Virtual UnConference: Re-Opening to Our ‘New Normal’ Join Trying Together on May 26 for our first virtual UnConference as we dive into topics that are relevant to child care centers as they begin to re-open to a ‘new normal’ due to the effects of COVID-19. A recording of this event will be available for those who are unable to attend. UnConference Details We are facing a “new normal” in our field that has never been envisioned before. COVID-19 has taken our state, our country, and our world on a tumultuous journey, invoking fear, anxiety, reflection, and change-making at unprecedented levels. As an early childhood educator, you are most likely thinking about how to continue supporting children and families while maintaining high-quality programming, business operations, and personal health for both you and your colleagues. This free three-hour online UnConference will help you virtually connect with other educators while gaining information about the steps you can take to prepare for and respond to the effects of COVID-19 on early childhood programming. Three PQAS and Act 48 hours available. About UnConference: Re-Opening to Our ‘New Normal’ will be hosted via Zoom. It begins with a “rapid-fire” keynote by four speakers, featuring Michelle Figlar of The Heinz Endowments, LaTrenda Leonard Sherrill of LaTrenda Consulting (and Board Member of Trying Together), Muffy Mendoza of Brown Mamas, and mental health expert Diana Schwab. The keynote is followed by two workshops. Participants can choose from the following: Coping with COVID – HR Thoughts and Tips for Child Care Centers, Building Community and Connection with Digital Technologies, How to Stay Healthy and Provide Safe Child Care During COVID-19, and Everyday Interactions Matter: Noticing the Simple and Ordinary Course Objectives Through successful participation and completion of the UnConference, participants will: become familiar with regional, state, and national resources to support child care programs in response to COVID-19; gain appropriate strategies recommended for caring for young children and families in response to COVID-19, including health and safety practices and innovative ECE practices (social-emotional learning); discuss appropriate strategies for supporting the early education workforce in response to COVID-19; and learn how to create authentic connections with families and community members using digital tools. Schedule Each session will have its own Zoom link which will be provided to you upon registration. Upon completion of the UnConference, three hours of accredited professional development will be given. 1:00 – 1:30 p.m.: “Rapid Fire” Keynote featuring Michelle Figlar, LaTrenda Leonard Sherrill, Muffy Mendoza, and Diana Schwab 1:45 – 3:00 p.m.: Workshop #1 (choose between two options) 3:15 – 4:30 p.m.: Workshop #2 (choose between two options) Available Workshops There are four workshops provided for this UnConference. Two options are available between 1:45 – 3:00 p.m. and two other options are available between 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. View the list of workshops for the Virtual UnConference: Re-Opening to Our ‘New Normal’. Registration This virtual UnConference is free. Participants must pre-register for the UnConference by 3 p.m. on Monday, May 25 in order to receive links to each session via email. Visit the event page to register and learn more. How to Virtually Attend The sessions will be hosted using the web-based video conferencing platform Zoom. Please download Zoom prior to the UnConference to your device of choice. We will send you a Zoom link for the keynote as well as a Zoom link for each workshop based on what you select. A recording of this event will be available for those who are unable to attend. How to Receive Credit Three PQAS and Act 48 hours will be available. Participants must attend the UnConference and complete the survey at the end of each session (keynote and two workshops) in order to receive credit. Once completed, Jasmine Davis, Professional Learning Program Manager at Trying Together, will process your credit. If you have questions specific to receiving credit for coursework, please email Jasmine at jasmine@tryingtogether.org. More Information For questions, please contact UnConference Director, Yu-Ling Cheng, at conference@tryingtogether.org.
May 13, 2020 Virtual Summer Conference for Out-of-School Time Join the Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) from May 26 through June 5, 2020 for their Virtual Summer Conference for Out-of-School Time! About The Virtual Summer Conference for Out-of-School Time will offer relevant workshops to help professionals continue to provide quality programming for youth during this troubling time. This conference is open to any youth practitioners who desire to increase their skills in working with youth in out-of-school time programs or in mentoring relationships. Available Workshops The Virtual Conference will include the following workshops: Afterschool Programming and Communication Pivot during COVID-19 Tuesday, 5/26, 10 – 11 a.m. Presenter: Adeshewa Metzger, Assemble The Power of Parent Engagement: Parents as Partners Tuesday, 5/26, 3 – 4:30 p.m. Presenter: Shannon Prentiss, The Neighborhood Academy Building Resiliency: From Brain Development to Practicing Self-Care in a Virtual World Wednesday, 5/27, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Presenters: Courtney Smalt, Ling Deng, and Autumn Detchon, Adagio Health Fostering Healthy Transitions Wednesday, 5/27, 3 – 4 p.m. Presenter: Sophia Duck, The Mentoring Partnership Engaging Kids Outside Friday, 5/29, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Presenters: Lo Zemanek and Kelly Sarkis, Venture Outdoors Yes, And’ing Youth Voice During COVID-19 Friday, 5/29, 1 – 2 p.m. Presenter: Lori Crawford, Improviding The Culturally Inclusive Check-In Monday, 6/1, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Presenters: Adeshea Metzger and Ja’Sonta Roberts, Assemble Staff Wellness and Role Modeling Wednesday, 6/3, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Presenters: Shrenik Gadagkar and Jenny Park, UPMC Children’s Hospital Techniques to Address Helper’s Trauma in OST Providers Friday, 6/5, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Presenter: Debralyn Woodberry-Shaw, ELIE Circle To register and learn more, utilize the links above or view the full conference agenda. More Information For questions or more information, please contact Jaron Paul at jaron.paul@unitedwayswpa.org.
