November 2024 Edition

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Celebrate National Family Engagement Month

Family engagement is a collaborative and strengths-based process through which early childhood professionals, families, and children build positive and goal-oriented relationships. It is a shared responsibility of families and staff at all levels that requires mutual respect for the roles and strengths each has to offer.

Strong family engagement is central in promoting children’s healthy development and wellness, including:

• social-emotional and behavioral development;
• preparing children for school;
• seamlessly transitioning them to kindergarten; and
• supporting academic achievement in elementary school and beyond.

During November, celebrate National Family Engagement Month with activities and resources for families and early learning professionals from PA's Promise for Children. 

Watch the video from OCDEL Deputy Secretary, Shante' Brown, to hear inspiring information about family engagement.

Register Now for the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Info Session

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) recognizes the systemic stress associated with working in the early childhood profession and is offering a no-cost 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course (a $723 value) to Pennsylvania early childhood educators. Earn your course certificate of completion and digital Mindful Leader badge! 28 PQAS hours are available upon completion of the 8-week course.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a scientifically researched program that can help people reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It’s a secular program that’s based on proven medical and psychological research. MBSR is based on the idea that cultivating present-moment attention in an open, nonjudgmental way can help people take charge of their lives and respond to their own stress and pain.

There will be an online Information Session on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, from 12:30-1:30 pm. Attendance at the Information Session is not required to participate in the MBSR course, and the session will be recorded. Learn more and register for the Info Session!

Pennsylvania Early Childhood Education Professionals: OCDEL wants to hear from you!

On behalf of OCDEL and The Pennsylvania Key, the Institute of State and Regional Affairs (ISRA) at Penn State Harrisburg is conducting a survey of early childhood education professionals in Pennsylvania. The purpose of the survey is to learn about and identify solutions related to staffing, retention, and professional development resources throughout the state.

The survey is open to all Pennsylvania early childhood education professionals at any child care facility (including Head Start and Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts), including teachers, assistant teachers, classroom aids, directors, owner-operators, administrative staff, and all other staff. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. As a thank you for participating, respondents can enter an optional drawing for the chance to win one of 50 $50 Amazon e-gift cards.

Click here to begin the survey in English or Spanish. Please share this link with others who are eligible to participate. The survey will close in January 2025. Click here to share the flyer in English or Spanish.

If you have any questions, please contact ISRA at ChildCareResearch@psu.edu. Thank you for your help with this important initiative!

Save the Date for the 2025 OCDEL Conference

Save the date for the 2025 OCDEL Conference! The 2025 Conference will take place April 22-23, 2025, at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown.

The conference is a transformative event, focused on deepening our understanding of child and adult well-being. This unique gathering will bring together experts, practitioners, and educators, committed to creating stable and secure environments for young children, their families, and the adults who serve them.

Additional information will be coming soon!

Pennsylvania's Early Intervention Services Highlighted at Conference

Pennsylvania's Early Intervention Services were highlighted at the annual in-person Illinois Developmental Therapy Association (IDTA) Conference. OCDEL’s Early Childhood Family Lead for Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) was invited as the opening keynote speaker at the annual conference in Chicago on October 4, 2024. The conference was exclusively designed for the developmental therapists (DT) in the field to connect with peers, gain tips to further their practice, and honor the achievements of DTs in the field.

The keynote highlighted the ECCS Family Lead's personal life-changing experiences as a parent navigating early intervention services for her child and family. The session featured Pennsylvania’s Family Engagement Birth through College, Career, and Community Ready Framework and the inspiring dedication, commitment, and partnership of early intervention and early childhood professionals at the local and state level to ensuring young children and their families have a sense of belonging from the start and are prepared for future success in all aspects of life.

Nov. 15 Deadline Approaching to Apply for T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship, Spring 2025 Semester

The November 15 deadline for ECE professionals interested T.E.A.C.H. is quickly approaching! T.E.A.C.H. applications must be complete and submitted with all required documentation/information by Friday, November 15, 2024 in order to be considered for the Spring 2025 semester. PACCA will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis, however incomplete applications and applications received after this date will not receive priority for consideration. NOTE: New scholarship awards for the Spring 2025 semester will be dependent upon funding availability at that time. 

Interested applicants should also begin the college admissions process now and contact an ECE advisor at their intended college/university. This helps to ensure that scholarship applicants are admitted to their college/university and can register for courses if/when they receive a T.E.A.C.H. scholarship. T.E.A.C.H. can provide contact information for ECE advisors at partnering institutions if needed.  

