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In February 2015, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) received a four-year, $24.3 million grant to serve low-income, at-risk children and their families. OCDEL requested grant proposals and the Wolf Administration recently announced the winners of the Early Head Start Child Care Partnership grants.
The grant prioritized partnerships between community-based organizations and local child care providers. Seven Pennsylvania early learning agencies and their partners were selected to receive the funds.
The successful applicants receiving grant awards include:
- Child Development Centers, Inc. - Venango County
- Lawrence County Community Action Program - Lawrence County
- Huntingdon County Child & Adult Development Corporation - Huntingdon County
- Lancaster Lebanon Intermediate Unit - Lancaster and Lebanon Counties
- Berks County Intermediate Unit - Berks County
- Maternity Care Coalition - Montgomery and Bucks Counties
- Chester County Intermediate Unit - Chester County
In addition to providing comprehensive Early Head Start services to 368 vulnerable children and their families, the grants also will increase the quality of child care, enhance staff development, and strengthen community partnerships.
OCDEL, jointly overseen by the departments of Human Services and Education, will use the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Award to expand the number of infants and toddlers receiving Early Head Start services in the commonwealth. The grant, from the Federal Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start, will be paid over four and a half years. For more information, visit the PA Keys website.
Got a Question? Need an Answer? Introducing Zendesk!
 The PA Key has a new tool called Zendesk for early learning providers to use for questions regarding the topics listed below. The great thing is - the questions/answers will remain posted for future reference. The mailboxes that are now being directed to Zendesk include:
Effective immediately, please visit the Zendesk website for any questions you might have about any of the subjects listed above.
Family recommendations: Great Books and Songs about Routines
Routines are a part of all of our lives, but are especially important for young children. Routines help children feel safe  and secure and learn important social skills like self-control and waiting your turn. Routines make transitions from one activity to the next easier too.
A great way to teach children about routines is through books and songs - they are having so much fun they don't notice they are learning! Share your favorite books and/or songs about routines at the PA's Promise for Children website, or email [email protected].
Early Learning Programs - Are You Ready for July 1?
Important information regarding July 1 deadlines
July 1 Deadline Approaching for Use of 2014 Early Learning Standards: The deadline for use of  2014 Early Learning Standards is fast approaching. All state-funded early learning programs are to begin using the 2014 Learning Standards for Early Childhood (Infant Toddler and Pre-Kindergarten) on July 1, 2015.
An updated listing of curricula aligned to the 2014 Learning Standards can  be found at the PA Department of Education website. Training opportunities can be found by visiting the PA Key's online registry. A webinar recording on the 2014 Learning Standards for Early Childhood can be accessed on the PA Key website.
July 1 Deadline for the Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies for Early Childhood and School-Age Professionals: Effective July 1, 2015, the Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies for Early Childhood and School-Age Professionals (CKC)  will completely replace the Core Body of Knowledge (CBK).
The CKC identifies a set of content areas that help define the knowledge expectations for professionals in settings within the early childhood and school-age field. It supports students' preparation for entry into the field of early childhood and school-age care as well as professionals' commitment to lifelong learning through ongoing professional growth. This revision is designed to be more inclusive of all group settings and updated to reflect revised learning standards and current research on best practice.
Additionally, the Big Ideas Framework and Individual Professional Development Plan (IDPD) will replace the Professional Development Record (PDR). Keystone STARS providers will be required to complete their professional development plan online through the PA Keys workforce registry. Professional Development on how to use these tools is available through the Regional Keys and will soon be available as an online course. For more information please visit PA Keys website.
Use of Email and Password for PA Keys Portal Login: Beginning July 1, 2015 all users the PA Key portal will be required to enter an email address and password to login to the PA Key portal. The option to login with the date of birth and last five digits of the Social Security Number will no longer be available. Setting up a password is as easy as clicking the "Forget Your Password?" link on the login screen. Those who may have forgotten their password can also click the link.
Change in Application Process for Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Program: Beginning July 1, 2015 all Rising STARS Tuition Assistance applicants will be required to submit their applications online for the Rising STARS Tuition Assistance program. To complete an application, please login to your account at www.pakeys.org and select Tuition Asst & CDA Voucher Applications, then click on apply online, and then select the new application link.
There are three ways to submit required supporting documentation: Uploaded and attached to the online application; faxed to the Program at 610-987-8400; or mailed to P.O. Box 16050, Reading, PA 19612-6050. For questions, please contact the Program or call 1-800-284-6031 option #4.