May 12, 2020 Connections and Conversations: Virtual Check-Ins 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. After registering, participants will receive a Zoom Meeting link via email from the session instructor. Each session will offer one hour of PQAS credit. Act 48 credit will not be offered for these sessions. Available Sessions Trauma and the Effects on Brain Development Wednesday, 6/17 | 3 – 4 p.m. | Instructor: Alison Babusci | Click here to register. The COVID-19 crisis has brought many new stressors into our lives. Participants will join Professional Growth and Advancement Strategist Alison Babusci to review how stress affects healthy brain development in children, learn about the brain’s response to stress, and talk about how early learning professionals can help our young children to cope. 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 Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.
Connections and Conversations: Virtual Check-Ins 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. After registering, participants will receive a Zoom Meeting link via email from the session instructor. Each session will offer one hour of PQAS credit. Act 48 credit will not be offered for these sessions. Available Sessions Creating Meaningful Virtual Learning Experiences for Children and Families Wednesday, 6/3 | 3 – 4 p.m. | Instructor: Katie Gullone | Click here to register. Early education practitioners are developing digital learning experiences with children and families in creative, innovative, and unique ways more than ever before. Join Message from Me Program Director Katie Gullone for a conversation on supporting relationships with children and their loved ones meaningfully through the use of technology and media. Trauma and the Effects on Brain Development Wednesday, 6/17 | 3 – 4 p.m. | Instructor: Alison Babusci | Click here to register. The COVID-19 crisis has brought many new stressors into our lives. Participants will join Professional Growth and Advancement Strategist Alison Babusci to review how stress affects healthy brain development in children, learn about the brain’s response to stress, and talk about how early learning professionals can help our young children to cope. 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 Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.
May 7, 2020 Preparation for Reopening SAC During COVID-19 Certified School Age Care (SAC) providers are invited to join the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) on May 7 for an online conversation with OCDEL Deputy Secretary, Tracy Campanini, to hear important information about preparing for reopening during COVID-19. Registration To join the conversation, visit this Zoom link and insert the password: 022124. Individuals can also join via phone by calling 312.626.6799 and inserting the Meeting ID: 957 4116 2918. Pre-registration is not required. Share this flyer with your network.
May 6, 2020 Navigating Transitions For Preschool Families During COVID-19 We would like to invite you to join us for a live informational webinar from the Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports. This live web series is about what families can expect during the closure of face-to-face Early Intervention Services. These sessions will assist in navigating transitions during COVID-19 for preschool families. The live informational webinars will be recorded and posted on the EITA (Early Intervention Technical Assistance Portal) Portal for those who are unable to join live. Registration There is no need to register for this event because this is a public webinar to help families maneuver through this difficult time. To attend, you can very simply join from PC, Mac, iOS, or Android on May 14 at 2 p.m. Attendees can also join us by phone if they choose. When dialing in, callers can access the webinar by entering 855.880.1246 on your keypad and using the following Meeting ID: 934 2568 0965. More For Preschool Families During COVID-19 For more information on this live webinar series or on Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA), contact Sarah Holland at saholland@pa.gov. To find resources that support early intervention (EI) work during COVID-19, click here. Share this flyer with your network.
Navigating Transitions During COVID-19 for Infant/Toddler Families We would like to invite you to join us for a live informational webinar from the Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports. This live web series is about what families can expect during the closure of face-to-face Early Intervention Services. These sessions will assist in navigating transitions during COVID-19 for infant/toddler families. The live informational webinars will be recorded and posted on the EITA (Early Intervention Technical Assistance Portal) Portal for those who are unable to join live. Registration There is no need to register for this event because this is a public webinar to help families maneuver through this difficult time. To attend, you can very simply join from PC, Mac, iOS, or Android on May 13 at 2 p.m. Attendees can also join us by phone if they choose. Attendees can also join us by phone if they choose. When dialing in, callers can access the webinar by entering 855.880.1246 on your keypad and using the following Meeting ID: 988 8060 8928 More For Infant/Toddler Families During COVID-19 For more information on this live webinar series or on Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA), contact Sarah Holland at saholland@pa.gov. To find resources that support early intervention (EI) work during COVID-19, click here. Share this flyer with your network.
April 16, 2020 COVID-19 Support Programs Webinar Join MomsRising, along with experts from CLASP, National Employment Law Project (NELP), Food Research and Action Council (FRAC), and National Immigration Law Council, on April 21 for “COVID-19 Support Programs Webinar” to learn what you need to know to apply for assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. About This online webinar will provide information on how to access the new COVID-19 programs recently passed by Congress, including paid sick days, paid family leave, unemployment insurance, and nutrition assistance. Presenters will also discuss the impacts of these programs on immigrant families. The webinar will take place on Zoom and will include both Spanish and English language options. Registration To register, please visit the event webpage. If you are unable to attend the day of the event, a recording of the webinar and a resource page will be sent out as well after the conclusion of the event.
April 8, 2020 Cleaning and Disinfection in Child Care Centers & Homes Join presenter Heidi Stiz from Johnson County, KS Child Care Licensing on Wednesday, April 8 for the online event, “Cleaning and Disinfection in Child Care Centers & Homes.” Event Details Wednesday, April 8, 2020 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. (EST) Zoom Meetings (Online) Attend the Event To attend, visit the Zoom Meeting page at 7:30 p.m. Meeting ID: 968 067 312