Need more information? Click here to for details on eligibility, program requirements and to download a scholarship application. Questions? Click here to contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor. 

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Pennsylvania is supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and Pennsylvania’s Department of Education (PDE). For more information, visit dhs.pa.gov and education.pa.gov. T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Pennsylvania is administered by the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) and is a licensed program of Child Care Services Association. 

Enroll for the Spring 2025 Online Child Care Health Advocate Course - Tuition Assistance Available 

Enrollment is now open for the Spring 2025 online Child Care Health Advocate course (EARL 160) offered by Northampton Community College. This unique three-credit hour college course is taught remotely over 14 weeks: January 21 through May 12, 2025 and prepares the Child Care Practitioner to function in the role of a Child Care Health Advocate (CCHA). The course addresses 15 different health and safety modules as a resource for childcare directors, teachers, assistant teachers, and childcare practitioners. Participants will learn to assess, identify, and prioritize the health and safety needs of children and staff and will learn to collaborate with a registered nurse or licensed physician who serves as the facility’s childcare health consultant. 

In partnership with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), tuition assistance is available for child care facility staff currently employed in Pennsylvania. Space is limited; register early to be sure you have a place for the upcoming term. Please access this flyer for a survey here to start the enrollment process for an OCDEL-supported slot. All Pennsylvania early childhood staff including directors, teachers, assistant teachers, and family childcare home providers are eligible to enroll. OCDEL will cover all tuition-related fees, books, and materials for the course (valued at over $1,000). 

The course is intended to enable students to meet  Standard 1.3.2.7 Qualifications and Responsibilities for Health Advocates  from Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards for Early Care and Education Programs. It offers a unique opportunity for Child Care Practitioners to acquire academic credit that may be applicable toward  college degrees and has received accolades from previously enrolled students. Credits from this course can also be used to renew director credentials. Questions regarding course content can be directed to ecels@paaap.org. Register today for this exciting opportunity! 

Engaging Pennsylvania Families and Professionals at Early Intervention Leadership Conference

Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA), on behalf of the Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports, Pennsylvania's Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), recently hosted a statewide Early Intervention Leadership Conference. Over 200 Infant Toddler and Preschool Early Intervention leaders attended the event. The focus of the conference was what leaders can do to promote inclusion and inclusive practices.   

OCDEL Deputy Secretary Shante’ Brown and Bureau Director, Lisa Parker, welcomed the group to the conference and affirmed the Office’s support for inclusion and belonging for all children. Keynote sessions were provided by national experts on inclusion. Alissa Rausch presented information and research on inclusion, and Jani Kozlowski presented it from a family perspective. Sadia Batool, OCDEL Early Childhood Comprehensive System Family Lead, moderated a panel of family leaders who presented on their experiences.

• Nov. 11-13: Summer Learning Summit, Washington, DC 
• Dec. 16-19: National Head Start Association's Parent and Family Engagement Conference, San Diego, CA

2025

• Jan. 27-30: National Head Start Association's Winter Leadership Institute, Washington, DC
• Feb. 26-28: 2025 ELO and EMPOWER Pennsylvania Out of School Time Conference, Harrisburg
• March 15-18: Assoc. of Maternal & Child Health Programs Conference, Washington, DC
• March 24-26: Pennsylvania Migrant Education Program Conference, Gettysburg, PA
• April 14-18: 2025 National Child Nutrition Conference, Dallas
• April 21-25: National Training Institute on Effective Practices: Addressing Challenging Behavior, Tampa, FL
• April 24-26: Association for Early Learning Leaders, Lake Buena Vista, FL
• May 7-10: Leadership Connections National Conference for Early Childhood Leaders, Schaumburg, IL
• May 13-15: International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute, Chapel Hill, NC
• May 19-22: National Head Start Conference, Columbus
• Oct. 7-10: Save the Date: DEC's 41st Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs and Their Families, Portland, OR
• October 8-9: ZERO TO THREE LEARN Conference, Baltimore
• Nov. 19-22: Save the Date: NAEYC Annual Conference, Orlando, FL

2026

• October 2-6: Save the Date: World Association for Infant Mental Health Interim World Congress, Toronto, Canada
• Oct. 18-20: Save the Date: Pennsylvania Early Childhood Education Summit
• Dec. 5-8: Save the Date: NAEYC Annual Conference, Washington, DC

Applications Open for LIHEAP

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now accepting applications. LIHEAP is a federally-funded program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) that provides assistance for home heating bills so those Pennsylvanians meeting eligibility and income guidelines can stay warm and safe during the winter months. Assistance is available for renters and homeowners.

