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Report highlights Pennsylvania as the only state to make important link with child-data
Resource available to start preparing now for summer water safety
Training opportunity to become an early learning leader in your community

  

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watersafetyRed Cross Water Safety Training Available for Child Care Providers and Lifeguard Requirements

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning, the Bureau of Certification Services has worked with the American Red Cross to develop water safety training especially for child care providers who take children swimming.

The training focuses on the need to pre-plan, to assign specific children to specific staff and to follow the more stringent staff to child ratios that are required when taking children swimming.  The training also clarifies that providers must have at least one staff person along who is certified as a lifeguard. The staff person certified as a lifeguard is not counted in the required staff to child ratios.
 
Training sessions are available now. To sign up for a session or to obtain more information, contact the aquatics specialists for the American Red Cross:
  • For Eastern Pennsylvania - Susan M. Fleming
  • For Central and Western Pennsylvania - George N. Zimmerman
For additional details, please see the Announcement C-14 #01 Water Safety Training for Child Care Providers and Lifeguard Requirements. Questions relating to this Announcement should be directed to your certification representative. 
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ETBTraining develops early learning community leaders 
  

Are you ready to take the next step in becoming an early learning leader in your community? Leaders who move organizations and issues forward connect with people and build Expand the Brand logo a shared vision of the future. Being a strong communicator can significantly enhance your chances of success.

 

Expand the Brand, a quality early learning communications and networking leadership group, is now accepting applications for its next training series in Pittsburgh on April 24, May 22 and June 19. Expand the Brand seeks to help grow more early learning leaders by focusing on three main skill sets that form the foundation for effective communication. These skills include public speaking, messaging and planning. The six training modules and community outreach activities in the series work together to increase awareness, build demand and encourage support for quality early learning. Topics include: communicating about what quality is and why it matters, how to make the case for quality, graphic design, media relations, crisis communications and marketing yourself as an early learning leader.

 

For complete information and download an application, please visit the PA Key website. Successful participants will receive 12 PQAS/Act 48 hours through this free training series. Keystone STARS providers and LEARN partners are especially encouraged to apply. Contact Karen Seeber at 717-213-3731 or [email protected] with any questions.

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Professional Development opportunity extended
Expires March 31, 2014
  
Due to the inclement weather in February that closed many early care and education programs and offices, ECELS is extending their offer for free reviews of self-learning modules.  This offer is for PA child care professionals only and continues through March 31, 2014.
  
Take this opportunity to gain knowledge, make health and safety program improvements and earn professional development credit. All ECELS self-learning modules meet the STAR Level 2 Performance Standard for Health and Safety. Choose from 30 self-learning modules listed at www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org, Select Professional Development/Training from the top menu bar, and then select Self-Learning Modules. Be sure to use the self-learning modules currently posted on the website.
  
If you have any questions, contact ECELS at [email protected] or 800/243-2357 (PA only) or 484-446-3003.
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PAeffortsPennsylvania's Efforts Stand Out in Data Systems Report

 

A recent report lists Pennsylvania as the only state which can link child-data across all ECE programs and to the state's K-12 data system. The 2013 State of States' Early Childhood Data Systems report, released by the Early Childhood Data Collaborative, is based on a survey of 50 states and the District of Columbia, assessing the coordination of their early childhood data systems. The survey was completed by state education, health and social services program staff and focused on states' capacity to securely link child-level early care and education (ECE) data, collect state-level child screening and assessment data, and use of coordinated ECE data. The report found that, although federal and state agencies fund an array of ECE services and collect data documenting those services, most states could do much more to link this data to guide decision-making for programs serving young children.

 

For additional information and recommendations for policy makers and practitioners, read the full report.

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highqualityaccessThe Case for Pre-K in PA

 

Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC) recently issued a new report highlighting the benefits and need for expanded quality pre-kindergarten


The report, A Smart Choice for a Solid Start: The Case for Pre-k in PA, details the proven benefits of high-quality pre-k for 3- and 4-year-olds, including stronger academic and social skills in kindergarten and later grades, reduced costs for special education services, and an increased likelihood of high school graduation and better employment opportunities. Included are the short- and long-term benefits of Pre-K to the communities and businesses, and the value of expanding these programs. There is also local data to show how many young learners have access to high-quality pre-k in each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties.


