November 20, 2020 Tuition-Free Courses Available for ECE Professionals Are you an early learning professional who is interested in earning an Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, or Child Development Certificate? No- and low-cost options are available for eligible professionals in Pennsylvania through the Professional Development Organization (PDO). Professional Development Organization The Professional Development Organization (PDO) is a grant-funded educational collaboration among four universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and numerous partner universities, colleges, and community programs across the state to advance the career pathways of the early childhood workforce. PDO funding covers tuition, expenses, and other supports to help eligible early childhood educators earn credit-bearing credentials and degrees. Tuition-Free Courses Tuition-free courses are eligible for early childhood professionals who: are Pennsylvania residents, work in a Keystone STARS program, and work a minimum average of 25 hours per week over an entire work year (during non-COVID times). To determine your eligibility, complete the online application. Once your eligibility is confirmed, a PDO Liaison from your region will contact you to discuss your professional development options. Available Pathways The following pathways are available to advance your academic and professional development: Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA) Associate’s Degree, Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree, Early Childhood Education Steps To Take If you are interested in taking advantage of this limited-time opportunity, complete these three steps: Apply for Tuition Assistance Complete the application. Once submitted, an ECE Liaison will contact you to confirm your eligibility for tuition assistance, guide you through the application at a PDO partner university, college, or program, and help you register for classes. Be sure to check your spam folder as it may contain an email from your ECE Liaison. Apply to a Partner School or Program Before you apply to a school, be sure to speak with an ECE Liaison who can help you navigate any fees that may be waived. Among the supports available to students is a free 24/7 tutoring service. View the full list of partner schools and programs. Register for Classes Class offerings at all schools and programs may change each semester. Check with an ECE Liaison or the school for details. View this document for examples of available classes. More Information For more information, contact Mimi Loughead at mimi@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
September 11, 2020 Keystone Scholars Helps Families Save for Higher Education In 2019, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department started investing $100 for every baby born or adopted in Pennsylvania to be used for the baby’s future higher education expenses through a new program called Keystone Scholars. About the Program To encourage families to plan early for their child’s future education, Keystone Scholars will provide $100 to all babies born or adopted in Pennsylvania on or after January 1, 2019. With Pennsylvanians currently having the highest debt load per person of any state in the nation, Keystone Scholars is meant to help families jumpstart their education savings as soon as possible. Studies show that a child with education savings is three times more likely to enroll in a two- or four-year college and is four times more likely to graduate. The $100 will be invested by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department and will grow through the years right alongside your child. The Keystone Scholars account can be used for qualified expenses when your child pursues education after high school. These expenses include tuition, fees, books, and more at vocational and technical schools, community colleges, two-year colleges, and four-year colleges. Eligibility All children born to or adopted by a Pennsylvania family on or after January 1, 2019. Requirements The child must be a Pennsylvania resident at birth and at the same time that Keystone Scholars funds are used. For babies born in or after 2019, families must create a PA 529 College and Career Savings Program Account in their child’s name before using funds from their Keystone Scholar account. Funds not used by the beneficiary’s 29th birthday will be returned to Pennsylvania’s Treasury Department. Registration To register, visit the Keystone Scholars website. New and expecting parents will be able to register for online access within 3-4 months after the child’s birth using information from your child’s PA state birth certificate. Learn More To learn more about the program, visit the Keystone Scholars website or call 800.440.4000. The following recorded webinars are available as well to answer frequently asked questions. Share this informational PDF with your network.
May 27, 2020 Saving for Your Child’s College Tuition Saving for college isn’t impossible. All you need is a plan. The Pennsylvania 529 College and Career Savings Program two plans and many investment options that have helped over 205,000 families of all income levels answer one of their biggest financial concerns: how to afford college. Join the Pennsylvania 529 College and Career Savings Program for their webinar to learn more. About During the webinar, participants will learn about the following topics: how you can save for college and save on your Pennsylvania income taxes; how you can avoid paying any federal or state income taxes on your college savings growth; how you can save for college with little impact on your chances for financial aid; how you can save for a semester of college today and cover a semester in the future no matter when or how much tuition has increased; and how saving can be made easy. Registration Webinar sessions are available on the dates listed below. Please use the links to navigate to the event’s registration pages. Friday, May 29, 2020 | 10 – 11 a.m. | GoToWebinar Tuesday, June 16, 2020 | 12 – 1:30 p.m. | GoToWebinar More Information For more information, please contact the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program at 800.440.4000 or PA529@patreasury.gov.
