October 2018 edition
An inside look at Pennsylvania's early education system.
What's New for October
Exciting news for Pennsylvania's infant and toddler population from Governor Wolf's office--a newly formed Ready to Start task force aims to bring together a variety of partners throughout Pennsylvania to examine and make recommendations about what it will take to ensure the education and care for our youngest learners. Read the article below about Ready to Start.

There is still time to submit feedback on the recent RFI from DHS for programs supporting pathways to higher education for economically disadvantaged families. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of programs that work to address barriers for families and single parents, opportunities can be identified to further support them. Don't let the October 17 deadline slip by without providing your feedback. See below for more details.

Two recent recognition awards highlight the many years of staff commitment, experience and expertise available to aid families and their young children in Pennsylvania. Check out below those Certification and PaTTAN staff who recently celebrated significant milestones in their service. Congratulations to them all for their dedication.

The new report from Child Trends (below) highlights the increased need for high quality child care for infants and toddlers. The report focuses on the Philadelphia region, but as many families of infants and toddlers can attest, the need for high quality child care for infants and toddlers is not limited by geography.

Pennsylvania's Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) are making strides in communities throughout the commonwealth. Stronger ELRCs translate into better services to the youngest learners and their families, as well as the early learning professionals who teach and support them. Read below for some of the great progress being made.

Halloween season is approaching and this can be a scary time for young children who may have difficulty distinguishing between real and pretend. Check out the tips below from PA's Promise for Children on how to help young children when they're afraid.
Early Education in Pennsylvania
Governor Wolf Introduces “Ready to Start” Task Force to Focus on Needs of Youngest Pennsylvanians
On September 27, 2018, Governor Tom Wolf announced the creation of a “Ready to Start” task force focused on informing the strategy to address health, human services, and education policy for infants and toddlers ages zero to three. The Ready to Start Task Force will identify key themes and options informed by stakeholder engagement and analysis of current programming to inform future policy recommendations and an implementation plan with emphasis on three guiding principles:
  • Improving health outcomes of infants, toddlers, and their families;
  • Strengthening the home environment for infants, toddlers, and their families; and
  • Preparing infants and toddlers for future school success.

Following the creation and successful outcomes of Gov. Wolf’s Middle Class and School Safety task forces, which used a similar approach to engagement through regional listening sessions, the Ready to Start Task Force will host six sessions across Pennsylvania in October and November.

The intention of the listening sessions led by professionals with a focus on early learning and child development is to gather information and insight and to look at current and possible strategies to help the youngest Pennsylvanians . The Ready to Start Task Force builds on the significant progress that has been made under Governor Wolf’s leadership to advance education, health care, and human services programs that support Pennsylvania’s children, families, and communities. Read more.
Reminder: Provide Your Response on RFI for Programs Supporting Pathways to Higher Education for Economically Disadvantaged Families
The October 17 deadline is approaching to provide feedback on the Pennsylvania Department Human Services (DHS) Request for Information (RFI) to broaden the departments’ perspectives on models that support access to and engagement in postsecondary education, training, and family-sustaining employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged families. 

The department is seeking information about existing models, as well as local interest in developing programs, that help low-income families and single-parent households overcome barriers to post-secondary education and training.

Responses collected through the RFI will inform the department to consider a range of education and training opportunities for low-income individuals and families to ensure they are meeting the whole person’s needs and providing a strong foundation for long-term success in the workforce. This will broaden the departments awareness and understanding of multigenerational, comprehensive education and training opportunities that address barriers like housing, child care, and other needs. The department also hopes to gain an understanding of the local feasibility of a multi-generational program with comprehensive support services. 

Responses to the RFI are due by 5 p.m. on October 17, 2018.  Educational institutions, businesses, non-profits, local governments, and other interested stakeholders are welcome to submit a response.  Responses can be sent by email to RA-PWRFIComments@pa.gov . Responses should include Parent Pathway Model in the email subject line. For more information on the RFI, visit eMarketplace .
Announcement Clarifies Requirements to Meet the Child Protective Services Law
The PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning has released the Announcement C-18-01 which clarifies the requirements in 55 Pa. Code Chapters 3270.32, 3280.32 and 3290.32 to meet the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) requirements for current staff and new hires in child care facilities.

