July 12, 2023 DHS Requests Feedback on Corrective Action Process Resources The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is requesting feedback from child care providers on recently developed corrective action process (CAP) resources through a new survey. About Corrective Action Process Resources & CAP Resources Survey In recognizing the importance of corrective action processes in human services licensing, DHS released its, “Developing a Plan of Correction,” webinar in 2019. That same year, they released a corresponding, “Plan of Correction Quick Reference Guide,” (available as a PowerPoint presentation and PDF). The webinar aimed to assist providers with the successful development and implementation of acceptable plans of correction. The guide, consequently, was issued as a tool to assist providers with this process. Now the department seeks to understand the efficacy of these tools. Survey results will provide needed insight and help determine additionally needed resources. Access and Take the Survey Utilize the following link to access and take the survey: Corrective Action Process Resources Survey The survey closes Wednesday, July 26. DHS must receive all responses on or before that date. Learn More To learn more, visit the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) webpage. Source Trying Together took the information in this post directly from the Department of Human Services announcement. Some text may have been added, paraphrased, or adapted for readability and comprehension. Related Content & Resources PA DHS Accepting Applications for Children’s Trust Fund Grants State Budget Fails to Significantly Invest in Early Care and Education Amid Historic Labor Shortage New Nationwide Report Ranks Pennsylvania 22nd in Child Well-Being ELRC Region 5 Requesting Feedback from Families on Evening Phone Hours OCDEL Releases 2022 Market Rate Survey Report OCDEL Extends Deadline to Order Two Free Carbon Monoxide Detectors
June 14, 2023 How Family Engagement Supports Kindergarten Readiness & Early School Success Family engagement is a critical driver in ensuring that all children enter kindergarten “ready to learn” and experience early school success. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kindergarten readiness can impact how successful a child is in high school and beyond, leading to better grades and lower dropout rates, as well as better health and lifestyle habits. Children who enter school with key readiness skills have an 82 percent chance of mastering basic skills by age 11, compared with 45 percent for young children who are not “kindergarten ready.” Yet, many children nationwide are still unable to reach this pivotal benchmark. Join the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) at this webinar to hear from education leaders and practitioners who will share the latest research and on-the-ground lessons for how family engagement has improved kindergarten readiness and early school success in their states, districts, and communities. Moderated by Yolie Flores, President and CEO of Families In Schools, this panel conversation will explore: Why engaging families early matters for children’s long-term success How innovative technologies can be leveraged to support families The role that curriculum, professional development, and supplemental resources play in family engagement Session Details Tuesday, June 27 | 1 – 2:30 p.m. Virtual Register Learn More This webinar is the fifth in a series of conversations designed to boost family engagement practices between school and home. The six-month series, produced by the U.S. Department of Education in partnership with Carnegie Corporation of New York and Overdeck Family Foundation, will explore bright spots in the field and provide education leaders and practitioners with resources and evidence-based strategies to support student success. Featured panelists include: David Cintron, Superintendent, District 14, NYC Department of Education, New York, NY Rebecca Crouse Kelley, J.D., Executive Vice President of Advocacy, Waterford.org Shawn Foster, Ed.D., Superintendent, Orangeburg County School District, Orangeburg, SC Kai-ama Hamer, Director, ParentCorps Priscilla Hopkins, Executive Director, Denver Public Schools, Denver, CO Deborah Leong, Ph.D., Co-founder and President, Tools of the Mind To learn more, visit the event page on Eventbrite.
March 27, 2023 Intersection of Kinship Care and Culture: African & Caribbean Communities in America Kinship care is a survival strategy that has historical significance for African and Caribbean families because it is linked to a tradition of help and a broad base of support. Join the Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network for this webinar on kinship care to learn more about family structures and how understanding them can improve family engagement. Session Details Thursday, April 12 | 2 – 3:30 p.m. Virtual Register Learn More In this webinar, panelists will highlight the strengths, support needs, and service models for working with kinship families in African and Caribbean communities. Information presented will include: demographic profiles of these two groups definition of what “kinship care” means to these populations description of traditional family patterns of these populations that include cultural dynamics and norms conflicts between Afrocentric and Eurocentric perspectives on kinship care identification of the best access points (locations and persons) for engagement and services that are culturally responsive to these kinship families suggestions for reframing policy and practice for kinship services for these populations To learn more, visit the Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network website.
March 10, 2023 Natural Playscape Makeover! Practical Design Tips for Supporting Child-Directed Play In Natural Spaces on Any Budget Join Early Childhood Investigations Webinars and Rusty Keeler, natural playscape designer and author, for a fun, interactive, and inspiring webinar focused on helping to inspire attendees to dream and plan their own natural playscape makeovers “in any yard, on any budget”. Attendees will learn how to add natural elements to support play and, learning, how to assess local resources for free and inexpensive materials, how to tap into the expertise and generosity of your communities, and how to plan a volunteer build day to bring your natural play space dreams to reality. Rusty Keeler will offer advice to participants on how to improve their yards. If you are interested in being chosen, send pictures of your outdoor space to earthplayllc@gmail.com. Session Details Thursday, April 20 | 2 – 3:30 p.m. Virtual Register Learn More Can’t participate in our webinars at the appointed time? Never fear! All of the webinars are recorded. To view the recording, simply register now and you will receive an email with a link to the recording when it is ready to be viewed. You can still download the certificate by watching the recording to the end when the certificate link is announced and displayed on the screen. You can earn .2 CEUs for this webinar. The cost is $15 paid to University of Oklahoma online when you apply. To learn more, visit the Early Childhood Investigations website.
