OCDEL
The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning supports families and their children from prenatal through school age by using data, research and stakeholder guidance to assure high quality services.
March 2017 Top News
Early Education in Pennsylvania

Message from Suzann Morris, Deputy Secretary

It's been an exciting month for early learning in Pennsylvania. Thank you to Governor Wolf for continuing his commitment to increase access to quality early learning by proposing early learning increases in his 2017-18 budget proposal. Check out his recent press conference with some of our children! 

The Commonwealth is also moving forward to make government work better for families and providers by releasing a request for comment on proposed Early Learning Resource Centers for 2018-19. The RFI indicates "The creation of these new ELRCs will maximize resources to serve families, providers, and the community and support enhanced efficiencies through the integration of the current work of the CCISs and the Regional Keys." We want to hear your thoughts!

I hope to reconnect or meet many of you at various meetings and presentations in the coming months! Thank you for all that you do for Pennsylvania's children and families.

BudgetGovernor releases proposed budget for 2017-18, including increases for early childhood education 

On February 7, Governor Wolf released his proposed budget for 2017-18. Watch his budget address and download budget documents from the Governor's website. 

The proposed budget would provide: 
  • $9 million increased investment to serve approximately 1,700 additional families in evidence-based home visiting; 
  • $10 million increased investment in Child Care Works to serve approximately 1,800 additional children from the Child Care Works waiting list; 
  • maintained investment in Keystone STARS to serve approximately 1,000 additional children; 
  • $65 million increased investment in Pre-K Counts to serve at least 7,400 additional children;
  • $10 million increased investment in Head Start Supplemental to serve at least 1,030 additional children; and
  • $11 million increased investment in Preschool Early Intervention to serve approximately 1,100 additional children. 
Download the Proposed 2017-18 Budget Chart or the OCDEL 2015-16 Results and 2017 Priorities Fact Sheet at the PA Keys website for more information.

Early Learning Resource Centers RFI 
Comments due: March 3, 2017 

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Service's Office of Administration, the Bureau of Financial Operations has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). The RFI solicits input regarding the proposed scope of work for the creation and management of regional Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs). ELRCs will combine the work of the Child Care Information Services and the Regional Keys to better support continued capacity building for children and families' ability to access affordable, high-quality child care and other early care and education opportunities for their children.  Stakeholders, families and current OCDEL business partners are encouraged to visit http://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us for more information regarding the RFI.  It is listed under "Solicitations - RFI PA Early Learning Resource Centers."

STARSKeystone STARS Re-visioning Update:  Proposed Supports for Keystone STARS programs 

As part of Keystone STARS Revisioning, OCDEL and stakeholders involved in the process want to make sure that limited resources are being used as effectively as possible to provide quality early learning opportunities especially to at-risk children. As a result, OCDEL is proposing the following adjustments to financial supports: 
  • Maintain funding for teacher higher education scholarships (T.E.A.C.H. and Rising STARS Tuition Assistance) and Education and Retention Awards; 
  • Maintain STAR 2 tiered reimbursement and merit awards; 
  • Increase tiered reimbursements for STAR 3 and 4 programs by 23 percent by shifting resources from merit awards. By shifting these resources to tiered reimbursement, providers will have more flexibility with no grant paperwork (saving time and money). With the 12-month redetermination of children receiving Child Care Works, providers will also experience more stability and less paperwork serving these children. Regional Keys can also direct more resources to supporting quality improvement; and the commonwealth can provide more equitable supports for at-risk children. 
The reimbursement gap to cover the cost of quality early learning widens at the higher STAR 3 and 4 levels. Restrictions on merit awards can make it challenging to offset those costs, especially retaining qualified staff. 

The current merit award structure has not resulted in a significant higher percentage of children receiving Child Care Works enrolling in Keystone STAR 3 and 4 facilities. In fact, there is such an inequitable distribution of resources for at-risk children that programs serving the minimum percentage of at-risk children receive more than ten times the amount per at-risk child than programs serving 90-100 percent enrolled children with IEPs or receiving Child Care Works subsidy.

March FAQ: When can I see the new indicators? 
  • OCDEL anticipates releasing the new indicators in May 2017. OCDEL understands that there will need to be time for providers, assessors, and other regional partners to become proficient in the new system. Therefore, providers may maintain their 2016-17 STAR level during 2017-18 as they learn the new system.
Visit the Keystone STARS Re-visioning web page for more information.