This announcement was originally issued on January 23, 2017 and is being reissued for three primary purposes.
First, the Department of Human Services (DHS)wishes to clarify the frequency with which all criminal clearances must be updated to ensure that providers conform to CPSL and the Department's regulatory requirements.
The second purpose is to provide notice that the provider of fingerprinting services has changed from Cogent to IDEMIA/ldentoGO.
The third purpose is to clarify that the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBl) clearance can never be used as a substitute for the DHS FBI clearance, which is discussed more fully herein. As well, the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) FBI check can never be used as a substitute for the DHS FBI clearance. As such, the only acceptable FBI clearance is the DHS FBI clearance complete with the rap sheet, when applicable.
Please see the Announcement for additional details. After reading the Announcement, child care providers must:
 
  1. Make sure staff understand the steps they must take to obtain the required clearances.
  2. Establish a tracking system for staff clearance expiration dates and determine which, if any, staff persons will be-required to obtain additional or updated clearances.
  3. Review the staff files to ensure compliance with CPSL and the Department's own regulatory requirements.
Certification Staff Receive Recognition Years of Services Awards
Congratulations to the OCDEL Certification staff who were recognized at the September 12, 2018 Certification Recognition Years of Service Awards Ceremony. Each day certification reps are out in communities throughout Pennsylvania, working with child care providers toward OCDEL’s goal of providing quality early education to Pennsylvania’s young children and their families. Through yearly inspections, monitoring, and investigations, the Bureau of Certification Services works to ensure that all child care facilities are meeting the Commonwealth’s regulations and providing safe and healthy environments to the children who are receiving early care and education. See the recipients .
PaTTAN Staff Achieves Milestones
Five staff from the OCDEL Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Supports' PA Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) who recently celebrated significant milestones. James Monte (15 years), Heidi Wettlaufer (20 years) and with 25 years Debra Stewart (Daulton), DeVoka J. Gordon and Mary Anketell (shown right with OCDEL Deputy Secretary, Suzann Morris). Working with the Bureau of Special Education (BSE), Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), PaTTAN provides a full array of professional development and technical assistance targeted to improving student results. 
News from the Early Learning Resource Centers
Statewide: Congratulations to the Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) who succeeded a first big test – processing provider invoices for subsidized child care payments for the July service month. July 2018 was the first payment cycle ELRCs, as new grantees, were responsible for covering. They did so with a high degree of success and with few issues. This is especially noteworthy because this was done at the same time they were collecting updated paperwork (provider agreements) and payment rate information from 100% of providers participating in the subsidy program.  

Regions 1 & 2: Erie, Meadville, Smethport, and Dubois were the locations picked for the three planning activities for developing a Shared Service Alliance in ELRC Regions 1 & 2. Meetings have included highlighting the needs and resources, providers sharing experiences and ideas that are working for them, and various shared service alliance models.

Region 3: ELRC Region 3 recently hosted the kick-off meeting for Midwestern Intermediate Unit (MIU) IV's Shared Services Pilot Project. MIU IV was one of four grantees across the Commonwealth awarded the opportunity to develop a shared service model with early childhood providers. 

Region 5: The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh/Region 5 welcomed the addition of an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant to the Professional Development and Technical Assistance team which will address the request of early learning professionals for more assistance with children exhibiting challenging behaviors and other social emotional needs. The addition of the new consultant is in partnership with the current ECMHC team and helps serve the 11 county region of Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland.  

Region 19: ELRC Region 19 Family Engagement Specialist Beth Farrell recently met with community partner, the Chester County Health Department, and approximately 30 of their Personal Health Services staff, including nurse home visitors to pregnant and parenting families and clinic staff who frequently serve young families. This meeting helped ensure each partner has up-to-date information to share regarding the services provided by the ELRC in Chester County. 

Find an ELRC in your region at www.raiseyourstar.org .
Save the Dates
Pennsylvania's PD Registry: Things To Know and Do
Attention early learning professionals: There's still time to enter to win!