Pennsylvanians can apply for LIHEAP online at www.compass.state.pa.us or can complete an application in person at a county assistance office.

PA Office of Children, Youth and Families Workshops 2025

Do you work with children & families in Pennsylvania? You are eligible to register for FREE Lakeside Global Institute trainings sponsored by PA Office of Children, Youth, & Families (OCYF). Registration is open! All trainings are virtual. Trainings include: Trauma (TR) Workshops and Relational Health, Communication Skills and Emotional Health (RCE) Workshops. Learn more and register.

Apply to Present at 2025 Pennsylvania Migrant Education Program Conference

Application Deadline Nov. 17, 2024

2025 Pennsylvania Migrant Education Program Conference, Education Without Borders: Building Global Leaders, is a unique learning opportunity to advance the quality of educational experiences for migrant education and English learner students and families.

The Conference Committee seeks high-quality sessions that draw connections between current trends, research, equity and inclusion, and best practices for the educational support of migrant students in school and out-of-school time. The committee is particularly interested in session proposals that include, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Accessing and using OCDEL services
• Developmental milestones and referrals through OCDEL or other organizations
• Promising practices in early childhood education, birth to age 5
• Family engagement and community partnerships
• Out of School Time
• Mental Health

The conference will be held March 24-26, 2025 in Gettysburg, PA. The deadline for applications for presentations is Sunday, November 17, 2024, 11:59 PM ET. Learn more and apply.

New Director Mentor Initiative from the Office of Head Start

Application Deadline Dec. 13, 2024

Head Start directors who have been in their position for less than three years can apply now for the PMFO-UCLA New Director Mentor Initiative (NDMI). The initiative provides new directors with a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge and practice through a yearlong mentor-mentee relationship with an effective and experienced Head Start director. Participants will also have an opportunity to enhance their professional networks and improve their performance and career development. Applications are due by Dec. 13, 2024. Learn more and discover how to apply.

The ECLKC Is Moving to HeadStart.gov in Early 2025

In early 2025, the Office of Head Start’s (OHS) Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) website address will officially move to HeadStart.gov! For years, Head Start programs and the early childhood community have used the ECLKC to find information on how to best support children and their families, staff, and prospective grant recipients. This transition is designed to improve access to resources and make Head Start information easier to find and share.

If you visit the ECLKC address after the transition, you will be automatically redirected to the new HeadStart.gov address. All ECLKC pages — including training and technical assistance resources, videos, and the Head Start Locator — will still be accessible under the new HeadStart.gov address. For a while, existing links to the ECLKC will redirect to their new HeadStart.gov equivalents. Help spread the word to local programs, Head Start partners, and other key stakeholders! Check out the FAQs to learn more about what to expect during and after the transition to HeadStart.gov.

How COVID-19 Changed Child Care and Early Education Research

A new report, Child Care and Early Education Research during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned and Future Considerations, prepared for the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) summarizes common pandemic-related challenges among nine OPRE-funded child care and early education (CCEE) research projects, along with changes they made to address these challenges. The report’s findings can inform future research with the CCEE workforce, families, and children that is responsive, flexible, and equitable. 

Enhancing Student Support: Leveraging OST and School Partnerships for Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs 

According to CDC Healthy Schools, Supporting Students with Chronic Health Conditions in School-Based OST Programs, “In the United States, more than 40% of school-aged children and adolescents have at least one chronic health condition, such as asthma, obesity, other physical conditions, and behavior/learning problems." 

The Collaborative for Advancing Health Equity in Out-of-School Time (CAHE-OST) held a webinar to bring together experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on School Health, National Association of School Nurses (NASN), and Early Childhood Connections to discuss best practices to build relationships across student care teams, including the youth themselves, parents, school nurses, OST program staff, and other health care providers. Learn about key takeaways.

Parents' Earnings and the Returns to Universal Pre-Kindergarten

Exciting new research, Parents' Earnings and the Returns to Universal Pre-Kindergarten, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, explores the impact of universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) on parents' earnings and its broader economic returns. Using a randomized lottery design in New Haven, Connecticut, this study finds that UPK enrollment increased parents’ weekly childcare coverage by 11 hours, leading to a significant 21.7% rise in their earnings—benefits that persisted for at least six years. Despite limited persistent academic impact on children, the financial return for families was striking, with $5.51 in after-tax benefits per $1 spent, primarily driven by parents' increased earnings. Results point to full-day UPK serves as a powerful labor market policy with substantial economic returns.