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Families as Leaders in Their Communities
A Philadelphia-based Early Childhood Education Community Innovation Zone (CIZ) grantee, PARENT POWER is developing their PLAN (Parent Leaders' Advisory Network), a train-the-trainer model to aid family members in becoming facilitators and leaders in their own neighborhoods.
PLAN is parent-led and designed to help parents and caregivers identify their assets and develop personal and professional skills. The program, which empowers community residents to become leaders, provides real opportunities for neighborhood residents to participate in the design and
delivery of school and early learning services.
During workshops, parents and caregivers learn how to implement a series of activities aligned with the PA Early Learning Standards called Let's Read Math. These workshops are well attended and families report their children asking for the activities and stories to be repeated over and over, a testament to effectiveness of the program.
Another exciting testimony to the effectiveness of PLAN is the number of families who are adding learning opportunities to their community block parties. Some families have chosen to add book parties and parent parties following PARENT POWER suggestion to spread a blanket, put out some books, have some blocks or balls, and offer structured and supported playtime for children during these community-wide events.
An exciting, but unanticipated, connection is a partnership with Dobbins Career and Technical Education (CTE) High School. In efforts to to support teen mothers and encourage them to join PLAN, CTE principal Dr. Toni Damon has provided office and meeting space for PARENT POWER. Dr. Damon regularly participates in the PLAN events and has become a vocal proponent for PARENT POWER. Additionally, CTE has provided a room for future child care space while the parents and caregivers are participating in PLAN.
PARENT POWER has also been focusing on outreach efforts, actively recruiting family child care providers, charter and Catholic schools, and child care facilities in their area. PARENT POWER is sharing information on their initiative and inviting all who are interested to participate.
This initiative is part of Pennsylvania's Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge grant. For more information on other initiatives funded by this grant, visit the Department of Education website.
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Cleaning Products - Look for the new EPA Safer Choice Label
A recent Health Capsule by ECELS shared information about the EPA's a new Safer Choice label program to help  consumers find safer cleaning products. Manufacturers can use the new label only if the EPA scientists determine that every ingredient in the product is safe for humans and pets, meets environmental standards, and cleans well. As of April 29, 2015, the EPA has authorized use of the new Safer Choice label on over 2000 cleaning products. Look for the label when purchasing products for your early childhood or school age program. Search online for products that meet the Safer Choice Standard.
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Early Learning GPS online demo: Professionals  interested in getting a preview of the features of the Early Learning GPS before creating their own family account can watch a 20 minute video demonstration. Professionals can access tips and tools for sharing the Early Learning GPS with families as well.
Summer Reading Tips to Go: Sign up now for 2015  summer learning tips, in English or Spanish from Reading Rockets and WETA. Summer learning tips provide ideas to jumpstart reading, writing, and simple science activities for you and your child. You'll receive 3-4 text messages each week, all summer long.
6 Tips for Boosting Your Baby's Language Skills:  Babies benefit when exposed to lots of language, but it's not merely a question of word count. What really seems to matter is the personal connection--being involved in the give-and-take of a genuine conversation. A guide from The Urban Child Institute provides the best kind of "baby talk": Evidence-based tips for helping babies reach their full potential.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program: This free  program encourages parents to read 1,000 books with their children before they start kindergarten. All participants will receive book plates for every 100 books they read and a free book for every 500 books they read. And, of course, they will also have a head start when it comes to learning to read on their own.
Resources for Start with a Book: Ward off the learning loss  that many children experience over the summer, Start with a Book offers adults engaging, research-based ideas for getting kids into books all summer and beyond. The free resources from Start with a Book from Reading Rockets build on what young children already like - dinosaurs, building, animals, sports, superheroes and music - so that parents, camp counselors, and others can have fun and interact meaningfully with children while helping to strengthen their reading skills.
The Big Dig: Our Archaeology Reading Adventure Pack: Families and their children can go on an archaeological reading adventure! Draw sandpaper petroglyphs, excavate a homemade "archaeological site" to uncover beads, buttons, coins, jewels and gems, or create an Egyptian scroll filled with hieroglyphics (alphabet provided). A list of recommended fiction and nonfiction books from Reading Rockets is also included.
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minimum hour work requirements for subsidy eligibility; requiring verification of job schedule and hours; and matching children's child care hours precisely to parents' work hours. The paper highlights recent trends in work activity and schedule policies in states, and offers recommendations for how states can simplify polices to improve the receipt and retention of child care assistance by low-income families. 
