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March Message from OCDEL Deputy Secretary, Michelle Figlar
As I reflect on my travels over the past few weeks, I realize how lucky we are to have champions for our young children all around us.
Recently the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections launched child resource centers in prisons throughout the commonwealth. The Department worked with OCDEL in the development. Secretary of Corrections Wetzel recognized both that he could support incarcerated parents while helping their children follow a different path.
 Governor releases proposed budget for 2016-17, including increases for early childhood education
"There are two paths we can take: we can fix our deficit and invest in education to move Pennsylvania forward or we can continue to embrace the failed status quo and cut $1 billion from education funding, cut hundreds of millions of dollars to essential social services and continue to stifle the commonwealth's economic growth," said Governor Wolf. "If we do not act to end the era of deficit denial, one time fixes and budget gimmicks, the consequences will be billions of dollars in property tax hikes for Pennsylvanians and cuts to our schools and critical services for women, children, and seniors."
Here are some highlights.
The proposed budget would provide:
- $11 million increased (30%) investment to serve approximately 1,900 additional children in evidence-based home visiting. The Governor's Budget also aligns the Family Centers to the OCDEL suite of programs.
- $12 million increased investment in Child Care Works to serve approximately 2,300 additional children which will be removed from the Child Care Works waiting list;
- $3 million increased investment in Keystone STARS to serve approximately 1,000 additional children;
- $50 million increased investment in Pre-K Counts to serve approximately 6,500 additional children; and
- $10 million increased investment in Head Start Supplemental to serve approximately 900 additional children.
Please download the budget chart for more information. To have your voice heard during the budget process, please connect with organizations representing your field such as Pre-K for PA.
Join the next step of the Keystone STARS Re-Visioning process!
OCDEL is offering three webinars in March. Participants can review and provide feedback to the draft Keystone STARS framework and core values drafted at the Keystone STARS Think Tank at the end of February on the webinars.
If you would like to participate in a webinar, please pre-register by completing the Keystone STARS Re-Visioning form. If you previously filled out the form, you are pre-registered -- there is no need to fill it out again.
Pre-registered participants will receive an email in mid-March allowing them to choose which webinar they would like to join. All webinars offered are identical and will contain the same information. Webinar dates to be offered are:
- March 22, 12-1pm
- March 24, 10-11am
- March 30, 6-7pm
Elementary Schools Apply Now to Participate in KEI
Application Deadline May 30
Applications are open now for elementary schools that wish to implement Pennsylvania's Kindergarten Entry Inventory on a voluntary basis beginning in the 2016-2017 school year. Application deadline is May 30.
Pennsylvania's Kindergarten Entry Inventory (KEI) is a reliable reporting tool that offers teachers an instructional strategy for  understanding and tracking a student's proficiency at kindergarten entry. The tool collects information on a consistent set of standards-based indicators across the commonwealth. KEI is intended to be used by kindergarten teachers to record a student's demonstration of skills within the first 45 calendar days of the kindergarten year. It is a snapshot of skills upon entry into kindergarten. The Kindergarten Entry Inventory is available to all school districts at no cost. Click here for application information.
Register for PA One Books Readings!
Registration March 1-March 16
Help support early literacy during April through the Pennsylvania's One Book Every Young Child! You are invited to be a PA One Book reader, or to be a host site during April.  The PA One Book, Every Young Child is Pennsylvania's collaborative project using the vehicle of "One Book, One State" program to highlight the importance of early literacy development.
This year's selection, Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Story, written and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand, is a story about two friends, Mole and Bear, who decide to make a kite and find themselves on a windy-day adventure.
Please complete the online surveys even if you schedule your own guest readers. This helps in outreaching to different programs and prevents duplicate readings at the same site. There is a section within the online registration that can be marked, stating the host site has already scheduled a reader and will not need assistance.
Application Deadline Extended for the 2016 P-3 Governor's Institute
Application Deadline March 18
There is still time to apply for the 2016 P-3 Governor's Institute: P-3 Collaboration Working Together for Student Success, Supporting Prenatal Through Third Grade Connections. The deadline has been extended to March 18 for the professional development event that will help participating school districts, early learning providers, and community organizations throughout the commonwealth make the vital connections and collaborations necessary for student success from birth through grade 3. The Institutes will be held at four different locations during the summer. Participation in the 2016 Institute is limited. Click here for more information.
Submit Your Comments to the Integrated Services Suggestion Box
In efforts to gather feedback, OCDEL has created the Integrated Services suggestion box. Integrating OCDEL services will aid
- Providers to offer multiple OCDEL services to families without duplicating paperwork and other efforts;
- Families to easily access the services they need; and
- Staff responsible for monitoring program compliance to make the best use of their time and expertise.
