Governor Wolf Signs Lights On Afterschool Day Proclamation

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf recently issued a proclamation officially recognizing Oct. 20, 2022, as Lights On Afterschool Day. In his proclamation, Governor Wolf recognizes the importance of afterschool programs to keep parents working, build leadership and 21st-century skills in our children, and provide holistic support for the whole child and their social and emotional development and interpersonal skills.

Lights on Afterschool seeks to highlight the work afterschool programs do to support the well-being of their students and communities by providing a safe space for youth to learn and providing them with valuable personal and professional development opportunities.

Healthy Minds Learning Lab: Working with Anxiety

On Nov. 16, 2022, at 1:00, join the Working with Work Anxiety online event. 40 million adults in the U.S. are affected by anxiety disorders - that’s 18% of the population - much of which is caused by work. Even if you don’t have a specific anxiety diagnosis, living with anxiety due to workplace stressors is enormously common in today’s workforce, made even more extreme due to the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthy Minds @Work organizations attend free! Just add the promo code NOVLL during checkout. Click to attend live or receive an emailed recording after the event. 

Small Business Credit Survey

Small businesses are at the heart of a thriving community. Are you a small business owner? Do you work with small business owners? This year's Small Business Credit Survey, fielded by the Federal Reserve Banks, is open, and owners of for-profit businesses currently in operation, those who recently closed, or are about to launch, are invited to participate.

By taking the survey, participants can contribute to data that informs the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others — which ultimately benefits small businesses like theirs. It only takes 10 minutes, and responses are confidential. Access the survey. The survey closes Nov. 4, 2022. Questions? Contact Grace Guynn at [email protected].

Message from Better Kid Care

A revision based on regulatory guidance was made to the new course “Pennsylvania Health and Safety Update 2022” (Versión en español: Actualización de Salud y Seguridad de Pennsylvania 2022). 

In compliance with Pennsylvania regulations – diapering requirements (3270.135, 3280.135, 3290.135) “If disposable diapers are provided by a parent or by a facility, a soiled diaper shall be discarded by immediately placing the diaper into a plastic-lined, hands-free covered can.” This is to be done instead of putting the soiled diaper in a plastic bag with a secure tie and then disposed of, as stated in the course.

The correction was found after the final review and launch were completed and was added to the course. If you completed the course before October 8, 2022, please note this correction. You can access the course for free if you want to review course content. However, no further action is required in BKC On Demand if you’ve already completed the course.

Reminder: Upcoming Sunset Dates

Oct. 31, 2022, is the sunset date for the following Announcements from the Office of Child Development and Early Learning:

• Announcement C-21-09 Updated September 30, 2022, Reinstating and Extensions of Child Care Certification Regulation Suspensions Due to Act 73, Act 14 and Act 30
• Announcement ELRC 21 #09, Child Care Works (CCW) Payment During the Ongoing Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Mail In Ballot Tips

Mail ballots must be RECEIVED by your county board of elections by 8 pm, Nov. 8, 2022. Your ballot must be in the inner secrecy envelope & the pre-addressed outer return envelope where you, the voter, must sign & date. Don't forget to add a stamp to the outer return envelope before mailing!