Resources for Changes to SNAP Benefits

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Acting Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Val Arkoosh are reminding Pennsylvanians of federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that are taking effect this month.

SNAP Emergency Allotments—which were usually paid in the second half of each month—ended after February due to changes by the federal government.

In his 2023-24 budget, the governor proposed an increase to the minimum SNAP benefit for seniors and people with disabilities. The budget proposal also seeks to continue universal school breakfasts, an investment in children’s ability to learn and access to food for working families in all communities.

To address current needs, Governor Shapiro is encouraging struggling families to utilize food assistance resources.

Other News

Top News

• Child Care Career Openings in Pittsburgh
• Vote School Board First Shares Key Election Information
• OCDEL Ends Option for Director Instructor PQAS
• Additional Course to be Required for PQAS Certification
• 2023-24 Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts Request for Applications
• ACDHS Recommendations for End of Public Health Emergency

Family News

• UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation Offering Medical Grants for Children
• Organizations in Allegheny County Offering Food Resources
• 2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration Information
• Free Tax Return Preparation in Allegheny County

Provider News

• Gee Whiz Education Providing Free Onboarding Training for Product Users
• OCDEL Releases Updated Listings for Curricula and Assessment Tools
• Trying Together Offering Child Development Trainings

Other News

• ELPA Responds to Governor Shapiro’s 2023-24 Pennsylvania Budget Proposal
• Trying Together Offering MOYC Opportunities

Upcoming Events

Featured Events

• Collaborating for Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood: Focus on Attitudes and Beliefs, ELRC Region 5
  • Thursday, 3/30 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
• Working Together Webinar, Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA
  • Tuesday, 4/04 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Capturing Moments: Planning For and Conducting Classroom Observations, ELRC Region 5
  • Thursday, 4/06 | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, 4/13 | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
• Introduction to ASQ-3, Trying Together and ELRC Region 5
  • Thursday, 3/30 | 1 – 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, 4/15 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 4/18 | 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 5/02 | 6 - 9 p.m.
  • Saturday, 5/06 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Homewood Block Party, The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center
  • Saturday, 4/15 | 12 – 4 p.m.
• Supporting Our Workforce: Child Care in Westmoreland County, Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce and partners
  • Thursday, 4/20 | 8 - 11 a.m. 

Professional Development

• Virtual Director Roundtables, ELRC Region 5
  • Tuesday, 3/28 | 10 a.m.
  • Tuesday, 3/28 | 2 p.m.
• Prioritizing and Strengthening Early Childhood Systems, National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) 
  • Thursday, 3/30 | 12 – 1 p.m.
• Building a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom, Mindful Schools
  • Wednesday, 4/12 | 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Events

• Be My Neighbor Day 2023, WQED, PNC Grow Up Great, and Fred Rogers Productions
  • Saturday, 3/25 | 1 – 4 p.m.
• EmployHER Pittsburgh Opportunity Fair, EmployHER Pittsburgh
  • Monday, 3/27 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. & 3 – 7 p.m.
• Walk-In Food Distribution at The Hub
  • Monday, 3/27 | 12 - 5 p.m.
  • Monday, 4/03 | 12 - 5 p.m.
  • Monday, 4/10 | 12 - 5 p.m.
• Growing Your Strong Family: Spring 2023 Virtual Parent Café, OCDEL, Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania, and Be Strong Families
  • Monday, 3/27 | 6 - 8 p.m.
• Storytime at The Hub, The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center
  • Tuesday, 3/28 | 10 - 10:45 a.m.
  • Tuesday, 4/04 | 10 - 10:45 a.m. 
  • Tuesday, 4/11 | 10 - 10:45 a.m. 
• Lytle Land & Elizabeth Street Parklet Clean-Up Day, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, Rising Tides, and Hazelwood Initiative 
  • Saturday, 4/01 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• A+ Schools and Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative Summer Opportunities Fair, A+ Schools and the Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative
  • Saturday, 4/01 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• MOYC Ages & Stages Developmental Screening, ELRC Region 5
  • Monday, 4/03 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, 4/05 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Monday, 4/10 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Community Check-up, The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center
  • Wednesday, 4/05 | 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Celebrating Joy & Harmony: 10th Annual Education Student Affiliate Dinner, Seton Hill University
  • Wednesday, 4/12 | 5 – 8:30 p.m.
• Women's Rap, The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center
  • Friday, 4/13 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
• Black Birth Expo, Healthy Start
  • Saturday, 4/15 | 12 – 6 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.

Featured Resources

Resources for March Observances

• March is Women's History Month
  • 15 Children's Books to Celebrate Women's History Month, PBS Kids for Parents
  • Diverse Children’s Books About Strong Girls, PBS Kids of Parents
  • 30 Women’s History Month Activities for Students of All Ages, We Are Teachers
  • A Guide to Caring for Yourself While Caring for Others, Trying Together
• March is National Reading Month
  • The Million Book March Collection of Books, Reading is Fundamental 
  • Book Bingo, Reading is Fundamental 
  • Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Book Lists, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
  • Buzzword Words & Activities, Buzzword 
• March 1 was Baby Sleep Day
  • Baby Sleep Advice for Parents & Kids, Pediatric Sleep Council 
  • Babies and Sleep, Sleep Foundation 
  • Helping Baby Sleep Through the Night, Mayo Clinic
• March 2 was National Read Across America (RAA) Day
  • Book Lists by Theme, National Education Association (NEA)
  • Getting Free & Low-Cost Books, National Education Association (NEA)
• March 8 was International Women's Day
  • History of International Women's Day, United Nations 
  • How to Raise a Self-Confident Girl, PBS Kids for Parents
• March 21 was World Down Syndrome Day
  • 5 Ways to Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, Chicago Parent 
  • World Down Syndrome Day Fashion Show Celebration, Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh
  • World Down Syndrome Day Book List, The Children's Book Council 
  • Reading & Resources for Caregivers, Family, and Friends, Northwest Down Syndrome Association 
• March 31 is International Transgender Day of Visibility
  • Family Guide: Gender and Gender Identity, Trying Together
  • Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Part XI, Trying Together
  • Transgender Children & Youth: Understanding the Basics, Human Rights Campaign 
  • Transgender and Gender Fluid Books for Kids, Young Adults, and Adults, John Hopkins Medicine
  • Resources for Transgender Parents, Lambda Legal

Parenting & Family Resources

• Allegheny Summer Camps, Trying Together and APOST
• Developmentally Appropriate Parenting (DAP) Series, Trying Together
  • Childhood Physical Health 
  • Child Care
  • Transitions & Routines
• Parenting Together Pathway, Trying Together
• Family Engagement Toolkit, Trying Together
• Grandparent Video Education Series, Trying Together

Anti-Racism Resources

• Anti-Racism Resources for Families, Trying Together
• Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together
• Talking to Children about Hate Crimes and Anti-Semitism, Trying Together
• Advancing Racial Equity in Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education, EITA
• Talking About Race, Sesame Street in Communities 
• Anti-Racism Resource Directory for Families, Learning Heroes
• BLM at School Week of Action Resources for Educators, D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice

Professional Development Resources

• Request for Professional Services, Trying Together
• Professional Development Catalog, Trying Together

Advocacy Resources

• Recess Advocacy Toolkit, Trying Together & Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative
  • Examples of Play
  • PE Teachers: Advice & Tips