Since August 2018, over 10,000 new users have created a new account in the PD Registry! Complete your profile in the PD Registry and you will be automatically entered into a random drawing to win a new Apple iPad! Two winners will be notified by November 15, 2018. Contest ends on October 31, 2018.

How to enter:

  1. If you have already completed your profile, then congratulations, you are already entered in the contest.
  2. If you have not completed your profile, here are the steps to do so and get entered:
  • Login to your PD Registry account at www.papdregistry.com.
  • Complete the Personal Information tab.
  • Complete the Employment tab.
  • Complete the Education tab by uploading important documents such as diplomas, transcripts, and certificates.

The PD Registry team does not need official copies of college transcripts. (High School diplomas do not need to be uploaded.) Make sure any scans or photos that are uploaded are readable. Please do not mail documents; the Registry team does not accept paper copies. Email registry@pakeys.org or call 1-800-284-6031 with any questions.
Of Interest
Keeping Staff and Children Healthy During Flu Season
It's almost that time of year again--influenza, or flu, season. The Early Childhood Education Linkage System (ECELS) shares information on keeping staff, children and their families healthy during the flu season.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly recommends annual influenza immunization for everyone age 6 months and older. Infants less than 6 months of age are too young to receive influenza vaccine. It is especially important for everyone who comes in contact with infants to get flu vaccine. This will help protect babies from exposure to the virus. The vaccine helps reduce serious illness and death that occur every year from influenza. For the 2018-19 flu season, the AAP recommends that children should get the injectable, not the nasal mist form of flu vaccine.

The Promote full participation in this year's immunization effort for children and staff in your early care and education program:
  • Identify a Flu Vaccine Champion in your program. This staff member can promote the importance of vaccination for children, staff and family members. Documenting children and staff that are vaccinated can be important in the event of an outbreak. Consider providing incentives such as a $5 gift card for staff who get flu vaccine.
  • Offer help if needed to find a convenient location to get the vaccine. Use the Flu Vaccine Finder.
  • Use the posters, information sheets and other tools on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  See the specific resources for schools and child care.
PA School Age Professional Credential 2018
The Pennsylvania School-Age (SAC) Professional Credential is offered online and is accessible to all school-age providers throughout Pennsylvania. The SAC Credential is a competency based program modeled after the Child Development Associate (CDA). It provides individuals working in school-age programs the opportunity to examine their work in relation to the Pennsylvania School-Age Care Competency Standards and to:  
  • Get feedback and support from people who have experience working with school-age children and knowledge about school-age services.
  • Improve his/her knowledge and skills in ways that are satisfying for themselves and beneficial for children.
  • Earn a professional credential that is recognized throughout the Pennsylvania and Keystone STARS Continuous Quality Improvement System.

The SAC credential is open to individuals who have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED and have worked at least 480 hours with school-age children in the past five years. See the flyer for more information.
Learning community applications open for Pediatrics Supporting Parents 
Application deadline October 31
This initiative of Pediatrics Supporting Parents has the ambitious long-term goal of improving pediatric primary care to foster social and emotional development in the same way that it focuses on physical health and cognitive development. Selected family and pediatric practices will take part in a 17-month learning community launching January 2019. Pediatrics Supporting Parents' ultimate vision is to help ensure that all children from birth to age 3 receive the supports they need to achieve kindergarten readiness and positive life outcomes.

By joining this initiative, practices will become part of a national learning community, collaborating with colleagues across the country. All participating practices will receive a stipend to support their involvement in this learning community. Participants will also be eligible for the Improving Professional Practice and Quality Improvement of Maintenance of Certification (MOC) through the American Board of Pediatrics.

Who should apply: Family and pediatric practices that see children from birth to age 3 for well-child visits. Click here for more info.
NFSN Farm to School Mentor Program
The National Farm to School Network (NFSN) has launched a new  Partner to Partner Mentor Program , giving NFSN Core and Supporting Partners, their networks, and NFSN Members an opportunity to more closely connect and learn from one another.  Five NFSN Partners  have been selected to be mentors on topics including:
  • racial and social equity,
  • farm to early care and education,
  • farm to school in Native Communities,
  • evaluation,
  • conference and event planning,
  • and more.
Time slots for one-on-one sessions with these mentors are now open and available for sign-ups.

