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).
OCDEL Announces Impact Project to
Re-write Child Care Regulations

During last week’s ECE Summit, OCDEL staff announced the kick-off of an Impact Project with the National State Capacity Building Center that will focus on re-writing Pennsylvania’s child care regulations with a lens toward equity, quality and decreasing provider burden. Watch the Session from the Virtual ECE Summit. OCDEL is seeking providers to participate in an Early Learning Council (ELC) Subcommittee that will provide feedback on the draft regulations.

Please visit the Certification Rewrite Page on the Pennsylvania Key’s website to view a video from Deputy Secretary Tracey Campanini, and learn more about the process. The ELC Subcommittee application will be open until Nov. 19, 2021.
Did You Know...ARPA Edition

Did you know…directors, owners, administrators and/or designated fiscal staff members can access the ARPA application for their program under the Keystone STARS/Grants tab in their organization’s profile in the PD Registry. Get information you need to know to apply for the ARPA grant prior to the Jan. 31, 2022 deadline. Visit the Pennsylvania Key website for info.
LIHEAP Applications Now Open

Pennsylvanians who meet income guidelines can now apply for help with winter heating costs. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now accepting applications online or via a paper application. LIHEAP helps families who meet income guidelines pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants. The cash grant is a one-time payment sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider to be credited on the bill. These grants range from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type. Please share this information with the families you serve.
Hotline to Assist Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Recipients

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has launched a live hotline to assist families with the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program. Pennsylvanians who have not received their child’s P-EBT benefits or have an issue with P-EBT can dial 484-363-2137 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cohorting Strategies in Child Care Settings

Best practices and additional resources to help ECE providers ensure proper cohorting strategies during COVID-19 has been added to the COVID-19 Best Practices for ECE page. 
Regulatory Suspension Update

Pursuant to Act 73 of 2021 (HB 1861), the suspension of various regulatory provisions under the state disaster emergency declaration that were set to expire on Sept. 30, 2021, were extended until further notice.  
 
OCDEL strongly advises licensed child care providers implement plans and strategies to meet the currently suspended regulations while OCDEL works through the process to reinstate some of its regulations.  
Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators

The Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators (PA PSCECE) are the general knowledge and skills that educators need to know and be able to demonstrate as they work with children and families. Updates will be coming soon on the Pennsylvania Key website. Watch for the release of a new Introductory course coming Nov. 1, 2021.
Upcoming Deadlines