CDA Credential Course: Registration Deadline

News

August 17, 2020

CDA Credential Course: Registration Deadline

Important Note: This course is full. If you are an early learning professional in the North Side of Pittsburgh, please register for our other CDA course that will run from September 14, 2020 – May 31, 2021.

About

Are you an early educator who is working with young children? Are you looking to take the first step in advancing your career? Join your peers and Trying Together for this nine-month online CDA course where you will:

  • focus on Competency Standards and Best Practices that support healthy early development in young children;
  • complete online coursework;
  • receive support from an experienced instructor; and
  • receive a nationally recognized credential upon completion.

Session Details

  • Course Timeline: September 8, 2020 – May 31, 2021
  • Delivery: Online (Schoology and Zoom)
  • Course Instructor: Theresa Hetler
  • CDA Orientation Date: August 31, 2020
  • Registration closes on August 31, 2020. Space is limited.

Registration

This course is currently full. To stay up-to-date on available courses, sign up to receive the Trying Together newsletter and/or follow Trying Together on Facebook and Twitter.

Please note that this listing is not a one-day, in-person event. This online course runs from September 8, 2020 to May 31, 2020. More information will be provided after registration.

More Information

For questions or more information, please contact Theresa Hetler at theresa@tryingtogether.org.

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Free Virtual PD Sessions Available

News

August 11, 2020

Free Virtual PD Sessions Available

Are you interested in hearing guidance from child development experts? Join Trying Together on August 19 and September 2 for our free virtual professional development sessions! Each session will offer one PQAS credit hour.

Both sessions are a part of our interactive Connections and Conversations Virtual Check-In series that features guidance from child development experts, information on the highlighted topic, and opportunities for early learning professionals to share questions, experiences, and expertise.

Available Sessions

    • Magda Gerber’s Philosophy of Care for Infants & Toddlers
      Wednesday, August 19, 2020  |  6 – 7 p.m.

      Join Trying Together on August 19 to explore the core principles of Magda Gerber’s RIE philosophical approach to educaring for infants and toddlers in the early childhood setting. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in conversations around developmentally appropriate practice for infants and toddlers while reflecting on how to best create a safe, challenging, predictable environment for all children.

    • Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellness with Digital Technologies
      Wednesday, September 2, 2020  |  6 – 7 p.m.

      More than ever before, early childhood practitioners play a critical role in supporting children’s social and emotional wellness. Join Trying Together on September 2 for a conversation on promoting children’s communication skills and emotional development through the use of technology and media. Participants will engage in discussion and reflection on their current practice and the impact of COVID-19.

More Information

For questions or more information, please contact Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org.

Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellness with Digital Technologies

News

August 4, 2020

Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellness with Digital Technologies

More than ever before, early childhood practitioners play a critical role in supporting children’s social and emotional wellness. When used intentionally, digital technologies can serve as tools to help children navigate emotions and express thoughts and feelings. Join Trying Together on September 2 for a conversation on promoting children’s communication skills and emotional development through the use of technology and media. Participants will engage in discussion and reflection on their current practice and the impact of COVID-19.

About

Connections and Conversations Virtual Check-Ins are interactive sessions that highlight topics of interest to the field of early childhood education. Participants will engage in virtual discussions via Zoom with child development experts while interacting with early learning practitioners to share questions, experiences, and expertise about the highlighted topic.

Participants will receive the course Zoom link via email within 24 hours before the start date for the course. For questions, contact Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org.

Session Details

    • Session Date: Wednesday, September 2  |  6 – 7 p.m.
    • Instructor: Katie Gullone
    • CKC: K1.4 C2
    • Registrations must be submitted by Monday, August 31. Space is limited.
    • Sessions will be offered biweekly and will offer one hour of PQAS credit. Act 48 credit will not be offered.

Learning Objectives

    • Identify strategies to address children’s social and emotional development through the use of technology and media.
    • Reflect on current practice and the role of technology tools in early childhood environments.

Registration

To register for this session, complete our online registration form.

Session Rules and Guidelines

These virtual discussions are designed to provide educators the opportunity to grow professionally and share knowledge on early childhood topics. During the meeting, participants should follow the guidelines below to ensure a successful virtual meeting for all participants.

    • Please allow all participants a chance to speak. Listen respectfully and actively.
    • Commit to learning about each other, not to debating the topic.
    • Embrace differences of opinion as healthy and support each person’s authentic self-expression.
    • Participants will be muted for the beginning portion of the session.
    • Participants may use the “Raise Hand” feature in Zoom to request an opportunity to comment or ask a question. Individuals will be temporarily unmuted by the moderator.
    • Participants may type a comment or question in the Chat or may send comments or questions directly to the moderator for them to share.
    • To receive PQAS credit, you must complete an evaluation at the end of the session and include your PD Registry number.
    • Have fun, make connections, and engage in the conversations!

