March 5, 2010

Trends and Reports

• The Costs of Disinvestment: Why States Can’t Afford to Cut Smart Early Childhood Programs
• Exploring the research on how infants and toddlers grow and learn
• Media-rich curriculum in the classroom may aid in developing early literacy skills
• Briefing finds heavy economic impact on single mothers 

OCDEL Corner

• Pennsylvania Named as Finalist in Federal 'Race to the Top' School Reform Competition
• OCDEL Power Point 2010 Now Available
• Release of Transition Toolkit
• The Children's Trust Fund RFA #01-10
• Pennsylvania’s One Book Every Young Child Initiative 

In the Community

• In Pennsylvania, older adults are mobilizing to help others
• Perry County Early Care and Education launches new brochure for transitioning students
• Lebanon County partnerships develop early learning teacher support packs
• Math with Mother Goose in Lycoming County
• Treasures of Greene County

Upcoming Events

• 2010 Events
• National Association of Child Care Resources & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) 2010 National Policy Symposium - March 9 - March 13, 2010 - Washington, DC
• Workshop for Early Intervention Families, March 13 or April 15, 22 & 29, 2010 - Pittsburgh
• Healthy Smiles, Happy Children: A Dentist for Every Child Oral Health Forum, March 19, April 9 and May 7 - Various Locations
• Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Day, March 20 - Pittsburgh
• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) 2010 Annual Convention and Exposition, April 8, 2010 - April 11, 2010 - Houston, Texas
• Director's Roundtable:  Advocacy in Action: Preparing for Action Day, April 16, 2010 - Lancaster
• 2010 Education Summit, April 24, 2010 - California, PA
• 44th PAEYC Conference - Creativity: Where the Future Begins,  May 14 –15, 2010 - Pittsburgh, PA

Higher Education

• Early Childhood Education:  Child Care Health Advocate 

Employment Opportunities

• New Early Head Start Program - Community Services of Venango County, Inc.
• Various Available Positions - Heaven Sent Academy

Resources

• Look what's new in Learning is Everywhere for March!
• Use Words to Teach Words

Funding Opportunities

• Beveridge Family Teaching Prize
• Landmarks of American History and Culture: Workshops for School Teachers
• Win a Classroom Makeover worth $10,000!
• Improving Literacy Through School Libraries 
• Child Care and Job Training Programs Funded through the Ms. Foundation for Women
• Motorola Foundation Commits $7.5 Million for U.S. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education Programs
• BJ’s Charitable Foundation Community Impact Grants 
• Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) Inclusion Champion Award
• Bureau of Autism Services 2010 Family and Individual Mini-Grants 
• Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation

Trends and Reports

The Costs of Disinvestment: Why States Can’t Afford to Cut Smart Early Childhood Programs

The Partnership for America’s Economic Success has issued a new issue brief entitled The Costs of Disinvestment: Why States Can’t Afford to Cut Smart Early Childhood Programs, which argues that states can save money and stimulate their economies by protecting funding for effective pre-kindergarten and home visiting programs. The brief presents evidence showing that investing in early childhood programs is fundamental to achieving a globally competitive workforce and fiscal sustainability for states and the nation.  One program highlighted for their reduction of costly grade retention and special education services was the Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts program. Cutting effective early childhood programs hurts states now. When public resources are stretched thin, essential programs for young children often lose out in the budget process. Budget cuts that deprive children of a strong developmental start mean society and taxpayers lose, too.  Investments in early child development benefit states now. This year, policy makers in every state are forced to make hard choices. Priority must go to programs whose demonstrated economic and societal benefits, based on solid research, save money now and generate future revenue.

To view the complete brief, please visit the website of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Exploring the research on how infants and toddlers grow and learn

In The Science and Psychology of Infant-Toddler Care: How an Understanding of Early Learning Has Transformed Child Care (Zero to Three, November 2009, Volume 30, No. 2), author and ZERO TO THREE Board Member, J. Ronald Lally explores recent research on how infants and toddlers grow and learn. This research has provided compelling evidence for child care practices that support healthy development. Learn about six important approaches to care that support optimal development: helping infants form secure attachments; supporting positive identity formation; incorporating family practices; accommodating developmental differences; engaging in responsive caregiving; and using reflective curriculum planning.

