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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).
ECE Special Initiative for Janssen, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 Vaccine Update
Thank you to all early childhood education (ECE) professionals who participated in the ECE Special Initiative for Janssen, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 Vaccine by completing the ECE Registration Request Form by the March 19, 2021, deadline. The survey is now closed. Individuals that did not sign up in this initiative are able to schedule independently through local participating pharmacies or their health care provider.

Information collected in the J&J Vaccine ECE Registration Request Form has been provided to the Department of Health and is being assigned to Retail Pharmacy Partners (RPP) for follow up. ECE workers will be contacted by one of the local RPP to schedule vaccinations using the additional, separate allocations of J&J vaccine RPP receive from the federal government. Each local RPP may handle scheduling differently. Directors should share with their program staff, that RPP will be reaching out based on the shared contact information. 

Those interested in receiving the vaccine, independent of this Special Initiative, can locate vaccine providers by visiting the Department of Health's interactive Vaccine Provider Map.
COVID-19 Vaccines: Best Defense
OCDEL encourages all ECE and pre-K-12th grade educators to become vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccinations are our best defense against this virus. All approved vaccines have been rigorously tested. They are safe and effective and will help us reach herd immunity and keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities safe from this virus. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines at www.pa.gov.covid.
#SleeveUp4ChildCare
Early childhood education staff may be excited to share their vaccine status, but are cautioned against posting photos on social media of their vaccine cards. Instead, use the hashtags #SleeveUp4ChildCare and #SleeveUp4HeadStart. Directors can encourage programs to use the hashtags as their staff receive the vaccine. 
Celebrating Month of the Young Child
There's still time for early childhood education (ECE) professionals and families to share their story for April's Month of the Young Child. Throughout April, PA's Promise for Children will promote stories from families and ECE professionals on the impact of quality early learning. Read stories to gain inspiration, then take a few moments to submit your own story and encourage fellow ECE professionals and families to share their stories.