ELPA Poll Shows Strong Support for Investments into Early Childhood

A new poll, commissioned by the Early Learning PA Coalition (ELPA) and conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research from February 1 – 7, 2023, found that 98% of PA voters believe early childhood education is important.

Voter support significantly increased from June 2022, when polling revealed that 90% of voters found early childhood education to be important.

Other News

Top News

• Organizations in Allegheny County Offering Food Resources
• Office for Civil Rights Issues Fact Sheet on Diversity & Inclusion Activities
• NAEYC Report Quantifies Impact of Recent Child Care Challenges
• Nominations for the 2023 Fred Rogers Institute Helper Awards Now Open
• New Positive Racial Identity Development Resource Available

Family News

• URA Offering Funds for Low-Income and First-Time Homebuyers
• Shapiro Administration Urges CHIP Recipients To Update Contact Information
• 2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration Information
• SNAP Emergency Allotment Ending After February 2023
• Free Tax Return Preparation in Allegheny County

Provider News

• Teach Plus to Host Virtual Focus Groups on ECE Recruitment and Retention
• Home Grown Child Care Shares Tax Guidance for Home-based Child Care Providers
• Trying Together Offering Child Development Trainings
• New Tax Guides for Child Care Professionals

Upcoming Events

Professional Development

• Virtual Director Roundtables, ELRC Region 5
  • Tuesday, 2/28 | 10 a.m.
  • Tuesday, 2/28 | 2 p.m.
• Everyday Interactions Matter, ELRC Region 5
  • Tuesday, 2/28 | 6 - 8 p.m.
• Fresh Ideas for Making Your Program Stand Out and Grow, Early Childhood Investigations Webinars
  • Wednesday, 3/01 | 2 - 3:30 p.m.
• Collaborating for Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood: Focus on Attitudes and Beliefs, ELRC Region 5
  • Thursday, 3/9 | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
• Let's Chat About: Making Phonological Awareness Fun, OCDEL
  • Friday, 3/10 | 1 - 2 p.m.
• Supporting Children’s Play as a Way to Positively Respond to Our New Normal, Trying Together
  • Thursday, 3/21 | 6 - 8 p.m.

Events

• Storytime at The Hub, Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center
  • Tuesday, 2/28 | 10 - 10:45 a.m. 
  • Tuesday, 3/07 | 10 - 10:45 a.m.
  • Tuesday, 3/14 | 10 - 10:45 a.m. 
• Critical Building Blocks for a Healthy Start: Championing Equitable Maternal Health, Alliance for Early Success
  • Tuesday, 2/28 | 3 - 4 p.m.
• Community Check-up, Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center
  • Wednesday, 3/01 | 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
• Buzz, Buzz, Buzz at The Hub! - SHARE BUZZ Box Series, Buzzword
  • Wednesday, 3/01 | 5:30 - 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, 3/08 | 5:30 - 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, 3/15 | 5:30 - 7 p.m.
• Fathers Trying Together, Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center
  • Tuesday, 3/07 | 6 - 7:30 p.m. 
• Women's Rap, Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center
  • Friday, 3/10 | 6 - 7:30 p.m.
• Buzzword Day at the Theatre!, Buzzword
  • Sunday, 3/19 | 2 - 3 p.m.

Save the Date: Ultimate Play Day 2023

Ultimate Play Day is a celebration of playfulness for people of all ages. This annual event is an opportunity for people throughout the Pittsburgh region to play together and raise awareness of the benefits of play for everyone. 

Save the date: Sunday, May 7, 2023 from 1 - 4 p.m. 

Ultimate Play Day 2023 will take place in Lower McKinley Park in the Beltzhoover area.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Featured Resources

• Observances in February
  • Black History Month
    • Parenting for Positive Racial Identity Development, Trying Together
    • For Parents: Celebrating Black Leaders, PBS Kids
    • Nine Books to Celebrate Black History Month, PA Promise for Children
    • Black History Month Hub with free, online activities, National Education Association
  • National Children’s Dental Health Month
    • Brush Up on Oral Health tip sheets, The Office of Head Start
  • February 14 was Read to Your Child Day
    • Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Book Lists, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
    • Buzzword Words & Activities, Buzzword 
  • February 17 was National Caregivers Day
    • Developmentally Appropriate Parenting: Caring for the Caregiver, Trying Together
• Developmentally Appropriate Parenting (DAP) Series, Trying Together
  • Get information on topics such as Childhood Physical Health; Child Care; Transitions & Routines; and much more.
• Anti-Racism Resources, Trying Together
  • Anti-Racism Resources for Families
  • Children’s Books on Race and Equity
  • Talking to Children about Hate Crimes and Anti-Semitism
• Recess Advocacy Toolkit, Trying Together & Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative
  • Examples of Play
  • PE Teachers: Advice & Tips
• Request for Professional Services, Trying Together
• Professional Development Catalog, Trying Together
• Parenting Together Pathway, Trying Together
• Family Engagement Toolkit, Trying Together