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 PennAEYC
Newsletter November 2010
Our vision is that every child in Pennsylvania has the equal opportunity to be a successful, responsible, and productive member of society as a result of early childhood experiences. |
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Greetings!
Please consider a gift of AEYC membership. Show respect and enthusiasm for a teacher's professional efforts with a gift that lasts all year! Membership in NAEYC, which includes membership in PennAEYC and a local chapter, at $70, opens the door for early childhood educators to local networking and leadership opportunities, discounts on great resources and professional conferences, and a year's worth of NAEYC's award-winning journal Young Children journal or Teaching Young Children magazine for preschool teachers. For just $35 more, the member will receive 5 or 6 newly-published NAEYC resource books throughout the year.
Here are some members' thoughts about the value of AEYC membership:
"For me AEYC has been the guide and the catalyst throughout my career. I have been enriched tremendously by the organization, the member services, and the many professional relationships I have built and maintained throughout the years. I am continually amazed at the volunteer spirit and the giving nature of our Pennsylvania network, my fellow members in Pittsburgh, as well as everyone across the US."
"My favorite part of being a PennAEYC member is the opportunity to network with other committed professionals in my region, across the state, and even across the nation! It is very beneficial to be part of an internationally respected organization with ties to my local community."
"It is through active membership and partnership with other professionals dedicated to children that I believe we can make a difference for every child one day at a time because together we are better!"
"I believe in NAEYC for the tremendous contribution it makes toward the education of young children." --Jodi Askins, Executive Director |
 | | Executive Director Jodi Askins welcomes participants to the 2010 PennAEYC Board Retreat |
PennAEYC News
2010 PennAEYC Board Retreat: A New, Stronger State Affiliate!
Transition: (noun) - change, passage, move, transformation, conversion, metamorphosis, alteration, handover, changeover; segue, shift, switch, jump, leap, progression; progress, development, evolution, flux.
Taking a page from the very programs PennAEYC supports, the Board of Directors and the overall organization are entering a new era - transition. The PennAEYC Board of Directors, local and state affiliate staff and invited guests connected at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College, PA, Nov. 13 and 14, 2010. The retreat's intention and ultimate outcome was the adoption of a three year strategic plan and restructuring of the PennAEYC Board of Directors. "What an amazing experience we had during the weekend at our annual retreat," said PennAEYC outgoing Board Present Terry Thomas. "I can't thank you enough for the time and effort you
 | | PennAEYC Executive Committee Members Maureen Murphy, Terry Thomas, and Michelle Zitsch |
each put in to making this event such a success. We made history this weekend and worked through some very challenging issues to move the organization forward. Words like trust, compromise and collaboration spring to the front of my mind. For the first time in many years we had a representative from each of our Pennsylvania AEYCs present and working together for a common goal." The 8 month strategic planning process was presented with specific detail on researched data, data outcomes, chapter support, membership, infrastructure, and revenue generation. The strategic plan, which was accepted unanimously by the board, will help guide PennAEYC's work until December of 2013.  "The priorities described in this plan represent PennAEYC's dedication to reconnecting with our local affiliates and members. We know that in order to play an effective role within the early childhood education system in PA and continue to improve access and quality for all families we must build our own organizational capacity and strengthen the AEYC system," said PennAEYC Executive Director Jodi Askins. "We made our mark on AEYC history at the retreat and I am so proud to be a part of this exciting time of growth and renewed commitment." Over the next 6 -9 months, a transition team will finalize the new structure for the Board of Directors and create an Affiliate Council.
The next PennAEYC board meeting has been set for January 22, 2011 in Harrisburg.
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 PennAEYC On-Line
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 Upcoming Activities
November 30: Contact the White House - see details under "Federal Public Policy News" in this enews
December 8: Women's Law Center conference call "What the Child Care and Early Learning Community Needs to Know about the New Health Care Law," 3:00 PM, FREE, registration required The new health care law contains several different provisions that are phased in over time, but will help improve access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance for millions of families. The call will explain the basics of the new health care law and how it works as well as discuss the provisions important to the early childhood community. The Child Care Health Advocate course is a 15 session, 3 credit hour online college credit activity for directors and lead teachers offered by Northampton Community College. Since 2007, this NCC has taught this course with ongoing collaboration between Northampton Community College and the PA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. This course continues to receive accolades from all the enrolled students because it not only offers a unique opportunity for directors and lead teachers to acquire academic credit applicable toward undergraduate and graduate degrees, but also to immediately improve the performance of their programs. The mentored course assignments involve implementation of nationally recommended best practice in the student's work setting and access to national resources. For more information, see the flyer on the Northampton Community College website.
