November 2019 edition
An inside look at Pennsylvania's early education system.
What's New for November
The November edition of the PA Early Ed News brings a variety of information and supports to those with an investment of and interest in Pennsylvania's early childhood education system. 

The now-available Plans of Safe Care FAQ is a follow up to the Governor’s Institute on Plans of Safe Care that was rolled out in late 2018. The FAQ is a partnership between the departments of Health, Human Services, Drug and Alcohol, and Children, Youth and Families. Take a look at the FAQ below, then visit the website for additional resources, including a webinar and Plans of Safe Care templates.

As a reminder, if you're a child care providers, make sure your prices are correct in the online Provider Self-Service Portal for the Market Rate Survey. Updated information from child care providers will provide more accurate information to determine child care prices in Pennsylvania and will provide OCDEL with important data to compare private pay prices with the Child Care Works reimbursements known as base rates . Your updated information will ensure OCDEL has a good understanding of child care prices across each Early Learning Resource Center Region (ELRC). The survey is available through Dec. 30, 2019 within PELICAN Provider Self-Service. (Providers need a User Name and Password to enter.) Your  Early Learning Resource Center  can help you enroll in Provider Self-Service or update your child care prices if you do not have access to Provider Self-Service.

The U.S. Census Bureau is the federal government’s largest statistical agency, dedicated to providing current facts and figures about America’s people, places, and economy. The census provides vital information for you and your community. Each year, the federal government distributes more than $675 billion to states and communities based on Census Bureau data. In 2020, new technology to make it easier than ever to respond to the census. For the first time, you will be able to respond online, by phone, as well as by mail. If you are interested in learning more about Census 2020, visit census.gov. Look for more information in future communications as to how you can support families to complete the Census and make sure your community is represented.

Finally, the new section in the PA Early Ed New, In Case You Missed It (below), provides helpful links to newsworthy information that may have been overlooked the first time around. Explore the links below to catch up, or just refresh your memory on recent info.
Early Education in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Expands Home Visiting Support 
The Wolf Administration recently announced that, under the guidance of the Department of Human Services (DHS), it is expanding home visiting supports to first-time mothers and mothers of children with additional risk factors . The expansion, made possible in collaboration with physical health Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs), will guarantee at least two home visits to new parents and families with children with additional risk factors across Pennsylvania, expanding access to evidence-based or evidence-informed models that promote and support healthy child and family development.

Since 2015, investments totaling nearly $16.5 million in state funds have helped increase the number of children and families who can receive home visiting supports in communities around Pennsylvania. Guaranteeing a minimum of two home visits to all first-time mothers and mothers of children with additional risk factors continues this work. Read more.
Pennsylvania's Efforts Highlighted in Addressing Families with Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
Pennsylvania's efforts addressing families with young children experiencing homelessness at the Building Early Links for Learning (BELL) Summit yielded a blog article, Supporting Young Children: Connecting Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing Programs to Early Care and Education, in the newsletter of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. The Summit brought together 300 participants from the housing and homelessness sector, early care and education systems, and other stakeholders. The BELL model is an example for other communities trying to address the challenge of collaborating and connecting resources to best meet the needs of young children experiencing homelessness. PA Head Start State Collaboration (HSSCO) Director, Tracy Duarte, acted as panel moderator and Karen Grimm-Thomas of OCDEL was a panel presenter on the ECE perspective.  Read the Summit report.
Spring 2020 Semester Applications Being Accepted for T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship
Early childhood education (ECE) professionals interested in attending college for the spring semester that begins in January should apply to T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) now!   T.E.A.C.H. applications must be complete and submitted with all required documentation/information by Friday, November 15, 2019 in order to be considered for the Spring 2020 semester. The Pennsylvania Child Care Association ( PACCA) will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis, however incomplete applications and applications received after this date will not receive priority for consideration. New scholarship awards for the Spring 2020 semester will be dependent upon funding availability at that time. 
 