To view the full article, please visit the ZERO TO THREE website (pdf).

Media-rich curriculum in the classroom may aid in developing early literacy skills

A recent study from the Education Development Center, Inc. and SRI International found that preschool children who participated in a media-rich curriculum incorporating public television video and games into classroom instruction develop the early literacy skills critical for success in school. These foundational skills — being able to name letters, knowing the sounds associated with those letters, and understanding basic concepts about stories and print — all increased among the 4- and 5-year-olds in the study. These preschoolers were from traditionally economically disadvantaged communities where children are often far less prepared for school than their more affluent peers.

This study reports that preschool teachers who implement a curriculum that integrates video content with teacher-led activities can improve their students’ early literacy skills. Given training and support in classroom activities to reinforce the skills presented in the videos, the teachers were able to conduct the curriculum successfully and help their students learn. This is noteworthy because the teachers in the study were similar to many preschool teachers serving low-income communities: They had little prior training in literacy instruction and worked in schools with limited access to curriculum materials of proven effectiveness.

To view the complete study results, please visit the website for the Education Development Center, Inc. (pdf).

Briefing finds heavy economic impact on single mothers

A recent briefing from the Institute for Women's Policy Research, The Female Face of Poverty and Economic Insecurity: The Impact of the Recession on Women in Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh MSA, demonstrates the rate of unemployment for women who maintain households in Pennsylvania has more than doubled between 2007 and 2009, rising from 5 percent to 11 percent.  Food stamp enrollment has increased by 31 percent.

Highlights of the briefing include Pennsylvania specific information and statistics on female headed households and females in the workforce, as well as recommendations as to how jobs programs and poverty relief should be targeted to single mothers.

To view the complete report, please visit the website for the Institute for Women's Policy Research (pdf).

OCDEL Corner

Pennsylvania Named as Finalist in Federal 'Race to the Top' School Reform Competition

Pennsylvania's strategies for improving public education have helped it emerge as a finalist in the highly competitive "Race to the Top" federal grant competition, Governor Edward G. Rendell and Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak said on March 4, 2010.

The commonwealth was selected as one of only 16 finalists from 41 applications submitted to the U.S. Department of Education.  If Pennsylvania is among the winners that are expected to be announced in April, it could receive up to $400 million in federal funds to support education reforms.  In the coming weeks, Pennsylvania and other finalist states will meet with federal education leaders to present the case for their respective reforms. Race to the Top grant recipients are expected to be announced in April.

Pennsylvania's Race to the Top application proposes a combination of tools and strategies that will not only help struggling students and schools, but also benefit each of the nearly 1.8 million students in all 500 districts.  Part of Pennsylvania's application is a pilot of kindergarten Early Learning Network.

"We believe the vision outlined in our Race to the Top application can result in Pennsylvania doubling its rate of improvement in student achievement by 2014," the secretary said. "This will mean another 100,000 students attaining proficiency in math and reading and nearly 10,000 more students graduating each year."

Dr. Zahorchak said the strength of Pennsylvania's Race to the Top application is based not only in the reforms outlined, but also in the strong participation of local education leaders. In order to participate in Pennsylvania's Race to the Top application, a school district's superintendent, school board president, and local teacher's union president were required to sign an agreement committing to implement required activities and to meeting student achievement targets. Pennsylvania's application included agreements from 120 school districts and 59 charter schools.

Pennsylvania's application also included letters of support from more than 130 individuals and entities from across Pennsylvania, including federal and state lawmakers, mayors, business leaders and educators.  The Race to the Top grant competition represents the largest discretionary funding effort for education reform ever made available by the federal government -- $4.3 billion nationwide. The grants are not formula-based, but rather will be awarded to states that show the strongest strategies and coordinated commitments to reform.