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 State Public Policy News
New Administration - New Opportunities
Governor-Elect Tom Corbett will have the chance to move PA's early learning system forward by building upon a successful foundation - a national model of programs and services - for our young children to gain the skills necessary to become achieving students and pioneering adults.
We have been encouraged by Corbett's acknowledgement on the campaign trail that early childhood education is a necessary first step to build an educated citizenry, develop a skilled workforce and to reduce future social costs. This is why this election was particularly important for you, your child and the children served across all early learning programs in the state. Governor Corbett will illustrate his priorities for children and families when he releases his first budget proposal in March 2011.
"The landscape - politically speaking - may have changed," PennAEYC Executive Director Jodi Askins said, "but we believe this presents us with new opportunities. The one thing that hasn't changed is the need for Pennsylvania to provide the necessary resources for our young children to succeed."
Currently, Child Care Works serves 130,000 children with more than 13,000 on the waiting list. Keystone STARS (the quality rating system) now covers 52 % of providers in Pennsylvania. Head Start Supplemental reaches another 5,700 children which is only a fraction of children eligible. PA Pre-K Counts reaches 11,800 children, again with a waiting list of 5,000.
Pennsylvania is a national leader in providing quality early childhood education. We are proving the benefits of investing by tracking short term savings which include the reduced referrals to special education and reduced failure rate in kindergarten and first grade through participating school districts and community programs. We continue to review the national research which confirms that every dollar invested in early childhood education generates between long-term benefits and savings to taxpayers.
We are looking forward to working with the new administration to make certain that our children and their families continue to get the support they need to ensure their success in school and in life.
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 PA Election Results
Introducing the new leadership in the PA Legislature:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Republican Leadership
Speaker of the House: Sam Smith
Leader: Michael Turzai
Appropriations Chairman: Bill Adolph
Whip: Stan Saylor
Caucus Chair: Sandra Major
Caucus Secretary: Michael Vereb
Democratic Leadership
Leader: Frank Dermody
Appropriations Chair: Joseph Markosek
Whip: Michael Hanna
Caucus Chair: Dan Frankel
Caucus Secretary: Jennifer Mann
Caucus Administrator: Ron Buxton
Policy Chair: Michael Sturla
Caucus Administrator: Dick Stevenson
Policy Chair: Dave Reed
SENATE
Republican Leadership
President Pro Tempore: Joseph Scarnati
Majority Leader: Dominic Pileggi
Appropriations Chair: Jake Corman
Majority Whip: Pat Browne
Caucus Chairman: Michael Waugh
Caucus Secretary: Robert Robbins
Caucus Administrator: To be determined at a later date
Policy Chair: To be determined at a later date
Democratic Leadership
Minority Leader: Jay Costa
Appropriations Chair: Vince Hughes
Whip: Michael O'Pake
Caucus Chair: Anthony Williams
Caucus Secretary: Christine Tartaglione
Causus Administrator: Lisa Boscola
Policy Chair: Richard Kasunic |
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 Federal Public Policy News
November 30 Contact President Obama
Congress returns on November 29 for negotiations with the White House on the funding bills. On Tuesday, November 30, advocates from across the country will contact the White House to ask them to remind Congress not to drop 300,000 children from child care and Head Start, and to support the Early Learning Challenge Fund.
So why contact the White House now? The President and his important staff are key players in these funding decisions, and we need to continue to let them know that young children and families should not lose out on the early care and education they need during these difficult times.
How to Call or Email the White House on November 30
Please take action by contacting the White House. There are two ways you can contact the President:
Leave a message for President Obama on the White House Comments line in support of early childhood education programs:
To call the comments line dial 202-456-1111. (You may need to call more than once if you get a busy signal.)
Leave a message in the voicemail. Here is a sample script: My name is ________ and I'm from (Insert Organization) in (City), (State). Please urge Congress not to drop 300,000 children from child care and Head Start. Make sure that continued funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant and Head Start is NOT REDUCED in the appropriations bill and that the Early Learning Challenge Fund is included. Thank you.
Send President Obama an e-mail in support of early childhood education programs.
To e-mail the President, go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact.
Use the web form to send the White House an email. Here is a sample message you can type into the form:
Dear President Obama, Please urge Congress not to drop 300,000 children from child care and Head Start. Make sure that continued funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant and Head Start is NOT REDUCED in the FY 2011 appropriations bill and that the Early Learning Challenge Fund is included. These programs help children learn and develop skills they need to succeed in school and in life. They also help families get ahead by giving parents the support they need to be productive at work. Thank you.