Interested applicants should also begin the college admissions process now and contact an ECE advisor at their intended college/university.  This helps to ensure that scholarship applicants are admitted to their college/university and can register for courses if/when they receive a T.E.A.C.H. scholarship. T.E.A.C.H. can provide contact information for ECE advisors at partnering institutions if needed.  
 
To download a scholarship application, visit PACCA’s website . Questions? Contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor at 717-657-9000 or  teachinfo@pacca.org.  
New Document Release: Plans of Safe Care FAQ
A new document, Plans of Safe Care Frequently Asked Questions, provides clarity around the Plan of Safe Care, a document that lists and directs services and supports to provide for the safety and well-being of an infant affected by substance abuse, withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure, or a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). A Plan of Safe Care differs from other service plans in that it contains inclusion of services for both the affected infant and the family/caregiver, including substance use treatment services for the parent. 

On June 28, 2018, Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 54 of 2018 updating Pennsylvania law, to require health care professionals, including those involved in the delivery or care of an affected infant or encountering an infant up to age one outside a hospital setting, notify the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) so that a Plan of Safe Care can be developed. The FAQ is a follow up to the Governor’s Institute on Plans of Safe Care.

Plans of safe care go beyond the immediate safety factors of an infant and address their ongoing health, development and well-being as well as the treatment and other service needs of their family/caregiver. Plans of safe care may incorporate services and supports for diverse, longer-term needs, including physical and mental health, substance use treatment, parenting education, infant developmental screening and other family needs.
PA Pre-K Counts Class Featured in USDA Farm to School Program Grant
A Pennsylvania early child care program was featured in the USDA's Seven Ways Farm to School Can Make You ‘Cool’ article. PA Pre-K Counts students in the North Clarion County School District in Pennsylvania planted potatoes, corn, and butternut squash in their school garden before summer break. When they returned in September, their families joined them at a Fall Harvest Celebration to feast on the veggies they planted. The school district plans to integrate more student-grown foods into school lunches, thanks to a $100,000 implementation grant from the USDA Farm to School Program.
LICC Hosts Event to Engage Families and Caregivers
The Lancaster County Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) recently held an Early Intervention and Early Learning Resource fair for parents, caregivers and families. The Oct. 24 event brought together more than 35 community organizations to provide information on autism, speech and occupational therapy, mental health services, family support, early learning programs, and more. Guest speakers, Amy Fisher and Sadia Batool shared their respective journey's into Early Intervention and the lessons learned in becoming the best advocates for their children. 

The Pennsylvania Local Interagency Coordinating Councils (LICC) are groups that consist of representatives from families, county administration, Intermediate Units, school districts, Early Intervention providers, Head Start, service coordinators, health agencies, and other community organizations. While each LICC is different, each works toward the overall goal of enhancing local Early Intervention Supports and Services. For additional information about the LICC, contact Suzanne Pasquariello at spasq@pattankop.net.
Survey to Better Support Child Care Providers
How can Pennsylvania better support child care providers? Would you like to let policymakers know in a brief online survey?

Hundreds of child care providers have been selected at random by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania to take part in a study and receive a $25 Amazon gift card upon completion. This 30-minute survey asks providers about Keystone STARS, staffing and tuition costs, and other aspects of their service offerings. To see if your program was chosen, click here: PASurveyLookup. The survey will be available through the end of 2019.

Save the Date
Of Interest
LIHEAP Open for Applications for Heating Assistance
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will accept applications for its cash, crisis, and weatherization grants now through April, 10, 2020.
LIHEAP helps low income families pay heating bills in three ways:
  • Cash Grants: Assistance for heating bills ranges from $200 to $1,000
  • Crisis Grants: Up to $600 for families who have an emergency and are in danger of being without heat
  • Weatherization Grants: Help families insulate their houses and repair/replace heating systems to save money on heating

Families can apply for LIHEAP at the COMPASS website.  
Exploring the Early Language and Literacy Pyramid
Those who are working with children and would like resources to support their language and literacy development, then this session is for you! Participants will have the opportunity to explore the Early Language and Literacy Pyramid, full of online resources available to help address the needs of the children and families you serve. Bring your own device (BYOD) to dig in and play. Register at www.pattan.net. 