The Healing Power of Play and Optimism Optimism is both powerful and fragile. How can you harness the power of optimism to create safe, loving, joyful, and engaging environments where kids can heal, grow and thrive? Join Early Childhood Investigations Webinars and The Life is Good Playmaker Project for this webinar to learn about this approach. Attendees will discover the power of optimism and play, learn the right approach to creating correct, optimal environments for kids to heal, learn, grow and thrive, and understand the importance of developing a personal wellness practice to be able to bring your most optimistic human disposition into your work. Session Details Thursday, March 23 | 2 – 3:30 p.m. Virtual Register Learn More Can’t participate in our webinars at the appointed time? Never fear! All of the webinars are recorded. To view the recording, simply register now and you will receive an email with a link to the recording when it is ready to be viewed. You can still download the certificate by watching the recording to the end when the certificate link is announced and displayed on the screen. You can earn .2 CEUs for this webinar. The cost is $15 paid to University of Oklahoma online when you apply. To learn more, visit the Early Childhood Investigations website.
Prioritizing and Strengthening Early Childhood Systems Join the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) for this webinar featuring Dr. Leah Austin, the Chief Executive Officer at NBCDI, and January Contreras, the Assistant Secretary at ACF. In this webinar, speakers will address critical issues impacting Black children and families, highlight strategies to resolve them, and share the role their organizations play in that resolution. Session Details Thursday, March 30 | 12 – 1 p.m. Virtual Register Learn More This webinar is part of NBCDI’s Virtual Learning Series. The Virtual Learning Series is an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about early childhood education, child welfare, health and wellness, and other issues impacting Black children and families. To learn more, visit the National Black Child Development Institute website.
Parenting While Black – Episode 2: Birthing While Black – Pregnancy, Birth, and the First 1,000 Days Join the Brazelton Touchpoints Center for this webinar exploring protective pathways for embracing pregnancy, birth, postpartum experience, and fostering health, respect, care, joy, healing, and radical resistance. Session Details Monday, April 17 | 3 – 4:30 p.m. Virtual Register Learn More This webinar is part of the Brazelton Touchpoints Center’s Parenting While Black series, “Radically Resistant: Fostering the Brilliance and Awe of Raising Black Children.” This free virtual series offers a safe and welcoming space to hold conversations for and by Black families. Each webinar includes live Spanish language translation and closed captioning. Future episodes are scheduled as follows: Episode 3: Monday, May 15, 3 – 4:30 p.m. Episode 4: Monday, June 12, 3 – 4:30 p.m. Episode 5: Monday, June 26, 3 – 4:30 p.m. To learn more about Episode 1 or the Parenting While Black series, visit the Brazelton Touchpoints Center website.
March 2, 2023 Front Porch: Brilliant Bilingual Preschoolers Do you ever wonder how young children can learn, not only one, but two or more languages? Join the Office of Head Start and its National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning for this webinar, and learn about the human capacity to learn multiple languages in early childhood. Attendees will discover the cultural and cognitive benefits of bilingualism and explore strategies and resources that can help support children who are dual language learners during the preschool years. This webinar will have English and Spanish captioning. Session Details Thursday, March 16 | 3 – 4 p.m. Virtual Register Learn More This webinar will feature Marley Jarvis, Ph.D. from the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning, who will explore research findings on early language learning. To learn more about this webinar, visit the Office of Head Start website.
Bridging the Gaps in Early Childhood Education HiMama recently surveyed over 1,500 child care professionals, asking about issues facing the child care industry. The results, compiled in their 7th Annual Childcare Industry Snapshot, paint a picture of child care providers who are optimistic, despite facing significant challenges in 2023. In this webinar, panelists will dive deeper into the survey data and share their own child care experiences and insights, before answering your questions. Session Details Thursday, March 9 | 2 -3 p.m. Virtual Register Learn More In this special webinar, HiMama will welcome Tirusha Dave, owner of Ellie’s Academy, Bernadette Testani, owner of Atelier Childcare, and HiMama’s own Jo Sinanan. To learn more, visit the HiMama website.
February 23, 2023 Art in the Trauma Informed ECE Classroom: Process over Product Art is a creative process of self-discovery that grows the brain and engages the mind and body with sensory materials. This active engagement strengthens the mind in early childhood and serves to both calm the nervous system and release emotions. These calming and releasing functions have important implications for trauma-informed classrooms. Join Early Childhood Investigations Webinars and the ChildCare Education Institute for this webinar, presented by Anna Reyner, MA, LMFT, founder of CreativePlayLA. Attendees will learn how to use art for self-expression and building community. Process art offers children a sense of freedom…the freedom of choice, thought and feeling. Session Details Wednesday, March 22 | 2 – 3:30 p.m. Virtual Register Learn More This webinar will share key practices that are necessary to reduce the use of cookie cutter crafts in favor of true art that reflects children’s authentic thoughts and feelings. Join this webinar to: Learn how current neuroscience supports art as self-regulation and stress release in trauma informed classrooms Discuss why teachers still deliver product over process art and how to change that mindset Receive tips and resources on how to motivate staff to deliver social emotional process art over product art Engage in a process-oriented art activity that will relax and replenish your creative energy. You can earn .2 CEUs for this webinar. The cost is $15 paid to University of Oklahoma online when you apply. To learn more about credits or this webinar, visit the Early Investigations Webinars website.