The Keystone STARS Think Tank is scheduled to reconvene March 27 to receive recommendations from the work groups. Get up to speed on the work of the Indicators, Professional Development, and Communications workgroups, and submit any comments or questions to [email protected]. 

This initiative is in part by Pennsylvania's Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge grant. For more information on other initiatives funded by this grant, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education website.

mealsFamily Meals Workshops Grant Opportunity 
Application deadline March 24

A mini-grant opportunity is available to child care providers to support community engagement activities aimed at addressing childhood obesity.  The Pennsylvania Race to the Top Family Meals Workshops Grant Opportunity is being offered by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to early childhood programs participating in Keystone STARS. Fourteen grants ($2,500 each) will be awarded to 14 child care programs participating at STAR level 2, 3 or 4, including family child care providers, who complete a grant application and are selected to participate. For additional information, please visit the PA Key website. 

Opportunity Remains to Review and Comment on Part C of IDEA 
Comment deadline March 15
 
There is still time to review and submit your comments on Pennsylvania's proposed grant application for Federal Fiscal Year 2017 under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Pub. L. No 108-446) as amended in 2004. Part C of IDEA refers to  a federal grant program that assists states in operating a comprehensive statewide program of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities , ages birth through age 2 years, and their families. Comments will be accepted through March 15, 2017. Access the document on the PA Dept. of Education  or Dept. of Human Services websites, or request a hard copy by emailing [email protected] or by calling 717-346-9320.

GIApplication Deadline Extended for the P-3 Governor's Institute 
Extended application deadline March 17, 2017 

The deadline to submit an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Child Development and Early Learning, 2017 Prenatal to Grade 3 (P-3) Governor's Institute: P-3 Collaboration - Working Together for Student Success has been extended to March 17, 2017. 

The Pennsylvania's P-3 Governor's Institute aims to help school districts, early learning providers, and community organizations throughout the commonwealth make the vital connections and collaborations necessary for student success from prenatal through grade 3. The 2017 P-3 Governor's Institutes are being offered regionally: 
    • June 27-29 Marriott in Cranberry; 
    • July 11-13 Sky Top Lodge in the Poconos; 
    • July 31- August 2 Hershey Lodge in Hershey. 
School districts, birth-5 early learning programs, and community organizations may submit an application. Get additional details and how your team can apply to participate.

Employment Opportunity: PA Key Early Head Start Specialist 

The Berks County Intermediate Unit and the PA Key are seeking an individual with experience in Head Start and Infant/Toddler programming to provide technical assistance, coaching and monitoring to infant/toddler programs in a variety of early learning settings primarily in the Southeastern region of the state.Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills are also necessary. Master's degree in early education, child development, special education or social work preferred. Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards preferred. Minimum of 5 years of high level work in the field of early learning.  Full time position available.Works with programs primarily in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Philadelphia Counties with periodic travel to Harrisburg. Send cover letter and resume to Kelly Hollenbach, BCIU, 1111 Commons Blvd., P.O. Box 16050, Reading, PA  19612-6050 or email to [email protected] by March 17, 2017. Online application available at www.berksiu.org. EOE

Program Quality Assessment Team Launches N ew Blog

A new blog, Let's Talk Quality! A Program Quality Assessment in Pennsylvania provides news, information, and tips and tricks for all things related to quality practices in early childhood and school age programming. This includes a Head Start or PA Pre-K Counts classroom, family child care or group home. The blog also includes information related to Environment Rating Scale® (ERS®) assessment, but is not limited to only ERS topics. In addition to providing support in the ERS assessment process as it relates to all of Pennsylvania's quality initiatives, the blog also features information on best practices in the field of early childhood education and developmentally appropriate ideas to use in early childhood classrooms. The blog is also intended to be a point of communication for providers to reach out to the assessment team. (Although, the team asks that any questions related to specific site assessments that providers reach out to their Keystone STARS Specialist or Preschool Program Specialist.) For more information and to access the blog, please visit www.programqualityassessmentinpa.com.

Study to Evaluate Philadelphia's Preschool Program

The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) has received a $1.8 million grant from the William Penn Foundation to conduct a three-year evaluation of Philadelphia's preschool program and provide the City with feedback on program design and implementation, as well as an analysis of impacts on children's learning and development. The multi-site study will employ a combination of methods to assess PHLpreK program quality to provide guidance for building an excellent program that benefits local families and serves as a model for other programs throughout the nation. 