The following sessions are taking place: 
  • Nov. 13 - PaTTAN Harrisburg
  • Nov. 15 - NEIU 19
  • Dec. 4 - PaTTAN Pittsburgh
  • Dec. 5 - Riverview IU 6
  • Dec. 6 - PaTTAN East
Feedback Needed: Public Draft #2 of the Leveling of the Professional Standards and Competencies
Deadline Nov. 15, 2019
The Power to the Profession Task Force recommended that the 2010 NAEYC Standards for Initial and Advance Early Childhood Professional Preparation Programs be explicitly positioned as the foundation for the standards and competencies of the unified early childhood education profession, with the specific expectations for the revision of these standards. Since January 2018, a workgroup made up of practitioners and experts have been working to revise the standards in accordance with the recommendations of Power to the Profession.
  
Now known as the Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators, Public Draft #2 of the leveling of these standards is now available for comment. The leveling is intended to serve as a guide to the profession regarding expected mastery of the standards and competencies at the ECE I, II and III designations outlined in Decision Cycles 3,4,5 and 6 of Power to the Profession. All feedback on this draft is welcome to ensure that the final version is as strong as possible! Share your thoughts by Nov. 15, 2019.
Request for Information: Improving Access to Affordable, High Quality Child Care
Deadline Dec. 2, 2019
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is seeking input from the public and interested stakeholders on strategies to improve access to high-quality, affordable child care in the U.S.

ACF is seeking input from the public and interested stakeholders on strategies to improve access to high quality, affordable child care in the U.S. This Request for Information seeks
public comment on: Identifying emerging and innovative practices to improve access to high quality child care, as well as identifying regulatory and other policies that unnecessarily
drive up the cost of care or limit parents’ choice of different child care options; and identifying ways to improve funding of child care and other related early education programs to support quality and create a more streamlined, equitable, and sustainable financing framework for future generations. Information collected through this request may be used by ACF in the development of future rule making and technical assistance, formation of legislative proposals and research agendas, and/or strategic planning.   ACF will accept ideas and comments till December 2, 2019. See the  Request for Information  for instructions.  
Call for Proposals: 2020 Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth & Family Services Spring Conference
Submission deadline Nov. 12
The Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth & Family Services (PCCYFS) is seeking guest speakers and facilitators to host educational workshops providing information geared towards executive, administrative, clinical and direct practice professionals for the 2020 Spring Conference to be held April 1-2, 2020 in Harrisburg.

PCCYFS is a state leader in advocacy and resources that enhance the capacity of family service providers and juvenile justice programs to implement continuous quality improvements, which have been shown to positively impact the strength and independence of families, as well as improve the quality of life within their local communities. 

Please consider submitting a 90 minute or 3-hour intermediate or advanced workshop proposal that features a topic where attendees will not only learn and discuss important content relevant to current events, but also gain helpful tools, tips, insights and inspiration regarding their contributions towards a bright future of strong and thriving Pennsylvania families. Presentation proposals are due by Nov. 12. Contact Karen Seeber, Communications Director, at 717-651-1725 x150 or karens@pccyfs.org with questions. 
Survey to Collect Health-Related Information In Child Care Facilities
Pennsylvania child care directors are invited to participate in a survey to gather preliminary information on participant's knowledge and perceptions of primary prevention in child care settings. Penn State University is conducting the survey. The survey collects information about childhood and adult vaccinations, hand washing, and health-related policies and resources within a facility.  Click here to take the survey.