More Information

For questions or more information, please contact Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org.

COVID-19 Supplies Distribution Event for Child Care Providers

News

July 16, 2020

COVID-19 Supplies Distribution Event for Child Care Providers

About

Trying Together, Global Links, and Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 are partnering to ensure that 650 licensed child care operators in Allegheny County are fully equipped with the protective and cleaning supplies they need to maintain a safe, clean, and healthy environment for children and employees.

All licensed child care providers in Allegheny County are eligible to receive cleaning supplies and safety equipment. Providers must have their tax identification (EIN) numbers read for staff at the distribution site.

What’s Included

Child care operators are invited to visit a distribution location to receive:

    • an infrared, no-touch thermometer;
    • gloves for diaper changes and cleaning;
    • hand sanitizer;
    • disinfectant;
    • reusable cloth masks;
    • reusable clear plastic face shield; and
    • one case of tissues.

Available Dates and Locations

See a map of each distribution location.

Registration

To ensure enough supplies are available, please register for the date and location of your choice via the PPE Supply Pickup Form. Each provider must sign up separately. Providers with multiple locations should sign up for each program, specifying the program name on each form.

More Information

The purchase and distribution of supplies are made possible through the generous support of local foundations. For more information, call 412.350.3577 or visit elrc5.alleghenycounty.us.

COVID-19 Supplies Distribution Event for Child Care Providers

News

COVID-19 Supplies Distribution Event for Child Care Providers

About

Trying Together, Global Links, and Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 are partnering to ensure that 650 licensed child care operators in Allegheny County are fully equipped with the protective and cleaning supplies they need to maintain a safe, clean, and healthy environment for children and employees.

All licensed child care providers in Allegheny County are eligible to receive cleaning supplies and safety equipment. Providers must have their tax identification (EIN) numbers read for staff at the distribution site.

What’s Included

Child care operators are invited to visit a distribution location to receive:

    • an infrared, no-touch thermometer;
    • gloves for diaper changes and cleaning;
    • hand sanitizer;
    • disinfectant;
    • reusable cloth masks;
    • reusable clear plastic face shield; and
    • one case of tissues.

Available Dates and Locations

See a map of each distribution location.

Registration

To ensure enough supplies are available, please register for the date and location of your choice via the PPE Supply Pickup Form. Each provider must sign up separately. Providers with multiple locations should sign up for each program, specifying the program name on each form.

More Information

The purchase and distribution of supplies are made possible through the generous support of local foundations. For more information, call 412.350.3577 or visit elrc5.alleghenycounty.us.

COVID-19 Supplies Distribution Event for Child Care Providers

News

COVID-19 Supplies Distribution Event for Child Care Providers

About

Trying Together, Global Links, and Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 are partnering to ensure that 650 licensed child care operators in Allegheny County are fully equipped with the protective and cleaning supplies they need to maintain a safe, clean, and healthy environment for children and employees.

All licensed child care providers in Allegheny County are eligible to receive cleaning supplies and safety equipment. Providers must have their tax identification (EIN) numbers read for staff at the distribution site.

What’s Included

Child care operators are invited to visit a distribution location to receive:

    • an infrared, no-touch thermometer;
    • gloves for diaper changes and cleaning;
    • hand sanitizer;
    • disinfectant;
    • reusable cloth masks;
    • reusable clear plastic face shield; and
    • one case of tissues.

Available Dates and Locations

See a map of each distribution location.

Registration

To ensure enough supplies are available, please register for the date and location of your choice via the PPE Supply Pickup Form. Each provider must sign up separately. Providers with multiple locations should sign up for each program, specifying the program name on each form.

More Information

The purchase and distribution of supplies are made possible through the generous support of local foundations. For more information, call 412.350.3577 or visit elrc5.alleghenycounty.us.

Join Providers Across PA to Tell Your Story

News

June 25, 2020

Join Providers Across PA to Tell Your Story

On Tuesday, June 30, child care providers across Pennsylvania are participating in a day-long, story sharing event on social media to increase attention on child care and its importance as a community resource and economic driver. 

About

Governor Tom Wolf and the General Assembly authorized the spending of stimulus funds to support early learning programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even once all those funds are distributed, they are not enough. 

With diminished enrollment, scarcity of staff, unpaid bills, and no clear picture of what tomorrow will bring, many child care providers still do not know if their business will survive. We need the federal government to allocate more funding to support child care programs so they can weather this crisis.

To gain these urgently needed funds, stories from child care providers, early educators, and families are essential. Stories can be shared on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 30. 

We want to be sure that as many people as possible–especially our elected officials–understand that the child care crisis is not over and without child care there is no recovery! Alert your network of friends, families, and staff to look out for your story and like, share, and/or retweet it. 

