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The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is pleased to offer an opportunity for Pennsylvania licensed Child Care providers, Head Start/Early Head Start and PA Pre-K Counts programs to participate in the University of Pittsburgh’s Infant Mental Health professional development certificate at no cost through a pilot program offering scholarships to professionals serving children and families in prenatal, infant, toddler and preschool programs.
OCDEL recognizes the challenges faced by providers across the Commonwealth in supporting the mental health and well-being of children and families in their early years, the critical role of the Early Learning professionals in a family’s supportive community has only been amplified in recent years. Traditionally, this course has been provided to Infant/ Toddler Early Intervention, OCDEL-funded Home Visitors, Infant Early Childhood Mental Health, and Rapid Response team members. The opportunity to extend this course to providers is a result of ongoing discussions and evaluation of requests for Professional Development from the field.
OCDEL believes that the early childhood system is most impactful when our collaborative work is relationship-based, culturally sensitive, grounded in an understanding of developmental theory, research, and supported by reflective practice. OCDEL values the impact that our early childhood education professionals have on mental health and wellness of the families and young children in their care. This opportunity seeks to continue building the capacity of Early Learning professionals to partner with others and better support families in the Commonwealth.
Interested professionals are invited to apply for sponsorship through The Pennsylvania Key, on behalf of the Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development, OCDEL. Application for 2025 Infant Mental Health (IMH) Certificate & Learning Circle - Scholarship opens October 16, 2024, and closes on November 15, 2024.
Learn more about this opportunity, including Applicant Criteria, Approval and Evaluation Process for Candidates, Course Consideration, Registration Information, Course Structure, and FAQs and additional information.
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