For additional information, please view the complete press release (pdf).

OCDEL Power Point 2010 Now Available

Get access to information about what's going on in the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and OCDEL programs!  Take a look at why quality early learning is important to all Pennsylvania children, and how the goals of OCDEL’s programs and services demonstrate the importance of a birth-5 system of quality early learning.  Access research and quotes that highlight the benefits of quality early learning to children, families and communities.  See how Pennsylvania (and the United States) compares to others around education, and the progress being made on behalf of Pennsylvania's children.
 
The OCDEL Power Point Presentation is designed so the user can pull different sections and summary slides for areas for specific presentations or to use in its entirety. A helpful user's guide can assist with finding specific information within the Power Point.  To view the OCDEL Power Point Presentation (available also in pdf), as well as the User's Guide, please visit the PA Key website.

Release of Transition Toolkit

The OCDEL Transition Tool Kit is now available!  The Transition Tool Kit provides an overview of transition practices in Pennsylvania, as well as nationally and includes supportive research to assist groups in support of children transitioning from pre-kindergarten to kindergarten.  The toolkit also provides tips, suggestions, documents and resources to support and improve transition activities in communities.  A template for creating a transition team and organizing a year-long approach is also included.

The Transition Toolkit has been distributed to each school district and Community Engagement Group, as well as PA Pre-K Counts, Head Start and Keystone STARS programs.  The Tool Kit is also available on the PA Key website under Early Learning in PA – Tools and Resources.  For additional information, please contact Becky Blahus at rblahus@state.pa.us.

The Children's Trust Fund RFA #01-10

Deadline:  April 14, 2010
The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF), through the Department of Public Welfare (DPW), Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), will issue Request for Application (RFA) #01-10 on March 1, 2010 on the Department of General Services’ website (enter Solicitation #: 01-10) for grants to begin in November 2010.

The purpose of the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) grants, which operate under the administration of the CTF Board and the Department of Public Welfare (DPW), is to promote innovative and creative primary and secondary child abuse and neglect prevention programs in community-based settings in order to prevent the first occurrence of abuse and neglect of children in the Commonwealth. Any community-based organization located and operating in Pennsylvania that provides direct services and meets specific criteria discussed within the RFA is eligible to apply for a CTF grant.

For additional information, please see the document, The Children's Trust Fund RFA #01-10 (pdf).

Pennsylvania’s One Book Every Young Child Initiative

The 2010 One Book, Every Young Child selection is What a Treasure! by Jane and Will Hillenbrand.  Since the book was published in 2006, children have been accompanying Mole on his dig as he discovers exciting treasures for both his animal friends and for himself.  During the month of April and especially during Week of the Young Child (April 11-17, 2010), volunteers read to children in early learning programs across the commonwealth.  This is the fifth year for this program highlighting the importance of early literacy development in preschoolers. 

For more information about events happening in your areas, please visit the website of Pennsylvania One Book for Every Young Child.  For more information about One Book, Every Young Child, please contact Jessica Sands in the Bureau of Early Learning, OCDEL at jsands@state.pa.us.

In the Community

In Pennsylvania, older adults are mobilizing to help others

The February 18, 2010 edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette featured a Letter to the Editor (pdf) from Yvonne Thompson-Friend, State Coordinator for Generations United's Pennsylvania Seniors4Kids, in response to a recent article by David Brooks.  Thompson-Friend reinforced that older adults in Pennsylvania contribute their wisdom and experience in the public sphere, as grandparents raising grandchildren, Foster Grandparents and Experience Corps volunteers.  Her letter highlighted how adults age 50 and older can advocate for quality early childhood education, as well as advocate for policies that reflect the value of this investment in the future. States Thompson-Friend, "Our (volunteers) are clear that investment in quality early education offers one of the highest returns for the economy, communities and families."

For additional information, please visit the website for Generations United's Pennsylvania Seniors4Kids.