The evaluation is designed to be part of a continuous improvement process that will inform classroom practices, systems to support pre-K providers, and improve kindergarten readiness. The evaluation will also include a review of the economic impacts of PHLpreK and the cost-effectiveness of the program in comparison with other interventions for young children. For additional details, visit the City of Philadelphia website. 

PA One Book #ClassicCountdown Wraps Up with 2017 Selection

The PA One Book Classic Countdown wraps up the countdown of 11 books in 11 weeks with the launch of the 12th PA One Book selection, Daniel Finds a Poem by author Micha Archer. Since January, the past PA One Book selections have been highlighted, along with activities, traveling trunks, readings, and recollections of the book. Follow the PA One Book on Facebook or Instagram for updates. Not into social media? PA's Promise for Children has all the highlights from each week. Stay tuned for a special opportunity coming mid-March on how you can get your own copy of the 2017 PA One Book!

Would you like to be a PA One Book guest reader or host a guest reader during April's Month of the Young Child? Hurry and register! Registration ends March 8.

Share the Impact of Early Learning 

PA's Promise for Children provides an opportunity for families and early learning partners to provide their stories about how early learning has made an impact in the lives of children. Now is the time for families and partners in your communities to share the impact of early learning! 

Family or partner stories don't have to long or poetic. They don't have to be dramatic or perfect. Some of the most amazing stories are from families whose children have participated in programs like PA Pre-K Counts, Early Intervention, Head Start, Nurse-Family Partnerships, or have received Child Care Works or attend a Keystone STARS early learning program. 

Sharing a story is easy. It can be sent to [email protected] as a document or in an email, or it can be submitted online at the PA's Promise for Children website. 

teachT.E.A.C.H. Scholarships Available for Fall 2016 - Summer 2017 Semesters 

Did you know T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships are available to retroactively reimburse eligible students who were enrolled for the Fall 2016 & Spring 2017 semesters? PACCA is also accepting applications for late start Spring and Summer 2017 semesters. 

T.E.A.C.H. scholarships are a partnership between the sponsoring child care program, scholarship recipient, and OCDEL so that: 
    • Scholarship recipients receive funding for tuition, books, travel, paid release time (from their sponsoring early childhood education program) and a bonus or raise after each successful scholarship year. 
    • Sponsoring early childhood education programs receive funding for substitutes so the student can attend class or study, and a commitment from the student to stay at the program for an additional year after each scholarship year. Sponsoring programs agree to cover the cost of the bonus or raise. 
    • The early childhood field gains higher retention and higher compensation for a more educated workforce.
Applicants may apply for scholarships for a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; CDA Assessment, Associate's degree; Bachelor's degree; or PA Teacher Certification (Level I and II.) For more information, to see if you quality, and to apply, visit PACCA's website.
Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge

25% increase in early learning programs searches since launch of findchildcare.pa.gov 

Since the August 2016 launch of the revised COMPASS early learning program search site, www.findchildcare.pa.gov, searches have increased an average of 25 percent with an average of nearly 14,000 visitors a month. 

The user-friendly updates allow families to search for information about early learning programs and providers, get information about help paying for child care, explore the different early learning programs, locate information about quality early learning program/providers, learn about regulations, and find activities to support and information about their child developmental milestones. Search features allow for detailed information to help families find a child care/ early learning program that fits their needs. 

All providers with records in PELICAN are strongly encouraged to update their program information in Provider Self-Service (PSS). The information providers enter in PSS feeds directly into the public early learning program search site, www.findchildcare.pa.gov.

The Impact of the Community Innovation Zones - March 2017 

In 2014, the Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge funded Early Childhood Education Community Innovation Zone (CIZ) grant program awarded the first of 50 grants to 12 communities with exemplary innovations already in place.

"Our first 12 grantees have made great strides in their local communities," stated Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Pedro Rivera. "Grantees have used innovative technology in preschools to increase literacy; created community wide collaborations where over 30 local agencies continue to participate; empowered parents by training them in math and literacy skills so they can go back into their own communities and train other families; and developed a live online preschool program that has reached migrant and medically fragile children."