How to Share

  1. Prepare your story ahead of time so that you can easily post or tweet during the event. 
  2. You can use your answers to the questions on this Google form to help create your draft. 
  3. Pictures are encouraged to help others see the real people affected by this crisis!

Sharing on Twitter: 

  • Break your story down into a thread of 280 characters.  
  • Click the blue “Tweet” button in the upper right hand corner of your screen.
  • Type out the first tweet of your thread. 
  • Press the + button in the lower right hand corner of your Tweet composition window, and a new space will appear for you to add a second tweet.
  • In the final tweet of the thread, include #FundChildCare #SaveEarlyLearning and Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) and Senator Bob Casey (@SenCasey).

Sharing on Facebook:  

  • From the top of your News Feed, click What’s on your mind, [Name]?
  • Add a text update or click the type of post you would like to share (example: Photo/Video, Feeling/Activity).
  • Posts can be up to 63,206 characters so you have plenty of room, however, longer posts get cut off in a user’s feed, forcing them to expand the text if they want to read the full story. 
  • At the end of your post include #FundChildCare #SaveEarlyLearning and tag @SenatorBobCasey and @SenatorToomey

Sharing on Instagram:

  • Tap + at the bottom of the screen.
  • Take a photo or video or choose one from your phone’s library.
  • Tap Next. You can also add effects or filters.
  • Tap Next again, and then tap Write a caption
  • Enter your caption and tap OK > Share (iPhone) or Share (Android).
  • In your caption include #FundChildCare #SaveEarlyLearning and tag @senbobcasey and @senpattoomey

More Information

Questions? Please contact Cristina Codario at cristina@tryingtogether.org.  

In-Person Operations to Resume July 6

News

June 18, 2020

In-Person Operations to Resume July 6

Office Reopening

On July 6, Trying Together will reopen its physical office spaces to the public by appointment at the following location:

ELRC Region 5

Out of an abundance of caution with the rising COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County, ELRC Region 5 and its satellite offices will remain closed to the public for in-person services. Staff will continue to provide high-quality customer service via phone and video conferencing. Additional details about resuming in-person operations will be announced on Monday, August 3.

Operations During COVID-19

Staff will be required to follow guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including wearing a mask while walking through or working in communal spaces, socially distancing themselves from others by at least six feet at all times, sanitizing their workspaces regularly, and maintaining proper handwashing and sanitizing. Locations and departments may have limited in-office staff as some employees continue to telework.

Trying Together staff are still accessible via phone or email as they continue to work remotely. After July 6, appointments are required for families and professionals interested in accessing services and support at Trying Together’s physical locations. In-person operations will continue to be dependent on recommendations provided by Governor Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Trying Together will continue to monitor these recommendations as well as the reopening status of Allegheny County. For questions about our operations, please email info@tryingtogether.org.

More Information

For more information about COVID-19 and prevention tips, visit our COVID-19 page. For questions related to COVID-19, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website or call 1.877.PA.HEALTH (1.877.724.3258). See the ELRC Region 5 news post for essential updates for early educators and families in Allegheny County in response to COVID-19. 

Growing Together: Lunch & Learn Series

News

May 27, 2020

Growing Together: Lunch & Learn Series

Join the Women & Girls Foundation, Pathways PA, and MomsRising on Fridays at noon for a “lunch and learn” series to discuss how families are adapting, how communities can come together to support each other during this time, and what resources are available to help families thrive.

About

Every week presenters will discuss a hot topic for working people and families, including paid leave, eldercare, parenting young kids, and more. Stop by to connect to resources, ask questions, meet others, and share what you’re experiencing.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.

Promoting Infant and Toddler Social and Emotional Development

News

February 11, 2020

Promoting Infant and Toddler Social and Emotional Development

Are you interested in learning how to better support children’s social and emotional development? Join Trying Together for our online course, “Promoting Infant and Toddler Social and Emotional Development.”

About

This online session will explore the questions: “What is social and emotional learning within infants and toddlers, and why is it important?” Participants will be provided with positive social-emotional opportunities for infants and toddlers and develop skills necessary to build a solid foundation for very young children. Course instructors will discuss how to support very young children to form secure relationships with others to ultimately be able to focus and learn in their day to day experiences. Also, skills and techniques will be provided to engage with infants and toddlers to teach them to feel good about themselves while developing confidence and self-control.

Three hours of PQAS and/or Act 48 credits will be offered.

    • Core Knowledge Competencies (CKCs): K1.9 C2 and K2.2 C2
    • Keystone STARS Alignment: SQ. 3.4.4

Timeline

This online course will be available from March 9 through March 30, 2020. Please note that this event listing is not a day-of, in-person event. Once registered, course instructors will provide further information on accessing the course.

Registration

To register for this course, complete the form below.

 

More Information

For questions or more information, contact Jasmine Davis, Professional Learning Program Manager, at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

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