The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development and Bureau of Certification have released the Announcement C-21-07: COVID-19 Policy Updates. The purpose of this Announcement is to communicate the release of an Order of the Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Directing Face Coverings in School Entities (Order) and expectations for compliance by certified child care facilities as well as provide clarification of ongoing reporting requirements related to COVID-19. The Order applies to all child care providers licensed by the Department of Human Services.

This announcement replaces announcement C-21-04 Best Practices for Child Care Facilities Operating During the Novel Coronavirus in its entirety.

The Acting Secretary of Health’s Order will be effective Sept. 7, 2021. School entities should comply with the Order on or before that date. Effective Sept. 7, 2021, child care certification representatives (reps) conducting inspections or complaint investigations will cite child care facilities operating out of compliance with the Order. The citations for non-compliance with the Order will be issued under 55 Pa. Code §3270.14, 3270.21, §3280.14, 3280.20, and §3290.18, all pertaining to compliance with “pertinent laws and regulations” and “general health and safety.” 

For additional details, please see the Announcement C-21-07: COVID-19 Policy Updates or visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education's website.

Eligibility for the Stabilization Grants has been established in ARPA, by the federal Office of Child Care (OCC) and Pennsylvania’s 2021-22 Fiscal Code (HB 1348). To qualify, certified child care providers must:

Important update to eligibility requirements: Due to recent guidance provided to Pennsylvania by the Federal Office of Child Care (OCC), at the time of application providers under investigation or convicted of welfare fraud are not eligible for ARPA stabilization grants.

Note: Some relative Child Care Works (CCW) providers may also be eligible for an ARPA Stabilization Grant. Information about the relative provider eligibility and application process will be shared directly with those providers.

On Aug. 18, 2021, OCDEL issued communications on creating an account and claiming your organization in the PD Registry. Having an organization claimed in the PD Registry is a requirement for eligible providers to apply for a stabilization grant. If you missed that communication, you can access it here.

Send questions about creating an account and claiming your organization in the PD Registry to registry@pakeys.org. Please include your program’s MPI number.

Send questions about eligibility for the Stabilization Grant to your ELRC (find your ELRC)

See past and upcoming Announcements regarding OCDEL ARPA Stabilization Grants here.

The Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan provides the largest Child Tax Credit ever and historic relief to the most working families ever – and as of July 15, 2021, most families are automatically receiving monthly payments of $250 or $300 per child without having to take any action. The Child Tax Credit will help all families succeed.

The American Rescue Plan increased the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children over the age of six and from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under the age of six, and raised the age limit from 16 to 17. All working families will get the full credit if they make up to $150,000 for a couple or $112,500 for a family with a single parent (also called Head of Household).

Families with children who meet income guidelines are eligible for this crucial tax relief, including those who have not made enough money to be required to file taxes, but many are unaware that they are eligible. You can help promote the Child Tax Credit to increase awareness of the effort and to help more families sign up. Click to view and print the flyer in English or Spanish to share with families, staff and partners. You can also view and print the flyer, Major Tax Relief For Working Families.

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is seeking members for the Pennsylvania Early Learning Council (ELC) Executive and Subcommittees. Established by Executive Order in 2008, ELC is a Governor appointed council that advises the work of OCDEL by providing feedback on current and proposed OCDEL initiatives and policies. Applications, including a resume/vita with contact information,  will be received until 5 pm on Sept. 30, 2021. Click here to learn more about the work of the ELC, its member’s responsibilities and how to apply. All questions may be directed to Karen Grimm-Thomas, OCDEL Director of External Relations at c-kgrimmth@pa.gov.

With colleges and universities back in session, individuals interested in the field of early childhood education have new resources to help them learn about and navigate higher education. The latest Special Edition release of The Buzz on PD in PA provides information about Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) that includes how to find your Professional Development Organization (PDO), Pennsylvania's IHE webpage, Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators (PA PSCECE) and 2020 IHE OCDEL Initiatives. Check out the Special Edition, then subscribe to get the next release in your inbox.