Please tell your networks and friends to take action on Tuesday, November 30. The more people who take action, the more our voices will be heard in this very important time.
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 NAEYC News
Operation Accreditation
Space is still available for NAEYC's Operation Accreditation workshop. Registration closes on Friday, December 3, 2010.
NAEYC Accreditation Program Support is pleased to announce a full-day workshop opportunity at NAEYC Headquarters.
At this full day workshop NAEYC staff will de-bunk myths, answer your questions (ask us anything!) and will provide in plain English:
·additional guidance on the NAEYC Program Standards and Accreditation Criteria
·advice on organizing Program and Classroom Portfolios
·explanations of the differences between Candidacy Requirements and Criteria
·key elements of the Site Visit from an assessment perspective
·examples of the types of tools used on actual Site Visits
Please note: This workshop is designed for early childhood professionals working with center- and school-based programs serving young children with prior knowledge of the 4 Steps who are ready for more detail on the process and the criteria. Continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be served.
Monday, December 13, 2010 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
NAEYC Headquarters, 1313 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
FEE Full Day Workshop Registration:
NAEYC Member Rate $199.00
Non-NAEYC Member Rate $249.00
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 First Steps PAThank you!
Again, you did a terrific job engaging families, staff, and their community in raising awareness about the importance of voting and encouraging early childhood voters to go to the polls earlier this month.
With your help, First Steps PA distributed over 50,000 stickers, buttons and posters. Over 12,000 goodie bags went home to parents with information on why voting in this election was so critical! Moreover, you supported children and adults in your community to develop lifelong habits of voting.
Please click on the link below to see a special message from us to you, on behalf of the First Steps Pennsylvania campaign.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHNEVsZ1js8
The First Steps Coalition includes more than 1,375 members representing approximately 29,000 professional staff who provide service each day to more than 231,000 children across the state. More than 346,000 parents are relying on them each day to assure their children are well cared for and have the opportunity to learn, grow and develop. |
 Resources
Special Edition: OCDEL 2009-2010 Reach and Risk Report
Risk - know your county's risk factor
Reach - know the percentage of children under age five in your county participating in publicly-funded quality early education programs
Community education tools you can use: The 2009-2010 OCDEL Program Reach and Risk Report is now available on the PA Key website. The Reach and Risk Report provides critical information on how at risk children in your community are for failing in school and how many children have access to publicly-funded quality early education programs. The report includes a county spreadsheet and a city spreadsheet with a lot of data. |
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Disclaimer: PennAEYC provides a forum for discussion of major issues and ideas in our field. We hope to provoke thought and promote professional growth.
The views expressed or implied are not necessarily those of the Association. Acceptance of advertising, announcements, and postings does not represent PennAEYC's endorsement of any product or service, nor is PennAEYC responsible for representations made by advertisers. |
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 Your Membership Status
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If you are a PennAEYC member, your membership information is as follows:
Member ID #:
Member category:
Expiration Date:
Local Chapter/s:
To join or find more information about membership, click here.
Comprehensive Members ($105.00): Your best buy for staying up-to-date with professional resources in early childhood education.
Regular ($70.00): Basic membership resources to meet your professional needs.
Student ($50.00): Available only to students currently enrolled in professional preparation programs (CDA, associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree) only.
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Affiliate Name (Affiliate Id #) |
Areas Served | |
Bucks County AEYC (338) |
Bucks County | |
Capital Area AEYC (132) |
Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, Franklin and Fulton Counties | |
Central Susquehanna AEYC (546) |
Columbia, Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties | |
Delaware Valley AEYC (61) |
Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties | |
Eastern Pennsylvania AEYC (274) |
Berks and Schuylkill Counties | |
Lancaster AEYC (89) |
Lancaster County | |
Lebanon Valley AEYC (275) |
Lebanon County | |
Lehigh and Northampton AEYC (133) |
Lehigh and Northampton Counties | |
Monroe County AEYC (440) |
Monroe, Carbon and Pike Counties | |
Northeast Pennsylvania AEYC (292) |
Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna ,Wayne and Wyoming Counties | |
Northwest Pennsylvania AEYC (526) |
Erie, Crawford, Mercer and Venango Counties | |
Pennsylvania at-large
(50001) |
At-large is a local option provided for members within the state that are not served by a local affiliate. The state affiliate provides the local services for these members. | |
Pittsburgh AEYC (81) |
Allegheny, Armstrong Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties | |
York Area AEYC (455) |
York and Adams Counties |
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