January 9, 2020 Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Maximum Benefit Increased For Fiscal Year 2019-20, the maximum benefit for the Rising STARS Tuition Assistance (RSTA) program has increased to $8,000 per individual. About Administered by The Pennsylvania Key, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)’s RSTA program helps cover a portion of tuition costs for Pennsylvania’s early childhood educators. Tuition costs net of other funding sources such as scholarships, stipends, discounts, or grants (except the Pell Grant) are used to determine the amount of assistance, with the Fiscal Year 2019-20 maximum benefit listed as $8,000. It is recommended completed applications be submitted at least four weeks prior to the start of the course, or prior to the tuition due date, whichever is first. More Information on Rising STARS Tuition Assistance For eligibility requirements, the application process, and more, visit the Pennsylvania Key website. *Information provided by PA Early Ed News For more information for professionals, visit Trying Together’s professional development page.
December 20, 2019 CDA Renewal Amnesty Program Begins January 1, 2020 For a limited time, early childhood professionals whose Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential lapsed or expired can take advantage of a CDA Renewal Amnesty program. About Running from January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020, the CDA Renewal Amnesty program provides early childhood education professionals who completed their CDA but did not submit a renewal in time to keep the CDA current an opportunity to reinstate their credential. The renewal program is eligible for Rising Stars Tuition Assistance (RSTA). Professionals interested in applying for assistance must complete their profile in the PD Registry to access the Financial Assistance tab. For more information about RSTA, visit the PA Key website. Eligibility Requirements To qualify, professionals must meet the following eligibility requirements: CDA expiration date is no earlier than January 1, 2010 Applicant meets all current renewal requirements Professional applies online using the YourCouncil CDA council portal system All applications and payments ($125) must be submitted online by March 31, 2020. PDOs and New CDA Cohorts Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is implementing statewide Professional Development Organizations (PDOs). PDOs will specialize in access to credit-bearing coursework and credentials for the early childhood education (ECE) workforce. Shippensburg University and Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) were selected as the PDOs in Pennsylvania. See a regional map. While PDOs begin their work, The Pennsylvania Key contracted with several organizations and institutes of higher education, including Trying Together and Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5, to offer community-based cohorts so that individuals attempting to obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential can complete the 120 hours of coursework and receive additional support. This opportunity is only available for 2019-20. Space in these cohorts is limited. For more information about Trying Together and ELRC Region 5’s CDA program, contact Jan Sapotichne at jan.elrc5@alleghenycounty.us or 412.350.3604. Learn More To learn more about the CDA Renewal Amnesty program, visit the Council for Professional Recognition website. *Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key
July 29, 2019 New Services Available on Pennsylvania’s PD Registry In July, Pennsylvania’s PD Registry received new enhancements that will help support early childhood professionals. New Services Available Through the PD Registry website, early childhood professionals can now apply for or access: Rising STARS Tuition Assistance CDA Voucher Director Credential Early Childhood Education Career Pathway Early Childhood Career Pathway The Early Childhood Education Career Pathway is a tool to support the ECE profession in entering the field prepared for success while growing the existing professional’s capacity to advance in their intended field. This tool is now available on PD Registry. To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key website. Note The Career Lattice will still be used for Keystone STARS designation and Education and Retention Awards (ERA) until further notice. Additionally, early childhood educators that currently meet the expectation of particular career lattice level will be honored at that level by being grandfathered into the Career Pathway level that is equivalent if verified within the determined timeline. Many individuals have already uploaded transcripts before the new enhancements went live on July 1. You will still need to complete your profile to be placed on the career pathway. If transcripts were already uploaded, this step will not be needed again. To view tip sheets on completing the profile and uploading transcripts, please view them at the PA Keys website. More Information For more information on these enhancements, watch the recorded webinar, visit the FAQ document, and view tipsheets and more on the PD Registry. Questions? Call 1.800.284.6031 or email registry@pakeys.org. *Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key
