2022-23 Governor’s Executive Budget Overview, Office of Child Development and Early Learning
On February 8, 2022, Governor Tom Wolf provided his final Executive Budget Address. Over the past eight years, the Governor has included significant investments in early childhood programs. See this year's budget highlights for early childhood programs.
Register for the 2022 Career Pathway Updates Webinar
The Career Pathway Team at the Pennsylvania Key invites early childhood educators to participate in a brief webinar to be held Feb. 24, 2022, at 1:00pm, to address changes to and features of the Career Pathway verification process. The webinar will include refresher items to make your process as easy as possible, as well as several new items and changes. Registration is required and participation is limited, so register now!
Updated Counties for Department of Health (DOH) Early Childhood Education COVID-19 Reporting Options
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has provided two (2) options for Department of Human Services (DHS) certified child care facilities to report positive COVID-19 cases, either by email or phone. This resource has updated counties and provides an outline of the processthat should be followed when reporting cases to DOH. Get more info.
Q&A Log and Responses Added to Family Support Program RFA Addendums
The Q&A Log and Responses document has been added to the Flyers/Addendums section of the RFA for Family Support Programs. The Department’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports, is seeking to award funds to qualified Applicants for the implementation or continuation of Family Support Programs, which consist of community-based, high-quality Evidence-Based Home Visiting services, as well as three categories of enhancements to these services: Evidence-Informed Programs, EBHV Model Enhancements, and Program Enhancements. Solicitation deadline is March 11, 2022.
Face Coverings: Best Practices and Resources for Child Care Providers - Updates
To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, CDC continues to recommend masking is a critical public health tool for preventing spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask.Learn about the types of masks and respirators.
Overall Key Updates (Provided by the CDC, issued January 28, 2022:):
Masks and respirators are effective at reducing transmission of the Coronavirus when worn consistently and correctly.
Choose a well-fitting and comfortable mask or respirator that your child can wear properly. A poorly fitting or uncomfortable mask or respirator might be worn incorrectly or removed often, and that would reduce its intended benefits.
Choose a size that fits over the child’s nose and under the chin but does not impair vision.
If your child has a hard time breathing, gets dizzy, or has other symptoms while you are trying to get the mask to fit better or when using an ASTM F3502 mask or a respirator, choose a regular cloth or disposable mask. They should continue to follow CDC guidance to protect themselves and others. Consult your healthcare provider if these symptoms do not resolve.
Parents and caregivers may have questions about NIOSH-approved respirators (such as N95s) for children. Although respirators may be available in smaller sizes, they are typically designed to be used by adults in workplaces, and therefore have not been tested for broad use in children.
Clear masks or cloth masks with a clear plastic panel are an alternative type of mask that may be helpful when interacting with certain groups of people
Resources: Child-sized high quality respirator masks (KN95/N95).
The February 2022 of the Family Support News Brief is now available. This issue has info on preschoolers and screen time, celebrating 30 years of PA Parents as Teachers, Black History Month, and more. Read this issue.