Participation in the survey is optional. The information provided during the survey is anonymous. Those who agree to participate, will be offered the chance to click on a separate link to provide information to receive an incentive and request information on the Get Smart program on antibiotic awareness. Ten participants will be selected at random to receive a $50 award and ten participants to receive a free children's book. The survey is open until Nov. 15, 2019.

Those with questions or concerns, should contact Dr. Kristin Sznajder at 717-531-0003 x285.
Survey to Collect Community Data on Well-Being of Young Children and Families
Survey closes Nov. 30, 2019
Families, child care providers and community members are invited to share their thoughts on the well-being of families of young children through a new survey from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia PolicyLab.

Every five years, states have the opportunity to learn about the well-being of families of young children in local communities. The 5-10 minute survey collects information about how easy it is to find and use services, and how these services are helpful for people who need them, like pregnancy and parenting supports, pre-K or toddler education, child care, children's health and dental services, and more.  The information learned from this survey will help understand the resources for families living in communities throughout Pennsylvania, and will be used statewide and locally to inform Family Support Services, like parenting classes and Home Visiting Services.

Participation in the survey is optional. Click here to take the brief survey .  Input can help identify and understand the factors that may affect well-being of young children and families in communities across Pennsylvania. The survey is also available in Spanish . Click here to share the English & Spanish one-page flyer with partners in your community. The survey will be available until Nov. 30, 2019.
Research and Reports
U.S. and the High Price of Child Care: An Examination of a Broken System
Child Care Aware of American has released their annual report, The U.S. and the High Price of Child Care: An Examination of a Broken System. The report contains a model of the child care ecosystem which emphasizes that unaffordable child care affects everyone, not just parents. Each section of the report represents a part of the child care ecosystem – children, families, providers, communities, government and private businesses. Also included is an updated interactive Price of Child Care Map; revised national figures for the price of child care, along with an explanation of the challenges inherent in calculating a national price of child care figure; and an updated map of millennial salary information and a new Appendix that compares average millennial income and child care prices in each state.

According to the report, in Pennsylvania, single parents pay 43.9% of their income for center-based infant child care. Married parents of two children living at the poverty line pay 84.1% of their household income for center-based child care. The average price of center-based infant child care in Pennsylvania is less than the average annual tuition and fees at a public four-year college or university. 
States’ Use of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Funding Increase
A new brief, States’ Use of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Funding Increase, from Child Trends finds that most states used, or plan to use, increased federal funding for a key early childhood education program—the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)—to raise pay for child care providers, serve more eligible children, and meet reauthorization requirements established in the 2014 reauthorization of the program. Interactive maps of data featured in the report provide a detailed look at how 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam have used or plan to use this increased federal funding aimed at expanding access to high-quality child care for low-income families. See Pennsylvania's information.
It Takes Data: Recruiting/Keeping a Quality ECE Workforce
Estimating public funding needed to recruit and retain a qualified early childhood education workforce is impossible without good and comprehensive data, write the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment and the Early Childhood Data Collaborative in a joint blog post, A Workforce Data Deficit Hinders Improved Preparation, Support, and Compensation of Early Childhood Educators. 

