Welcome to the ECE Recap where you can find the
most recent and important information from the
Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).
Did you know ARPA Stabilization Grants are Coming?

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is making American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization Grants available to eligible child care providers. These grants and the required reporting will be completed in the Professional Development (PD) Registry. Next steps, including eligibility and application details will be shared over the next several weeks. The application will be available mid-September, so please stay tuned! 
 
Are you ready?
In order to apply, all child care providers need to get ready.

Create a PD Registry Account: Directors/Owners/ Administrators/ Fiscal Staff*: Make sure you have an account created in the PD Registry.
  • The person completing the application for your facility must have an account in the PD Registry to apply. Figure out who this key staff is now!
  • If you have an account, you do not need to create a new one.
 
Claim Your Organization - Directors/Owners/ Administrators/ Fiscal Staff*: Make sure you have claimed your organization in the PD Registry.
  • The person who plans to complete the application must claim your organization as an administrator of the facility, 
  • If you have already claimed your organization, you do not need to claim it again. 
 
*Each facility can have multiple administrators but only one person can apply for ARPA Stabilization Grant funds on behalf of the program.
 
Send questions about creating an account and claiming your organization in the PD Registry to registry@pakeys.org
 
Once you are ready… 
  1. Make sure you and anyone applying for the ARPA Stabilization Grant is subscribed to this newsletter. Updates and information will be shared via the PA Early Ed News Special Announcements, the weekly ECE Recap and Certification Announcements. Click here to subscribe.
  2. Check your email or see announcements here over the next few weeks for next steps and to learn more about:
  • Eligibility requirements;
  • What information you will need for your application;
  • How you can use the funds; and
  • What you will be required to report on after you receive the funds.
Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Childhood Education Programs

The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) strongly recommend and encourage all early childhood education (ECE) providers follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance at all times. The updated COVID-19 guidance outlines strategies for ECE programs to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and maintain safe operations. Click to view the key takeaways and summary of recent changes.
 
Please share with staff and find updated CDC guidance here.  

Your Voice is Important! Register for An ELRC Listening Session

During a 90-minute Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Listening Session, early childhood education providers can share feedback on what is working with ELRC model and any gaps in the current system of ELRCs.

Resources for Keeping Families Fed

Pandemic EBT is a program that gives families money to purchase food due to disruptions in school. Please help get this info to staff and families by sharing the flyers, available in English and Spanish.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As a result, the average SNAP benefit – excluding additional funds provided as part of pandemic relief – will increase for Fiscal Year 2022 beginning on Oct. 1, 2021.

The GIANT Company has joined the USDA SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot. This program allows SNAP recipients to purchase groceries for pickup or delivery online. The GIANT Company joins ten other approved Pennsylvania retailers.
Upcoming Deadlines