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The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning supports families and their children from prenatal through school age by using data, research and stakeholder guidance to assure high quality services.
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Action Required: Pennsylvania Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program Request for Applications Announced
Letters of Intent due April 21, 2017
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), is releasing a competitive Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program (HSSAP) Request for Application (RFA). This RFA process is a full competitive rebid for HSSAP funding, and will include the Governor's proposed $10M in expansion funds. OCDEL encourages all eligible Head Start providers to apply.
Current HSSAP grantees MUST re-apply as part of this full competitive rebid process. Failure to reapply for funding will result in the re-appropriation of funds to those who have applied and been selected to receive funds.
HSSAP provides children with the opportunity to experience a high quality pre-kindergarten program. The program standards will ensure a high return on the investment in the preparation of young children for school and will help to close the achievement gap. Early education through Head Start can open the doors of opportunity for every child to do well in school, in the workforce, and in life. Applicants may submit funding proposals aligned with the program models outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards 1302 Part B.
PDE is issuing this Request for Applications now in order to support providers in preparing to serve children and to assist in being ready for enrollment by September. We recognize that providers need to conduct outreach to families; recruit, hire and train staff; and do all of the planning necessary to successfully implement the program pending approval of proposed funding.
This competitive opportunity will select eligible grantees for a five-year grant period beginning this year. The following entities are eligible to apply in the competitive process for FY 2017-18:
- Head Start grantees
- Early Head Start grantees
Please visit the PA Key website for additional details, including Program Requirements, Letters of Intent, Pre-Application webinar, and important requirements for application.
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Public Comments Requested on OCDEL Draft Announcements
Comment deadline April 28, 2017
The PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) recently released two draft announcements aimed at increasing inclusion, and reducing suspension and expulsion in early learning settings.
Reduction of Expulsion and Suspension in Early Childhood Programs in Pennsylvania
reflects OCDEL's response to the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education (ED) released policy statement recommending that states develop policies and practices to significantly limit the practice of expulsion and suspension of young children due to challenging behaviors in all early childhood programs.
Inclusion of All Children in Early Childhood Programs in Pennsylvania
reflects OCDEL's response to the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education (ED) released policy statement recommending that states develop policies and practices to increase the inclusion of infants, toddlers, and preschool children with disabilities in high-quality early childhood programs.
The deadline to submit comments is April 28, 2017.
Read the policy statements and how to submit comments on the PA Key website.
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Mini-grants available to higher ed to align coursework addressing needs of infants and toddlers
Applications due April 14
The Pennsylvania Key on behalf of OCDEL is offering Institutions of Higher Education the opportunity to apply for mini-grants to align courses for early learning professionals working with infants and toddlers to Pennsylvania's Core Knowledge Competencies.
Institutes may apply for up to $15,000 to complete this work. Eligible applicants include accredited institutions of higher education that offer infant/ toddler specific coursework. Institutions of Higher Education with Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development and or ECE Equivalent programs of study at the associate, baccalaureate or graduate levels and certificate programs.
Applications are due April 14, 2017.
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Subcommittee Hearing on the Reauthorization of the MIECHV Program
Comments due March 29, 2017
House Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled Reauthorization of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program on March 15 in Washington, DC. This hearing will examine a range of home visiting models, review how states operate and fund programs, and highlight how an evidence-based home visiting program can produce positive outcomes for children and families.
In view of the limited time to hear witnesses, oral testimony at this hearing will be from invited
witnesses only. However, any individual or organization may submit a written statement for
consideration by the Committee and for inclusion in the printed record of the hearing.
In Pennsylvania, the federal MIECHV, program provides the state the opportunity to offer evidence-based home visiting services to additional at-risk children and families. These programs include Early Head Start Home Visiting, Healthy Families America, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. The funding also allows the commonwealth to build the infrastructure to support a unified home visiting system, including delivering a professional development to promote the advancement of the home visiting workforce.
Any person(s) and/or organization(s) wishing to submit written comments for the hearing record must follow the appropriate link on the hearing page of the Committee website and complete the informational forms. Comments are due by the close of business on Wednesday, March 29, 2017.
For more information, see the announcement released by the Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee. |
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Reminder to child care staff: Meet new health & safety training requirements by September 2017
Free online training available for 9 of 10 required topics
One new requirement of the federal Child Care Development Block Grant is for all child care directors and staff to complete training on 10 health and safety topics by September 30, 2017. Please see OCDEL's Announcement for more information.
In order to meet the new requirements:
- Take a free, six-hour "Health & Safety Basics: Requirements for Certification" course online through Better Kid Care or in person through their Regional Key or Provide transcript of courses you've taken that meet the requirements
AND
- Must take face-to-face Pediatric First Aid and CPR training.
Child care certification representatives are checking professional development records for these topics as part of inspections and new providers must complete pre-service training on the 10 topics before submitting an application.
Visit the PA Key website or contact your Regional Certification Office for more details.
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New Address for OCDEL Central Region
OCDEL's Central Region, Bureau of Certification office has moved. Please note the new address, effective immediately.
Central Region OCDEL
P. O. Box 2675
Forum Place, 6th floor
Harrisburg, PA 17105
717-772-7078
800-222-2117
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The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) provides families access to high quality services to prepare children for school and life success.
Find more information about Quality Early Learning in Pennsylvania
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The Pennsylvania Early Childhood Education News is a project of the Pennsylvania Build Initiative and the Pennsylvania 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.
Please feel free to forward this email to friends, family, and colleagues.
You may access archived copies at
the
PA Key website
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