Next time you're on the go, listen to one of EITA's podcasts! Download the first episode in the new leadership podcast series, "Leading from the Floor: An Early Intervention Podcast," which focuses on self-care, staff morale, and supporting children and families through transition. Find it today on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher, and listen and learn while you drive, run between meetings, or even clean. Not familiar with podcasting apps? Check out the new Podcast page of the EITA Portal to listen to "Leading from the Floor" and more! There are several podcasts available, including topics related to leadership, mindfulness, and even a podcast specific for families.

More than 1,000 Act 48 or PQAS hour certificates were issued to Pennsylvania Early Intervention and early childhood education staff during a recent training series, The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old –Zero to Three. The web-based training, presented by Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) Consultants certified in The Growing Brain Curriculum: From Birth to 5 Years Old, provided evidence-informed strategies to prepare early childhood providers for their vital role in building healthy brains. The curriculum fills a unique niche by providing a comprehensive understanding of how the brain develops, along with ways the provider can encourage healthy brain development in children from birth to 5 years old. See additional details about the training.

The deadline to participate in the ARTIC Survey has been extended to Sept. 14, 2021. Administrators or Supervisors who provide supervision to early childhood professionals, working with or supporting children ages 0 through 8 and their families, can participate in the Attitudes Towards Trauma-Informed Care (ARTIC) Survey. The ARTIC Survey is a three-year project that will help guide statewide decision making around workforce development and early childhood mental health resources on trauma-informed care. Twice a year, participants will take a 15-35 minute online ARTIC Survey and provide confidential input about how they view and experience the availability of knowledge, support, and other resources for the practice of trauma-informed care as it is integrated into the early childhood system. For more information, including how to register, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.

2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs as of Aug. 25, 2021. Updated information includes:

For complete information and the most up to date information, please visit the CDC website.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation is seeking nominations and applications for the twelfth class of its signature Children and Family Fellowship® — an intensive executive leadership program, designed to give more child- and family-serving professionals the confidence and competence to lead major system reforms and community change initiatives that get equitable results. 

Well-child visits and recommended vaccinations are essential, ensuring children stay healthy and are protected from preventable diseases and illnesses such as measles, whooping cough, and seasonal flu. But, as the COVID-19 pandemic persists, data shows that fewer childhood vaccinations have been given and many children have fallen behind on their scheduled appointments.

According to a 2021 modeling study published in the Lancet Report, approximately 17 million children missed their vaccines during 2020. In response, continued coordinated efforts between healthcare providers and public health officials at the local, state, and federal levels will be key to achieving rapid catch-up vaccination. The article from the National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ) shares information on ways to encourage and support families to get their children caught up on missed appointments and recommended vaccinations.

Early versions of COVID-19 largely spared children but the delta variant proved to be much less discriminating, and has led to more child hospitalizations. Now, health care workers on the front lines say there is another frightening prospect looming: a surge in children diagnosed with a combination of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus. Read more in the article from National Public Radio.

NIEER has released initial findings from its study, The Pandemic’s Impact on Young Children and Their Parents, based on a spring 2021 preschool learning activities survey and two previous surveys NIEER conducted in 2020.

The report shows that parental supports for early learning—especially parent-child reading 3 or more times per week—continued to decline and that rates of serious social-emotional problems continued to rise. On the upside, identification of needs and the provision of services for young children with disabilities appears to have improved after an earlier decline. Most parents reported that they likely would send their child to an in-person preschool or kindergarten for the fall despite concerns about COVID-19. More than 80% indicated they would likely take advantage of a free universal pre-K program if it became available in the fall.

The National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers published a new resource on how states and localities can use the nearly 30 federal relief funds to support the well-being of infants, toddlers, and families. Supporting Prenatal-to-Three with Federal Relief Funds includes strategies to expand, improve, and make more accessible early care and education, family support, and maternal and infant/toddler health services.

Farm to Early Care and Education has gained traction in recent years, but keeping up with the ever-evolving ECE landscape, acronyms, systems and supports can be challenging. This fact sheet from the Pennsylvania Farm to School Network gives a snapshot of what ECE looks like in Pennsylvania and where there is traction and opportunity and resources for farm to ECE incorporation.