July 25, 2019 Changes Made to Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Program For Fiscal Year 2019-20, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s Rising STARS Tuition Assistance (RSTA) program has undergone several important changes. Administered by The Pennsylvania Key, RSTA helps cover a portion of tuition costs for early childhood professionals. Fiscal Year 2019-20 Changes The following changes have been implemented for FY 2019-20: “Grandfathered” applicants seeking an AA, BA, or PreK-4 Teacher Certification will continue to receive 95% of tuition costs with a maximum benefit of $6,000 per individual. These applicants will need to transition to T.E.A.C.H. or another financial aid resource by Fiscal Year 2020-2021. For new applicants for approved CDA or Credential Coursework, individuals will receive 95% of tuition costs and fees net of other funding sources for approved credential or CDA coursework up to eighteen (18) credits. Additionally, new applicants for approved CDA or Credential Coursework can submit a request form (including receipt) for reimbursement for books after purchase. More Information To learn more about the RSTA program, visit the Pennsylvania Key website. For questions, call 1.800.284.6031 or email pakeyvoucherprogram@pakeys.org. *Information provided by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning
May 29, 2019 Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Sign Up Moving to PD Registry Beginning Fall 2019, applicants will apply for the Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Program through the PD Registry. About the Program The Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Program pays 95% of tuition costs for eligible college coursework taken by early learning professionals, with a maximum benefit of $6,000 per individual each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). The program covers tuition costs only and does not include books, materials, or fees. Tuition costs net of other funding sources such as scholarships, stipends, discounts, or grants (except the Pell Grant) are used to determine the amount of assistance. It is recommended completed applications be submitted at least four weeks prior to the start of the course, or prior to the tuition due date, whichever is first. Access the Program Before Fall 2019 During the transition, The Pennsylvania Key is still currently accepting applications for the 2018-19 fiscal year and summer classes. Early learning professionals taking coursework beginning before fall semester are welcome to apply using the current process in the Portal. At this time, applications will not be reviewed for the fall semester. More Information For new eligibility requirements and to stay up-to-date on the ongoing changes, visit the Pennsylvania Key website. *Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key
December 12, 2018 Child Development Associate Courses Available In partnership with the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh, Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC) is offering a series of courses that fulfill the educational training requirements for the infant-toddler, preschool, or renewal Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials. Additionally, a series of professional development courses are available that can be taken individually for required DHS training hours or as a full 3-hour college credit course. Available Courses Child Development Associate Based on the CDA pursued, students may choose from the following courses, which will be offered at the Youngwood campus and by Web Conferencing (video conference) to all WCCC education centers: Child Health, Safety & Nutrition – ECE 190-CDA May 13 – July 29, 2019, Web Conference Observation & Assessment – ECE 191-CDA January 15 —April 30, 2019 Choose one: Infant & Toddler Development – ECE 179-CDA April 15—July 29, 2019 Child Growth & Development – ECE 180-CDA April 4—July 25, 2019 For more information, see this flyer. Early Childhood Professional Development Child Health, Safety & Nutrition – ECE 190-KU January 16 – May 1, 2019, Westmoreland-New Kensington For a listing of all available courses, see this flyer. Certification and Costs Each course is three college credits and can be applied towards an Associate degree at Westmoreland County Community College. The initial certifications require three courses, while renewal requires one course. The additional work experience, portfolio, and professional requirements required by the CDA Council must be completed independently by the candidates. Tuition is $210 per course (or $14 per class) and $100 for the textbook. Rising STARS Tuition Assistance and the TEACH Scholarship are both accepted. Registration To register, call 1.800.262.2103, ext. 4204. Questions Questions should be directed to: Dr. Brandi Weekley at 724.925.6715 or weekleyb@westmoreland.edu. Vicki Hricik at 724.925.4013 or hricikv@westmoreland.edu.