AI Reveals How Infants Learn to Interact with Environment

Researchers from Florida Atlantic University used artificial intelligence (AI) to study how infants transition from random movements to purposeful actions. By tracking infant movements in a baby-mobile experiment, AI models like 2D-CapsNet accurately classified these movements and identified significant changes in foot movements as infants learned to interact with their environment.

The study revealed that infants explore more after losing control of the mobile, suggesting a desire to reconnect with their surroundings. This research highlights the potential of AI to analyze early infant behavior and improve understanding of motor development and learning.

State Policies and Guidance Relating to Outdoor and Nature-Based Experiences in Preschool

Despite the fact that time in nature increases opportunities for play and exercise, boosting children’s health and development and reducing hyperactivity — the bane of our short-attention span era — most American preschoolers don’t get enough time outdoors, according to a new national report, State Policies and Guidance Relating to Outdoor and Nature-Based Experiences in Preschool, from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). Outdoor nature-based learning is vital for young children's health, development, and education. Increased screen time and reduced exposure to nature are linked to serious health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, hyperactivity, stress, asthma, and allergies. These issues are particularly concerning for low-income children who often have limited access to safe outdoor spaces. By prioritizing nature-based learning in early childhood programs, states can help mitigate these health risks.

The November releases of family-friendly newsletters for families and providers of children, ages birth to Kindergarten are now available. The newsletters feature fun early learning activities that align with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards, resources and information to help families as their child's first and most important teacher.

Take a look and share with families and friends, then subscribe to get the next release directly into your inbox.

• Learning is Everywhere
• Kindergarten Here I Come
• Kindergarten Here I Am

Are you an early childhood educator, looking for ways to engage families in your program? This Calendar of Activities from The Pennsylvania Key provides recommendations of activities to engage families and staff. During November, get ideas for celebrating National Family Engagement Month!

Farm to Early Care Funding

Looking to get started with or expand your Farm to Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) activities? There are a variety of federal funding sources that could help support the purchase of culturally relevant local foods; gardening and food tastings; and food, nutrition, and agricultural education, and more. Take a look at this Farm to ECE guide to federal funding from the National CACFP Association.

Culturally Responsive Infant and Toddler Resources from Dairy Council of California

The Dairy Council of California developed two culturally relevant nutrition resources through NACCHO funding regarding the introduction of solid foods to infants and toddlers. These Hispanic and African, Black and Caribbean focused resources are freely available for download.

Partnering with Families for Child Care Emergency Preparedness

Child Care Aware of America has created a document that highlights the importance of partnering with families for emergency preparedness in child care settings. It offers practical guidance on how providers can engage families in emergency planning, ensuring everyone is prepared for potential crises.

The resource includes strategies for communication, family involvement in drills, and sharing critical emergency information. It's designed to support collaboration between child care providers and families to enhance safety and preparedness. 

Free Social Stories

Emergencies and disasters can be distressing for children, especially with the constant news coverage. To support families, the Institute for Childhood Preparedness partnered with Autism Little Learners to create a series of social stories designed to help children understand emergencies and disasters in a gentle, reassuring manner. These free resources are available in English and Spanish, providing valuable information to help make these events less frightening and more manageable for children.

Serving School Meals to Preschoolers

Updated to align with the Final Rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, this four-page worksheet assists National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program operators in planning menus that meet the preschool meal pattern. Available in English and Spanish.

Gardening with Children

It's not too early to start planning spring activities for children--like gardening! Introducing children to gardening can be an enriching experience that fosters a love for nature and promotes an acceptance of healthy foods. By including gardening activities in a child care program, early childhood educators can create a hands-on learning environment for children to witness the magic of seed to harvest. The Institute of Child Nutrition’s Mealtime Memo discusses how to engage children in gardening activities. 

Accommodations for Those with Impacts to Eating Solid Foods

Looking for a way to accommodate those in your early learning or after school program with disabilities or limitations that impact their ability to eat solid foods? MyPlate has a great guide for swallowing and chewing issues that includes some soft foods to incorporate in an early childhood or after school setting menu. 

The October resources from Camille Catlett are now available. The October release of Baby Talk explores Inclusive Learning Environments for Infants and Toddlers, Bed-Sharing with Infants: What the Research Says, and more. The October release of Natural Resources shares information on the Benefits of Engaging Children with Nature, Tips for Teaching in the Outside Classroom, and more.

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