Children, staff, and families alike may all struggle with the "back to school blues." Visit the Professionals page at the Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) website and download the new list of resources to support young children in returning to school. There are videos, scripted strategies, and more that families and professionals can use to make the return to school easier on everyone, even the youngest learners. 

A new resource, the Virtual Resource Fair, from the Lancaster Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) provides a virtual connections with families and service providers to learn about community resources representing disability services, health and wellness, education, behavioral health, recreational activities, crisis intervention, kids’ activities, community/social services and more! Visit the Virtual Resource Fair to check out the videos, access the flyers and brochures, link to web sites and more, or see the flyer for more info.

THE CONVERSATION / LA CONVERSACIÓN expands to address questions about the COVID-19 vaccines and children with new FAQ videos featuring pediatricians. This installment of the campaign is produced by KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) under its Greater Than COVID public information response and is presented with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Vaccine safety, efficacy and potential side effects, as well as the need for vaccinations among children, are among issues highlighted in the new FAQ video series, which addresses both the currently available COVID vaccine for 12 and older as well as status of vaccines for younger children. Comedian and parent, W. Kamau Bell appears in an anchor video in conversation with pediatricians about some of the most common questions asked by parents and caregivers in KFF research.

THE CONVERSATION / LA CONVERSACIÓN offers an expansive, living video library featuring doctors, nurses, researchers and community health workers dispelling myths and providing credible facts about the COVID-19 vaccines. All content is available rights-free and designed to be shared on social media and can be easily embedded on websites. A community toolkit provides additional graphics and promotions to extend reach of the messaging.

Executive function and self-regulation (EF/SR) skills provide critical supports for learning and development, and while we aren’t born with these skills, we are born with the potential to develop them through interactions and practice. The 16-page guide, Activities Guide: Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence, from the Center on the Developing Child, describes a variety of activities and games that represent age-appropriate ways for adults to support and strengthen various components of EF/SR in children. Each chapter of the guide contains activities suitable for a different age group, from infants to teenagers. The guide may be read in its entirety (which includes the introduction and references) or in discrete sections geared to specific age groups.

The Compost Guide for Educators from Kids Gardening and Subpod is a 66 page e-book and lesson guide to help teach students about food waste, the benefits of composting and how to grow food – all while teaching them how these help our planet. "Compost Guide for Educators" is a lesson guide with three key chapters that will fit right into a curriculum to give students the best in compost and food waste education!

National Preparedness Month is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2021 theme is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.” Each week, the campaign will focus on a different aspect of preparedness for individuals, families and communities. Child Care Aware of America's Emergency Preparedness resources, such as the emergency kit and emergency plans, can be helpful as families and early childhood education programs assess readiness throughout the month.

A printable counting page for children, Count the Harvest, from the National CACFP Association, combines counting and vegetables.

Schools, Out of School Time (OST) providers, and other practitioners tasked with developing children’s social and emotional skills have a new resource for looking inside 33 social emotional learning (SEL) programs. This revised and expanded second edition to a highly popular 2017 guide, Navigating Social and Emotional Learning from the Inside Out, highlights evidence-based program models that can help educators integrate SEL into school and OST program culture and build students’ skills. Updates include the addition of PreK programs, detailed chapters on how to achieve an equitable and trauma-informed approach to SEL, and a new supplement to guide users in selecting the right SEL program for their goals. The guide was written by Stephanie Jones, an associate professor in human development and urban education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a team of Harvard researchers, with generous support from the Wallace Foundation.

This month, Pennsylvania's Promise for Children is exploring healthy foods through the Pennsylvania Harvest of the Month program. September’s featured item for PA Harvest of the Month is pepper. Visit the PA's Promise for Children website for links to early childhood education resources, food security resources for families, and recipes.

The August resources from Camille Catlett are now available. The August edition of Baby Talk features information on praise that pulls for a child’s growth and development, foreign language lullabies help babies relax too, and more. The August edition of Natural Resources contains information on what we teach about race and gender: representation in images and text of children’s books, choosing and using books to discuss race and equity, and more.