine modules that include practical tools, clear explanations, and real-world examples. Each module includes a quiz to test understanding, and learners can download helpful tools and resources for use in their business.

These modules focus on creating a safe, compliant, and relationship-centered program where children and families thrive. Learners will discover how to price their services, manage expenses, attract families, and create a sustainable program that supports both passion and income.

Module Details

The Heart of the Business
The Developmental Bottom Line
Child Care Certification and Regulations
Health and Safety Standards
Caring Adults, Safer Children
Family & Community Engagement
Financial Management & Business Operations
Sales & Marketing
Long-Term Planning

Check back next week for more information and a link to sign up for this course.

News

March 17, 2026

How Providers Can Celebrate the Month of the Young Child

Trying Together celebrates the Month of the Young Child (MOYC) every April in conjunction with the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) yearly observance of the Week of the Young Child.

This year, the Week of the Young Child will be observed April 11 through 17.

There are several events taking place in Southwestern Pennsylvania during both the Month of the Young Child and Week of the Young Child.

Month of the Young Child

On Thursday, April 9, Carlow University and Westmoreland County Community College will host the 2026 Early Childhood Educator Student Affiliate Dinner on WCCC’s campus. This year’s theme is “Every Person, Every Path, One Passion,” which celebrates the work of educators to build inclusive education spaces for all learners. Tickets for the event can be purchased online.

Trying Together will hold its annual event to honor the Month of the Young Child and the work of early childhood educators – Celebrating Together – on Thursday, April 30 at Rivers Casino. The event will include a VIP Reception and the 30th Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner. Those interested in attending can purchase tickets online.

NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child

To celebrate the Week of the Young Child, NAEYC has set themes for each day between April 11 and 17. The week’s themed days include Kick-Off Saturday, Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday. NAEYC has provided a number of suggested activities for providers during the Week of the Young Child. The full list is available on NAEYC’s website. Some of the activities include:

Kick-Off Saturday: Share a video, blog, or social media post about why you celebrate Week of the Young Child, host a virtual event to share your proclamation, and create a plan for the week (for example, a playlist for Music Monday or restocking art supplies for Artsy Thursday).
Music Monday: Join the chorus for change by working with state affiliates to secure proclamations honoring early childhood educators.
Tasty Tuesday: Engage families by exploring culturally meaningful foods, sharing stories or recipes, and creating a community recipe book illustrated by children.
Work Together Wednesday: Help promote teamwork among children to develop their social and early literacy skills, or connect with elected officials.
Artsy Thursday: Find ways to display your classroom’s art projects for the community to see – for example, set up a gallery at a local business or public library.
Family Friday: Connect families with NAEYC, your local affiliate, and advocacy opportunities. Share resources that help families support learning and engage with policymakers.

Two great resources to celebrate the Week of the Young Child are NAEYC’s page, which lists a number of activities and provides information on the week’s history, and Discovery Building Sets’ 80 Ways to Celebrate NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child.

The Homewood Early Learning Hub and Family Center’s Week of the Young Child

The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center, located at 7219 Kelly Street, has scheduled events each day of the Week of the Young Child that mostly correspond with NAEYC’s themes.

For Musical Monday, families are invited to an open house that features musical activities courtesy of Playnotes Pittsburgh, food, refreshments, and other activities. On Tasty Tuesday, visitors can listen to a dinosaur-themed Storytime at the Hub event that includes food, while the Hub will team up with the Holy Cross Homewood & Reading is Fundamental Storymobile for a joint storytime and activity on Work Together Wednesday.

Then, on Family Collage Thursday, the Hub staff will help visitors to create a special collage featuring artistic creations and family photos. Visitors should bring printed photos of their families for the activity. The finished collage will be displayed in the center.

Finally, on Family Fun Night Friday, visitors will be able to take part in an evening full of activities, food, and line dancing featuring special guest Attack Theatre. More information about the Hub’s Week of the Young Child events is available online.

Indiana County’s Week of the Young Child

The Week of the Young Child will kick off in Indiana County at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 11 with a proclamation at the Indiana County Courthouse. This will be followed by a walk to the Indiana Free Library.

Children’s activities at the library will include storytime at 10:30 a.m., crafts in the library’s Community Room from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and a STEAM Play Day from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information on the event, check out this flyer from the Children’s Advisory Commission of Indiana County.