Welcome Messages from DHS and PDE Secretaries and OCDEL Update

Welcome messages from the Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Valerie A. Arkoosh and Pennsylvania Department of Education Acting Secretary Khalid N. Mumin were released via a Special Announcement on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. 

The Special Announcement also included the announcement of Shante’ Brown as the Deputy Secretary for the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Read the Special Announcement for more info.

Final Dates for Upcoming Regional Meetings for PA Pre-K Counts

Any eligible applicant applying for a PA Pre-K Counts grant is highly encouraged to participate in at least one regional meeting. Opportunities for regional networking are a means to coordinate and collaborate on required Requests for Application (RFA) items, such as community needs assessments and partnerships, which will be highly prioritized during the RFA process.

Regional meetings are taking place throughout the state. The final upcoming meetings include:

• Today! Monday, February 13, 2023, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, Milton, PA at Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
• Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, Harrisburg, PA at Harrisburg PaTTAN
• Thursday, February 16, 2023, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, Lititz, PA at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
• Final meeting! Wednesday, February 22, 2023, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Pittsburgh, PA at Pittsburgh PaTTAN

Register for one of these meetings, or get info about other regional meetings.

Early Learning Resource Center Request for Applications

The Early Learning Resource Center Request for Applications is now open on Pennsylvania’s eMarketplace. Information can be found here: PA - eMarketplace (state.pa.us)

The deadline to submit applications has been extended to March 8, 2023.

Providers: Reminder Certified Provider Agreement-Requirements for Keeping Information

Per the Certified Provider Agreement entered into with the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC), Article III Conditions of Employment (d) Requirements for Keeping Information states:

1)   The provider must keep the information listed below for a minimum of six (6) years after the end of the fiscal year that child care was provided, or until audits, legal actions, claims or other disagreements with the ELRC and/or OCDEL are resolved, whichever is later:

 i.  Attendance sheets, which include attendance invoices and daily attendance logs. The daily logs are required either in electronic or a hard copy and must show each child’s name, drop-off and pick-up times, and date. Each drop-off and pick-up must be validated by the parent with signatures or an electronic sign in/sign out process.

 ii.  Financial records;

iii.  Documents required for this Agreement;

iv.  Documentation of actions taken by OCDEL against the provider;

 v.  Information that relates to the settlement of claims arising out of the performance or amount of money paid under this Agreement; and

vi. Any other information required for this Agreement

2)   The provider must allow representatives of the following agencies access to all required records (including information about enrolled Child Care Works parents/caretakers and their children):

i.  DHS and its agents, including employees of the ELRC, CAO, OCDEL, OIM and OSIG;

 ii.  The U. S. Comptroller General’s office and its agents;

 iii.  The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services and its agents; and

 iv.  The IRS

This agreement shall end if a provider fails to comply with the conditions specified in this agreement and appendices. (Please reference Article IV. Ending the Provider Agreement).



Please contact your local ELRC with any questions.