Read the report, A Smart Choice for a Solid Start: The Case for Pre-k in PA, for additional information.

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Recipe Winners for Centers and Home-Based Early Educators

 

Seize this great opportunity to improve nutrition for children in your care. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Team Nutrition recently released 30 award-winning recipes. They were picked from those submitted to the national Recipes for Healthy Kids Competition. All recipes are child-tested and child-approved, using only healthy ingredients. They feature Child Care and Adult Food Program (CACFP) foods. All of the recipes are low in total fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt. Use them with the Crediting Handbook to easily document for CACFP. 

 

The cookbooks include: a guide to make buying easy; information about food safety; and what to do for children with allergies. Download them for free from the two website links. Recipes for Healthy Kids: Cookbook for Homes includes instructions for 6 portions. Recipes for Healthy Kids Cookbooks for Child Care Centers has instructions for making 25, 50 or 100 portions. Schools and child care programs that participate in the Federal CACFP can order free print copies of the cookbook. Order them using the Resource Order Form on the USDA Team Nutrition webpage.

 

Share with the Early Childhood Education Linkage System (ECELS) your favorite recipe from the cookbooks and what you like it, and if your feedback is selected to be published in a future issue of Health Link Online, ECELS will send a free copy of Healthy Young Children: A Manual for Programs. E-mail your suggestion to [email protected].

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No-cost resources to help prevent child abuse


In anticipation of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, the PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics' child abuse education program is offering community partners free packs of the "help card" and "crying card" because it's understood that even good parents can have bad days.

The "help card" is the perfect way to share with all parents the message that it's okay to ask for and accept help. The card has just enough helpful tips and suggestions to assure parents that they are not the only one seeking answers. It also provides guidance for those who are concerned about the health and safety of other children. The "crying card" is a simple list of things a caretaker can do to help calm a crying baby. Both the help cards and crying cards come in packs of 100 and are available in English and Spanish.

To receive these free prevention materials, just go to the website www.pascan.org and complete the order form. Community partners can disseminate these cards as they see fit and help in the effort to prevent child abuse before it ever happens. Community partners are also invited to participate in the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign - a colorful way to show that keeping children safe is a priority. Go to www.PreventChildAbusePA.org for more information and to order pinwheels.
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New Online Training Modules Released

  

Penn State University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have partnered to create six Let's Move! Child Care training modules. The free online training modules provide practical strategies for implementing best practices in ECE settings for promoting healthy weight in young children. The training also allows an opportunity for ECE providers to obtain CEUs from Penn State and professional development credits from many states' licensing and/or quality improvement systems. The training series includes six lessons that cover background information for childhood obesity prevention and the five best practice goals: increase physical activity, limit screen time, offer healthy beverages, serve healthy food, and support infant feeding.

 

Follow these instructions to access the first two modules:

 

1.)  Access the lessons at: http://extension.psu.edu/youth/betterkidcare.
2.)  Click on  "On Demand Web Lessons" button on the left menu bar.
3.)  Create an account and sign in.
4.)  Select the title of the lesson:  Childhood Obesity Prevention: Let's Move! Child Care or Childhood Obesity Prevention: LMCC - Increase Physical Activity.

  

The remaining four modules will be released in the coming months. 

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Early Learning GPS (Guiding Parents Smoothly) Table Tent Displays: Download the new table tent displays promoting the Early Learning GPS. PA Promise's new Early Learning GPS (Guiding Parents Smoothly) online interactive survey guides families through key areas they need to know to make the best early learning choices for their young children, and pinpoints resources for them based on their responses. This is a great tool for any professionals working with families. Preview the new GPS map worksheet that helps families map out real changes they can make to help their child grow and download the new table tent displays promoting the Early Learning GPS. Print and display in offices, near computer displays, and in stores.
  
Tax Deduction Tips for Families: As any parent knows, raising children can be expensive. Being aware of what credits taxpayers are eligible for when they become parents can keep from paying more in taxes than what is owed. Get tips for tax deduction tips for which families may be eligible. 
  