 The suggestion box is for comments or suggestions related to integrating or improving services, and can be sent to [email protected]. If you have specific examples where OCDEL programs could coordinate better, or reduce duplication of effort, please share those examples. All comments and suggestions will be considered, however, responses will not be provided for every email received.
New Staff Orientation Director's Guide released
Penn State Better Kid Care developed The New Staff Orientation Director's Guide to help directors support new  staff as they complete the New Staff Orientation modules. The Director's Guide guides new Directors in Keystone STARS programs to meet the orientation requirements and contains support resources, including a list of all the resource handouts that new staff must complete and staff-director discussion guides. The success of orienting new staff and developing a quality team starts with the program director. Click here to access the guide.
Pennsylvania Early Learning Professional Award Recipients
Thirteen Pennsylvania early learning professionals were selected as award recipients of the Terri Lynne Lokoff/Children's TYLENOL� National Child Care Teacher  Awards. This award acknowledges the critical role of child care teachers in providing quality early care and education. As part of the application process, each applicant was asked to design a classroom enhancement project for the children they teach illustrating the educational, social, and emotional benefits of the project. Cynthia Bennett (North Wales), Jessica Breslin (Philadelphia), Ben Cady (Philadelphia), Sheila Clark (Pottstown), Carol Deloglos (Pittsburgh), Mandy Gutshall (Carlisle), Demita Hill (Philadelphia), Janet Mulholland (Broomall), Julie Porta (Monroeville), Debra Ross (Harleysville), Jamie Weaver (Pittsburgh), Heidi Weinstein (Philadelphia) and Erin Wise (Denver) were the Pennsylvania recipients. Bennett, Cady, and Deloglos were also among those who recieved the top ten scores of the National Child Care Teacher Awards and are eligible to apply for the Helene Marks Award and to be named the National Child Care Teacher of the Year. Click to get more information. Share free Early Learning GPS materials during Week of the Young Child Events!
Are you planning celebrations for Week of the Young Child (April 10-16)? Now is the time to order free materials promoting the Early Learning GPS. The Early Learning GPS is an interactive online tool where families answer up to 10  questions for great tips and reliable resources on helping their child learn and grow. Families can create a free map for each child to follow his milestones, save fun activities that will help him learn and grow, and compare child care programs. All information is from reliable sources like PA's Office of Child Development and Early Learning. Apps available for Apple, Android and Kindle. You can order free posters, bookmarks and table tents and download logos and banner ads from the Pennsylvania's Promise for Children website. Grunewald and Hardy featured on Quality Early Learning Radio
 Rob Grunewald, economist for the Federal Bank Reserve of Minneapolis, MN, was the February guest on Quality Early Learning Radio. Also as a guest was Wendy Hardy, EdD, an assistant professor of education at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Click here to listen to what they each have to say about importance and impact of early learning.
Future guests include March 4, Nick Scott, Vice President in charge of operations and development at his third-generation family-owned business, Scott Enterprises of Erie, and March 18 guest Betsy Bort, Vice President of commercial lending for ERIEBANK in Erie.
Take the Usability Survey for Students Using the PD Registry
Deadline Extended to March 21
Users of the PA Key's Professional Development registry are invited to participate in a brief survey about the Professional Development Registry! With a mission to continuously improve  the PD Registry, responses to this survey will help OCDEL and the PA Key evaluate the effectiveness of the site and will help ensure that the information on the website meets the needs of users. Your participation in the survey is voluntary and all responses will be kept confidential. This survey will be brief and will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Click here to take the survey.
Upcoming Deadlines
Click here to find OCDEL Stakeholder Engagement opportunities.
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CIZ Grantees Moving ForwardThe Community Innovation Zone (CIZ) grantees are moving forward in their outreach and collaboration efforts. Recent highlights include: - Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool (Blair County): Increasing awareness of local resources and the importance of collaboration in during the vital early learning years.
- Bradford Area School District (McKean County): Sharing instructional practices and promoting cross-sector collaboration, and customizing the after school learning experience for struggling students.
- Cen-Clear Child Services (Clearfield County): Creating an environment where all children who are living in the Clearfield Area School District have access to a quality education that is characterized by family and community engagement alike, as well as improving literacy skills by getting books into children's homes, and encouraging parents to read with their children.
- Greater Johnstown School District (Cambria County): Supporting families in accessing child care, transportation, supplemental food vouchers, and job training.
