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).
Early Childhood Educators Invited to Participate in ELRC Listening Sessions

Early childhood educators, your input is requested in the 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 now to participate in a listening session.
Announcement 21 #04 Child Care Works Payment During the Novel Coronavirus

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development has released the Announcement 21 #04, Child Care Works Payment During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Announcement provides updated information to child care programs participating in Child Care Works (CCW) through the Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRC), as described in ELRC Announcement 20-17. See the Announcement for details.
Infant/Toddler Early Intervention Three Percent Rate Increase Effective July 1, 2021

July 1, 2021: The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) plans to use the combined federal funds, American Rescue Plan Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C & Home and Community Based Services Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid (HCBS FMAP) increase to support a three percent rate increase across all rates for Infant/Toddler Early Intervention services, effective July 1, 2021. This will also allow all providers of Early Intervention (EI) services, including EI services that are county negotiated, to receive the three percent rate increase for services. OCDEL anticipates the three percent rate increase will be supported by these two federal increases through March 2024. This three percent increase is time limited and will end.
Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts and HSSAP Policy Announcement

The PKC 20-#003; HSSAP 20-#003 Remote Learning Program and Attendance Monitoring Policy announcement ended effective June 15, 2021, with the lifting of the Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency. Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts (PA PKC) and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program (HSSAP) providers should now reference PKC 21-#001; HSSAP 21-#001 Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts (PA PKC) and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Programs Program (HSSAP) Planning Post-Pandemic and Options for Remote Learning (issued June 16, 2021) which was effective July 1, 2021. Grantees can find these documents in the intranet.
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