Pennsylvania partners are encouraged by their work and efforts around sustainability. In March, three grantees are featured: Greater Nanticoke Area School District, Chester County Intermediate Unit, and Pottstown Area School District. Read of their lessons learned, what has had the most impact in their communities, and more in the March edition of the CIZ update.

In the News: CIZ Grant Impacts Engagement Through Technology 

Greene County Community Innovation Zone (CIZ) grantee, Community Action Southwest and their partnership with Jefferson-Morgan Elementary School were highlighted in a recent article in the Herald Standard. The article focuses on the district's efforts in closing the achievement gap by promoting parent engagement via technology. Read the article.
This initiative is a part of Pennsylvania's Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge grant. For more information on other initiatives funded by this grant, visit the
Federal News

U.S. Dept. of Education Announces Betsy DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education 

Elisabeth "Betsy" DeVos was confirmed as the 11th U.S. Secretary of Education on February 7, 2017. Secretary DeVos shared words to staff on her first day as Secretary, "...embracing diversity and inclusion are key elements for success...I believe that getting to know, working with, befriending and including people who are different from ourselves is enriching and expanding." Read more.

OPRE: Technology Safety in Early Learning Settings

A brief, The Use of Technology to Support Early Childhood Practice: Protecting Child, Parent, and the Practitioner Privacy, from The Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation (OPRE) addresses privacy and security considerations related to computer software, mobile applications (apps), and web-based tools that early childhood practitioners may access via the Internet as part of their work with children and families. 

Included in the brief are discussions of: 
  • types of information companies that provide technology tools might collect;
  • strategies programs can use to protect individual's privacy; 
  • tips on what content to include in written agreements or contracts related to technology use, and; 
  • discussion of extra steps necessary when accepting click-wrap licenses for consumer apps. 
The brief concludes that it is crucial to ensure that any service used protects the privacy of children, parents, and practitioners, and reinforces that programs need to establish policies and procedures to this end.


Of Interest

ECMHPA DHS Receives Technical Assistance Grant for Early Childhood Mental Health 

The PA Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Ted Dallas recently announced the department is a recipient of an Intensive Technical Assistance grant through the Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) as a tool for promoting mental health and school readiness. IECMHC improves children's lives by supporting their social, emotional, and behavioral health and development. 

The grant is a three-year technical assistance opportunity structured to assist 12 states, tribal communities, and United States territories in advancing their IECMHC toolkit including planning, implementation, evaluation, and sustainability efforts. The toolkit will help shape practices and policies to further advance the work being conducted within the commonwealth.

The IECMHC toolkit will guide states by helping them: 
  • Implement effective models of IECMHC; 
  • Increase equality and reduce disparities; 
  • Set competency standards; 
  • Communicate key messages; 
  • Conduct meaningful research and evaluation; and 
  • Develop strategies for financing.
RFA open for Creating a Healthy School Environment Grant and Awards Program
Application deadline March 16 

The Highmark Foundation has released Creating a Healthy School Environment Grant and Awards Program, which addresses six areas that shape the health, education and well-being of our children through grants, partnerships, social media, school updates, professional development for teachers, administrators and school nurses and publishing or presenting findings from evidence-based interventions. The program provides schools with opportunities to implement best practices and to demonstrate the effectiveness of promoting a culture of school health and wellness. Schools in central and western Pennsylvania are eligible to apply.

2017 Champion Schools Awards Open for Grant Applications
Deadline March 17

With support from The Heinz Endowments, Let's Move Pittsburgh is pleased to announce that the 2017 Champion Schools Awards are open now for applications! Since 2014, the Champion Schools program has helped to make possible more than 100 children's health programs reaching more than 25,000 children, and are excited to help childcare centers, pre-kindergarten and elementary schools throughout Allegheny County become a healthier places for kids to learn and grow. Applications are being accepted through March 17. Learn more and apply. 

Johnstown Area Students and Teachers Invited to Take Part in Bookmark Design Contest
Deadline March 18

The Children's Book Festival of Johnstown is an annual event that connects top-selling, critically-acclaimed children's authors, illustrators and storytellers with area kids. To kick off the festival, The Learning Lamp is calling on local students to use their imaginations and create a bookmark that tells a story focused around our theme of "READ, ROCK & ROLL." Their hand-drawn creations will be featured at the 9th annual Children's Book Festival of Johnstown, which takes place April 1-2, 2017. Read more.