To overcome the “workforce data deficit, federal and state leaders can take steps to develop and strengthen existing workforce data collection,” according to the groups.
Self-Assessment Module Can Increase Farm to ECE Best Practices
Farm-to-ECE (early care and education) initiatives help ECE programs introduce children to fresh and local foods. In 2017, the WK Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) partnered with Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) to develop a Farm-to-ECE module and evaluate its effectiveness across nine states. Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin had ongoing state-specific Farm-to-ECE initiatives funded by WKKF. All states were given access to the Go NAPSACC Farm-to-ECE module. States then recruited ECE programs, introduced the module, and supported its use. Key findings from the nine states included: ECE programs repeating the farm to ECE self assessment had a 23% increase in percent of farm to ECE best practices being met, and the Go NAPSACC Farm to ECE module appears effective in improving ECE program’s practices that support children’s access to and appreciation for fresh and local foods. Read the Go NAPSACC Farm To ECE Results for more information. 
Responding to Adverse Childhood Experiences: Strategies for the Out-of-School Time Field
The practice bri ef, Responding to Adverse Childhood Experiences: Strategies for the Out-of-School Time Field , from National Center on Afterschool and Summer Enrichment ( NCASE) includes an overview of Adverse Childhood Experiences ( ACEs) mitigation and prevention strategies from a national perspective using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ACEs Connection information. In addition, it highlights specific state examples of legislation, policies, and practices that have been adopted. This brief is a follow up to the recent research brief from NCASE, Adverse Childhood Experiences and the School-Age Population . 
Resources
The Benefits of Family Mealtimes
Starting a simple habit with a young child, like regularly eating meals together, can have a life-long impact. A day beginning with breakfast and ending with dinner as a family is more than a benefit of sharing plates of food. It’s an opportunity to bond as a family, teach children table manners, share stories and experiences, and sample and learn about traditions, cultures and foods. But there are even greater benefits of family mealtimes. The November Featured Article from PA's Promise for Children has tips to make it easier to find a time to share meals with your family.
Help Families Prepare for Emergencies
To help prepare for emergencies, FEMA's Ready.gov website has available a New Ready Kids Website with a family communications plan ,  Pedro the Penguin , a webinar or PrepTalk, and more. Ready.gov/kids has how-to resources and games for all audiences, including young people, families, educators, and caregivers. 
SNAP-Ed Toolkit
Farm to early care and education  (farm to ECE)   is now included in the  SNAP-Ed Toolkit ! Learn more about farm to ECE  as a research-tested policy, systems and environmental change intervention strategy in the updated SNAP-Ed Toolkit intervention listing: Farm to Early Care and Education (National) .
New Interactive Safe Sleep Resource
This interactive E-handout from the National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ) helps health care professionals talk to families about safe sleep recommendations. The E-handout can be accessed on a phone, computer, or tablet. Families and health care professionals can sit together and click through the pages where they’ll find different sleep scenes and environments. A series of prompts and pop-ups show what is and is not safe and inspire learning conversations. Families can also access the handout at home and use it to teach their friends and families about safe sleep.
Leadership Resources
Being a good leader in Early Intervention goes beyond managing program and data. The Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) website features new resources on building leadership skills. Get info focused on being a mindful leader, strengths-based leadership, and servant leadership.
Revised Home Visitor's Handbook
The newly revised Home Visitor's Handbook from the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning provides focused information to support home visitors in their work with families. The handbook has been recently updated and contains background information on the history of home visiting and requirements outlined in the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) related to home visits and socializations. It also includes topics related to professional development and family engagement.
Oral Health In-Office Presentations
Healthy Teeth, Healthy Children, a PA medical/dental partnership offers free in-office presentations providing CME/CEU credits for Oral Health in Your Office and Oral Health in the Prenatal Office. Healthy Teeth, Healthy Children is a state-wide educational program focused on improving oral health care for children by providing education to primary care providers, facilitating medical-dental partnerships and enhancing oral health literacy for the community.
Safety in Early Care and Education 
Keeping young children safe is a priority for child care providers. But safety practices vary, depending on a child’s age and developmental stage. Keeping an infant safe can be very different than keeping a toddler safe.  Tips for Keeping Children Safe: A Developmental Guide from Child Care Aware is a tool that offers safety tips for early childhood staff working with young children in classroom environments.  
October Editions from Camille Catlett
The October edition of BabyTalk from Camille Catlett is available and features articles related to how toddler brains are wired to resist learning from screens, making your own local baby food, new evidence about letting babies sleep in a car seat, swing or bouncer, and more. The October of Natural Resources from Camille Catlett provides resources for supporting children who are born addicted. Get info on the opioid crisis, about young children who are exposed prenatally to substances, development consequences of fetal exposure to drugs and more. 
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