Infographic: Nine Awesome Bedtime Books: Get the scoop on fun early learning activities families can do with their children in the bedroom during March's Learning is Everywhere. Print an awesome 9 Bedtime Books Infographic to share with families. 
  
Watch and vote for Naptime Story: Junk Mail Lullaby: A short film, Naptime Story: Junk Mail Lullaby, a collaborative work of PAEYC, Fred Rogers Company, and Fred Rogers Center, has been submitted to the BABY STEPS Film Competition happening right now. Take a few moments to watch it (it's the first one in the line up), and if you like it, please share it via Facebook and Twitter and vote for it. Vote by clicking the little box in the upper right hand corner of the video.
  
Videos for Teaching Nutrition: The Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition recently released five short videos for ECE providers and parents on how to teach children (up to age 5) about nutrition during meals. A workbook was also developed to accompany the videos. 
  
Infographic: Tips For Teachers On Family Engagement: The National PTA has created an infographic, Tips For Teachers On Family Engagement, with six tips to help use your school's Parent Teacher Association as a family engagement partner.
  
Looking for ways to reduce screen time? Setting screen time limits for children does not have to be difficult. There are other activities they can do instead of watching TV or using computers and other devices. Check out the new screen time reduction tip sheet on the LMCC website.
  
Farm to preschool training materials: National Farm to School Network recently released a set of new farm to preschool training materials by and for key stakeholder groups including farmers, child nutrition directors, educators and early care providers. Each training template consists of a customizable slide deck, speaker notes, handouts and an evaluation form. Anyone can use these tools to conduct effective trainings and share the value of farm to school in communities across the country.
  
Breathe PA Handwashing Kit: Breathe Pennsylvania is offering to Early Learning Providers a FREE Handwashing Kit that includes a Handwashing DVD and Poster that meets PA Hand Hygiene Standards. Breathe PA is asking the early childhood community to complete a survey once they have used the hand washing DVD. To receive your FREE Handwashing Kit please email Linda at [email protected]. Once you have received the Kit and watched the DVD please complete the survey.

 

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The Kids Trust: The Foundation for Enhancing Communities is currently accepting proposals for grants available through The Kids Trust for projects that provide support and services to young children who are living with physical or emotional abuse, or neglect in the counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York. Deadline April 11

 

Family and Children's Services Fund of Lebanon County: The Family and Children's Services Fund of Lebanon County, a fund of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, is accepting proposals from nonprofit, social service agencies in support of projects which serve families and children in Lebanon County. Deadline April 14 

 

STEM-Based Education grants: The US Airways Education Foundation is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations for educational programs that focus on economically disadvantaged or developmentally disabled children age 18 and younger, or programs that increase student interest and academic achievement in science, technology, engineering, and math. The program is open to nonprofit organizations located within the airline's hub cities which includes Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Deadline May 1

 

Literacy Grants from the Wish You Well Foundation: The grant's focus is to foster and promote "the development and expansion of new and existing literacy and educational programs." Deadline rolling


Upcoming deadlines: 

Get the list of funding opportunities! 

March 5, 2014
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March 19: PA One Book Kick Off, Harrisburg

March 19: Family Literacy Parent/Child Evening Interactive Literacy Activity, Uniontown

March 26: Family Literacy Parent/Child Evening Interactive Literacy Activity, Greensburg

March 29:   11th Annual Family Fun Fest, Indiana County 

March 31-May 1: Spring Storytime for Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers, Johnstown 

April 4-6: Annual Kids Book Fest, Johnstown

April 7: Children's Day at the Cranberry Mall, Venango County

April 9: Parent Youth Professional Forum, Reading

April 12: PA Promise for Children Awareness Night at the ballpark, Philadelphia

April 16: Children's Parade, Milford

April 26: Success By 6 Early Learning Expo, Erie 

April 27: Kids are Great Day, Matamoras

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The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) provides families access to high quality services to prepare children for school and life success. 

  

Find more information about Quality Early Learning in Pennsylvania
 
The Early Childhood Education e-news is a project of the Pennsylvania Build Initiative and the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Public Welfare to inform early learning professionals, the early childhood community, policymakers, community leaders and the public on developments in early childhood education and care in Pennsylvania.

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