This is a great opportunity for farm to school stakeholders to connect with experienced practitioners on topics you’re looking to get started with or dig deeper into. Take advantage of these one-on-one conversation with your farm to school team or as an individual practitioner. Mentor sessions are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.  Learn more and sign up for a session here .
Child Care Aware Infant-Toddler Evacuation Feedback Survey
Deadline November 30
Child Care Aware® of America is asking for feedback from child care providers on the topic of evacuating with infants and toddlers. The survey collects information about types of evacuations during emergencies, what worked well and what were challenges, what would be done differently in the future, and other experiences. Information gained through the survey will be used to create a leading practices resource document that will be available for child care providers. The survey will close on November 30, 2018.  Click here to take the survey.
Light's On Afterschool: October 25
Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year. The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things—such as science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do and poetry—and discover new skills.

Afterschool and summer learning programs are leaders in supporting health and wellness. That's why health and wellness is one of the main themes for Lights On Afterschool, October 25, 2018. There are tons of fun, easy ways to celebrate health and wellness at events: invite families for a healthy meal, get physically active to celebrate Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play, or host a fun run or walk-a-thon. Access other resources to get started and plan an event. 
Earn a Certificate in Instruction for Social-Emotional and Character Development
Register now for one of the two-day trainings hosted by Center for the Promotion of Social and Emotional Learning (CPSEL) in partnership with Rutgers Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab. The training – comprised of course 101 and 102 – can lead to a certificate in instruction for social-emotional learning and character development (SECD). These non-credit courses are appropriate for educational staff, school mental health professionals and those working in afterschool programs. Upon successful completion of the two-day training, participants will have the option to complete an online, 18-week practicum to earn the SECD certificate. Continuing education credits will be provided.
Latest on Social Media
Check out these recent highlights featured on social media.

Facebook:

Twitter:
Research and Reports
The Status of Infants and Toddlers in Philadelphia
A new Child Trends report, The Status of Infants and Toddlers in Philadelphia, finds that nearly one-third (32 percent) of the city's infants and toddlers live in poverty, even as 71.7 percent of parents of infants and toddlers work. Poverty is perhaps the single greatest risk to children’s development. The paper examines other indicators of infant and toddler well-being in Philadelphia, including ways Philadelphia has successfully supported this age group.

A key finding from the report is that to promote early learning and meet the needs of working parents, the number of affordable, high-quality early care and education programs in Philadelphia has increased over the last several years. However, since 2014, the focus has largely been on increasing available resources for preschool-aged children; infants and toddlers have more limited options. 
The Younger the Child, the Lower the Pay for Early Educators
The Center for the Study of Child Care Employment recently released a new infographic based on their 2018 Early Childhood Workforce Index. The Younger the Child, the Lower the Pay for Early Educators shows that among the already poorly paid early childhood workforce, infant and toddler teachers, who work with children during the years of greatest brain development, earn the least.
Preschoolers Learn Math Skills with Blocks and Patterns
Something as simple as a stack of blocks can get preschoolers on the path to learn mathematical concepts. A study, The roles of patterning and spatial skills in early mathematics development, published in the Early Childhood Research Quarterly shows that patterning and spatial activities like playing with blocks are simple yet powerful activities through which preschoolers develop early math skills. “Because repeating patterning tasks do not require prior number knowledge, even preschool children can deduce underlying rules in the patterns,” says study author Erica Zippert. “Developing such skills with repeating patterns at a young age may support their noticing and use of patterns and rules in numbers as they acquire basic numeracy knowledge.”

The PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has several resources that provide early learning activities to help children birth to kindergarten learn concepts like math, science, and more. Check out the resources like Learning is Everywhere , Recipes for Readiness, and Kindergarten, Here I Come. There's even a book list from PA's Promise for Children to encourage math skills in young children.
Baby Talk = Greater Language Skills?
Using the proper word for an item, like rabbit instead of bunny, helps children develop greater language skill, right? Not so fast says the study, Why Choo-Choo is Better Than Train: The Role of Register-Specific Words in Early Vocabulary Growth, published in Cognitive Science. Assessments of nine-month-old children suggest that those who hear words such as bunny or choo-choo more frequently are faster at picking up new words between nine and 21 months. Researchers say these findings suggest some types of baby talk words – more than other words – can help infants develop their vocabulary more quickly. The key may be in the use of words which demonstrate onomatopoeia, diminutives, and reduplication.
Emerging Strategies to Support Farm to ECE in Pennsylvania
The newly released report, Ready Set Grow: Emerging Strategies to Support Farm to Early Care and Education in Pennsylvania from The Food Trust shares the story of farm to early childhood education (ECE), showcases providers who are adopting farm to ECE practices across the commonwealth and demonstrates why access to good food and high-quality learning environments are critical for every child in Pennsylvania. The report reflects the contribution of nearly 200 individuals who participated to the report through participation in the task force, farm to ECE committees, phone calls and meetings. Moving forward, Pennsylvania Head Start Association (PHSA) will be taking the lead in continuing the statewide task force while The Food Trust will take the lead on developing regional Communities of Practice.
Resources
When Frightful Isn't Delightful
It's the season for ghosts, goblins and scary things—especially for young children. Even if a family does not participate in Halloween activities, there are displays at stores, schools or activity centers. PA's Promise for Children has some ideas to help you help young children understand and cope with some of the scary sights of the season. There's also a book list of children's books about being afraid.
ENewsletters Support Families As Their Child's First Teacher
A recent study by Child Trends shows that families turn to the internet when faced with questions about their child's development. But did you know there are enewsletters targeted specifically for Pennsylvania families to provide information about their child's development, ways they can help their child learn and other important resources families need to know? PA's Promise for Children offers three monthly enewletters for families.
  • Learning is Everywhere based on the Learning is Everywhere calendar with resources, and activity & book recommendations for children from birth to age five.
  • Kindergarten Here I Come based on the Kindergarten Here I Come Activity Guide with resources, and activity & book recommendations for preschool-aged children.
  • Kindergarten Here I Am based on the Kindergarten Here I Am Activity Guide with resources, and activity & book recommendations for kindergartners.

All suggested activities within the materials and enewsletters align with the PA Early Learning Standards. Subscribing to the enewsletters is easy and free. They're also great for professionals, so tell your families and sign up today.
Parents as Teachers Newsletter
The August 2018 edition of the Parents as Teachers newsletter shares information about play and the protective factors, the importance of play between parents and children, and more. 
How Safe Sleep Savvy Are You? Quiz
National Institute for Children's Health Quality's (NICHQ) safe sleep video quiz, How Safe Sleep Savvy Are You?, is a teaching tool to address confusion related to safe sleep practices for infants and save babies. The video it is appropriate to educate early learning staff and families on safe sleep practices.
Home Visiting: Improving Children’s and Families’ Well-Being
A new LegisBrief from the National Conference of State Legislators makes it clear that federal and state spending on home visiting programs is a good investment. Home Visiting: Improving Children’s and Families’ Well-Being discusses the latest research on the benefits of home visiting, including return on investment, and summarizes how different states are expanding access to quality home visiting.
Milestones in Action Online Resource Library in Spanish
The Learn the Signs. Act Early. initiative from the CDC has launched a Spanish version of the Milestones in Action library. This resource was created to help parents, early care and education providers, and healthcare professionals to identify developmental milestones in very young children and areas of concern. No permissions are needed to use the photos and images in this library for educational or awareness-building purposes. Click here for the English version.
September Edition Of Baby Talk
The September edition of Baby Talk by Camille Catlett is now available. This edition has information on how much learning and development takes place in the 12 months of a 2-year-old, how singing to babies can be a powerful way to learn and connect, and more. 
Did you receive this from a friend? 
Click here  to subscribe and get the PA Early Ed News directly to your email.
The PA Early Ed News is a project of the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning, and the PA Departments of Education and Human Services to inform early learning professionals, the early childhood community, policymakers, community leaders and the public on developments in early childhood education and care in Pennsylvania.

Find more information about Quality Early Learning in Pennsylvania 

Please share this email with friends, family and colleagues.