August 2021
 
Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 17 provides a single point-of-contact for Montgomery County families, early learning service providers and community members looking to gain information and access services that support high-quality child care and early learning programs. ELRC Region 17 can help families find the best child care for their children by offering links to many services, including Child Care Works, Pennsylvania’s child care subsidy program.
 
Through ELRC Region 17, child care professionals can obtain support in building quality outcomes for children by working with quality coaches to achieve Keystone STAR 3 and 4 status, building connections with community partners and supporting children and families in accessing additional services, such as PA Pre-K Counts, Head Start, home-visiting and Early Intervention. Please review our monthly newsletter and contact us with questions!
OCDEL Announcements
The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development and Bureau of Certification, has recently released the following Announcements:
 
Announcement C-21-04, Best Practices for Child Care Facilities Operating During the Novel Coronavirus provides certified child care facilities with the best practices for operating a facility during the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It also provides certified child care facilities with guidance on how to handle a positive COVID-19 case or exposure to a positive COVID-19 case in child care facilities.
 
Announcement C-21-05, Obsolete Certification Announcements for Certified Child Care Providers provides updated information to certified child care providers who were impacted by announcements issued as a result of Governor Tom Wolf’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency.
Upcoming ELRC Region 17 Events
 
Wednesday, August 18th, from 1:00-3:00pm
 
Wednesday, September 22nd, from 1:00-2:30pm
 
Thursday, August 26th and Friday, August 27th from 9am-4pm
ELRC Region 17 will hold the next Conscious Discipline training session on August 26th and 27th from 9am-4pm at the Montgomery County Fire Academy, 1175 Academy Drive, Conshohocken, PA 19428. Conscious Discipline identifies the seven powers needed for conscious adults to regulate their own emotions enough to see conflict differently and the seven basic skills of discipline that will empower adults to respond to conflict and upset in a way that instills life skills. Registration information will be available soon!
Going Back to Child Care in 2021: A webinar for families
A free one-hour webinar for parents/caretakers of children from birth to five
 on Tuesday, August 17, 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
 
  • Are you a working parent who needs child care?
  • Does your child need more interaction with others?
  • Are you worried that your child might get Covid-19 from a child care center?
  • Concerned about your child’s kindergarten readiness?
  • What do "licensed" and "high quality" really mean?
  • Is financial aid available?
 
A panel will answer these questions and more and will feature a parent, a health expert, child care providers and an info/referral expert. Register in advance at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3515670154485673998. Sponsored by The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA), a statewide non-profit organization that is part of StartStrongPA.
ELRC Listening Sessions
Now is the time for early childhood educators to register to participate in an Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) Listening Session. The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is seeking stakeholder input related to the ELRC model. What is working with ELRCs? Are there gaps in the current system of ELRCs? Early childhood education professionals are invited to share their perspectives about Pennsylvania’s ELRCs during listening sessions throughout July and August. Stakeholders are welcome to participate in the session that best fits their schedule, however special sessions for family child care, group child care and school age child care programs are available. Register here to participate in a listening session.
Other Resources
Early Learning Resource Center Region 17
In partnership with Montgomery County Dept of Health and Human Services
P.O. Box 311, 1430 DeKalb Street
Norristown, PA 19404
Phone: (610) 278-3707
Fax: (610) 278-5161