- Tyrone Area School District (Blair County): Addressing the common needs and outcomes for children ages birth to 5 such as curriculum, instruction, professional development, supplies, and community/parent engagement activities.
Click here for more details on these efforts.
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Creating a Healthy School Environment Grant
Creating a Healthy School Environment Grant is offered via  The Highmark Foundation for PA schools. Pennsylvania Public School Districts: Grants up to $10,000 will be awarded to 20 Districts implementing programs that improve access to quality school-based health and wellness programs. PA Private, Charter, Vocational & Parochial Schools: Mini-grants up to $5,000 will be awarded to 20 non-public school buildings. Click here for info.
Month of the Military Child Creative Arts Contest
Penn State Extension Military Youth Program, in partnership  with the American Legion Auxiliary, has announced the Fifth Annual Eyes of a Military Child Creative Arts Contest. This event is open to military-connected children and youth through 12th grade. Submissions will be exhibited at Month of the Military Child Celebrations throughout the month of April. Click here for more info.
The Kids Trust Funding Opportunity
Deadline April 1
The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) is currently accepting proposals for grants available through The Kids Trust. This annual competitive grantmaking program is for nonprofit organizations providing programs and services for children of abuse and their families in the counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York. The average grant award is $2,500. Applicants should submit proposals that are designed to support child-focused projects within the confines of existing agency programs. Click here for info.
2016 Let's Move Pittsburgh Champion Schools Awards
Application deadline April 1
Let's Move Pittsburgh, with support from The Heinz Endowments, has announced the 2016 Champion Schools  Awards to help every childcare center, pre-kindergarten and elementary school in Allegheny County become a healthier place for kids to learn and grow. Childcare centers must be licensed and participate in the Keystone STARS. New or existing programs geared towards children's health and well-being are eligible to apply. Click here for info.Family & Children's Services of Lebanon County Grant
Deadline April 1The Family and Children's Services Fund of Lebanon County, is accepting applications from nonprofit, social service agencies in support of projects which serve families and children in Lebanon County. Applicants must either be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, or have a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization act as a fiscal sponsor for the proposed project. Funds may be used to initiate new programs, expand or improve existing programs, fund a strategic planning process, or offer special professional development opportunities for members of your staff. Click here for info.
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Growing Up with Undocumented Parents: The Challenges Children Face
Children in the U.S. with immigrant parents account for around a quarter of all children under age 8. How are children of  undocumented immigrants impacted by their parents' immigration status? To answer this question, a recent report and webinar by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) examined a host of risk factors that children of undocumented parents face at higher levels than U.S. children and children of immigrants overall. Researchers concluded that growing up with undocumented immigrant parents presents children with clear, multi-faceted disadvantages. Click here to read the report.
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Including All Families in Community Events: A recording is available of the February 17, 2016 Early Learning  Networking Call featuring guest, Nicole Golden, Consultant for Include Me who shared resources, tips, and techniques for including all families in community events and outreach efforts. Highlights include resources for reaching families experiencing autism, deafness, and hard of hearing.
February edition of Baby Talk: Camille Catlett's February edition of Baby Talk includes info and resources on why touch, play and support are vital to a child's well-being, how babies use their tongues to understand speech, and how a video parent feedback program improves school readiness of children in poverty. These resources and more.
Mandated Reporter Training: PA Family Support Alliance  is offering no-cost mandated reporting training. On-site training is fully approved by the Dept. of Education, Human Services, and State.
I am Moving, I am Learning Interactive Tool: The I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IMIL) tool from Head Start is filled  with quick and easy ideas for integrating movement, nutrition, and healthy habits into everyday life. It may be used by home visitors, classroom teachers, and other caregivers. Learn to add more movement into art and how to enhance nutrition concepts in group or circle time.
Grant for Medical Help for Families from United Healthcare Children's Foundation: Does a child in your life qualify for up to $10,000 in medical grants? Qualifying  families may receive up to $5,000 per child, per year ($10,000 lifetime max). The funds help pay for medical treatment, services or equipment such as surgeries, counseling, prescription medications, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses, hearing aids and physical, occupational and speech therapies. Share this resource with families!
Sharing Wordless Picture Books: Sharing wordless books is a terrific way to build important literacy skills, including  listening skills, vocabulary, comprehension and an increased awareness of how stories are structured. The article from Reading Rockets offers tips on how to bring wordless books alive. There is also a link to a collection of wordless (or nearly wordless!) picture books.
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Employment Opportunities
Seeking employment in the Early Childhood Education field?
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March-May:
March 22-25:
April 5:
April 17:
May 21:
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