Dart Foundation Grant 
Deadline May 15 

The Dart Foundation considers requests from tax qualified organizations for projects that support public school education, with an emphasis on STEM; and community service organizations in one of their geographic funding areas which includes Leola and Lancaster in Pennsylvania.  
Trends and Reports

Toddlers: Peer Learning Group

The National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance, the BUILD Initiative, and the State Capacity Building Center's Infant/Toddler Specialist Network worked with state teams to consider systems and policy work focused on infants and toddlers in their states. This peer learning group provided an overview of essential policies for infant and toddler care followed by state exchanges regarding what was working as well as problem-solving around challenges. Visit the QRIS website to explore these resources.

MathMaking Math Count More for Young Latino Children 

A new report from the Child Trends Hispanic Institute raises awareness of the need to foster math skills in young Latino children, and offers ways to do so. Latinos now account for 1 out of every 4 kindergartners in the country; their early education is of great importance for them personally, and also has major implications for the future U.S. economy. Making Math Count More for Young Latino Children outlines the disparity in early math skills between Latino and white children and includes a review of existing research on the early development of math skills in Hispanic children. Within the report, find recommendations for policymakers, organizations, the education community, parents and researchers.
Resources

Top Six Ways to Get Your Child Ready For Kindergarten

Kindergarten registration isn't the only way families and early learning programs and providers can help children prepare for kindergarten. PA's Promise for Children has the top six ways to get a child ready for kindergarten. Easy to print and available in English and Spanish.

Autism Navigator 

With just a click of your mouse you can find excellent resources for supporting young children with autism and social communication delays. Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) has assembled the best early childhood resources on the EITA Portal Topic of Interest Autism Page. 

Active Supervision: Sometimes It's What You Don't Hear That's Important 

New from Head Start is the fact sheet Active Supervision At-A-Glance Six Strategies To Keep Children Safe. The fact sheet is available in English and Spanish. Although written for Head Start, it contains key strategies that can apply to all types of care, to all age groups, and all activities.

Disabilities Services Newsletter to Help Develop Services for Children 

The Disabilities Services Newsletter is a resource developed by the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning (NCECDTL). It is intended to help Head Start disabilities coordinators understand and explore issues related to disabilities services. Head Start programs can use this resource as they develop services for children with disabilities to meet Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) related to interim services. Click to access or sign up for the newsletter.

Get  Moving Calendar

Want to give families fun and easy ideas to get their children moving every day? Check out Get Moving Today! Activity Calendar from Let's Move. This free resource has 365 activities for families to incorporate movement into their daily activities. For example, families can read a book with children and have them act out the movements. Or, using a make believe paintbrush, families can have children paint their home and ask them to stretch high, reach low, paint fast and paint slow. 

Celebrate Reading in March

During the entire month of March, celebrate "Read Aloud Month" with Read Aloud 15 Minutes, a non-profit organization that recognizes the benefits of reading aloud to children and encourages families and caregivers to read aloud every day for at least 15 minutes. At readaloud.org there are tons of great resources that you will want to share with others in order to inspire reading every day. There are several items available to download in the Partner Toolkit, like Read Aloud From Birth Parent Handout, Read Aloud Reading Tracker, and 15 Read Aloud Tips for Infants and Toddlers.

Updated Information on Immunizations 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has released the 2017 Recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth through 6 years old. The two-page easy to read and printable document highlights vaccine-preventable diseases and the vaccines that prevent them, as well as details how the disease is spread, the symptoms, and complications of the disease. Also available are the recommendations for children 7-18 years old. These documents are great resources to print and share with families.

Baby Talk, February edition 

The February edition of Baby Talk from Camille Catlett shares information on how to identify and support children experiencing stress, adaptive art tools, parental obesity and early childhood development, and more. Read the February Baby Talk.

Correction: Vermont Early Childhood Suspension - Expulsion Resources: An Annotated Collection of Free Materials

The February edition of the PA Early Ed News listed an incorrect link for the Vermont Early Childhood Suspension - Expulsion Resources: An Annotated Collection of Free Materials. Click here to access the correct link for the resource.

Calendar of Events


Higher Education


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The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) provides families access to high quality services to prepare children for school and life success. 
  
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The Pennsylvania Early Childhood Education News is a project of the Pennsylvania Build Initiative and the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Human Services to inform early learning professionals, the early childhood community, policymakers, community leaders and the public on developments in early childhood education and care in Pennsylvania.

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