Perry County Early Care and Education launches new brochure for transitioning students

Perry County Early Care and Education is pleased to announce the publication of a county-wide Kindergarten readiness brochure, Kindergarten Here I Come (pdf), aimed at students transitioning from pre-k to kindergarten developed by Kindergarten teachers, principals, and school support staff .  A collaborative effort by all four of Perry County’s school districts, this brochure will be a guide to help families know what kinds of things to work on with their child as they prepare to enter Kindergarten.  This brochure will be available to parents at Kindergarten registrations, public events, Transition to School activity nights, child care facilities, and many other locations in Perry County.
 
For additional information about the brochure and the early education work being conducted in Perry County, please contact Karen Barlup at ece@pa.net.

Lebanon County partnerships develop early learning teacher support packs

Child care students and members of Family, Career and Community Leaderships of America from Lebanon County Career and Technology Center (CTC) have been working collaboratively with Lebanon County libraries, Quality Early Learning, Lebanon Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (LVAEYC), Luthercare Mentoring Van and Harrisburg Area Community College's (HACC) Lebanon Campus to create teacher packs to be available for borrowing from the local libraries.

LVAEYC and Quality Early Learning coordinator Betty Holsopple received a grant from the Foundation for Enhancing Communities, Greater Harrisburg Foundation fund to support the teacher packs. Kathy Felty's HACC students selected books and designed activities to be used by local teachers and child-care providers. After the library ordered the books and teaching materials, Sandy Klingler's CTC students added extra reading lists, Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards to the activities and designed the reference books for each county library. Distribution of the packs should begin this spring.

For additional information, please contact Betty Hoslopple at 717-450-1513 or margaret_holsopple@iu13.org.

Math with Mother Goose in Lycoming County

The James V. Brown Library will be hosting the exhibit, Mother Goose Math: Rhyme & Arithmetic (pdf) in Williamsport, PA, in the North Room of the Kathryn Siegel Welch Children’s Wing of the library from April through June.  Mother Goose Math is a hands-on, interactive exhibit from the Children’s Museum of Cleveland that brings to life scenes and images from popular nursery rhymes. In the various components of Mother Goose Math, children will use reading to explore mathematics. This exhibit, and the nursery rhyme theme, provides an excellent tool through which complex topics can be simplified and taught to children of all ages. Mother Goose Math is a hands-on, interactive exhibit from the Children's Museum of Cleveland that brings to life scenes and images from popular nursery rhymes.  In the various components of Mother Goose Math, children will use reading to explore mathematics. The exhibit, and the nursery rhyme theme, provides an excellent tool through which complex topics can be simplified and taught to children of all ages.  The funding for the exhibit was made possible through the Lycoming County Community Engagement Group and will be on display April-June 2010.

For additional information about the exhibit, or about the Lycoming County Community Engagement Group, please contact Jennifer Bolich at 570-323-9448 or jenniferbolich@yahoo.com.

Treasures of Greene County
 
The Greene County Community Engagement Group held a Provider Celebration, entitled “What a Treasure” on January 21, 2010, which played upon the theme selected for the PA One Book, Every Young Child Initiative. The celebration was held to highlight “What a Treasure” the child care providers are to the young children of Greene County and celebrate their continued commitment to early childhood education throughout the 2009-2010 budget impasse.  Approximately one third of the registered child care providers in Greene County attended this event.
 
The providers were addressed by the Greene County Board of Commissioners representative, Archie Trader and guest speaker, Dr. Howard Robertson, an Education Consultant for Jefferson-Morgan School District. The attendees were treated to dinner and drawings for a variety of donated door prizes.   The celebration was a huge success as Green County continues to “treasure” these special individuals.
 
For additional information about the Greene County Community Engagement Team, please contact Angie L. VanDyne at 724-852-5276 ext. 522 or avandyne@co.greene.pa.us.

Upcoming Events

2010

• March 9:  PSAYDN Quality Forum, 717-763-1661 x 227 - Harrisburg
• March 15:  What Does Time Mean to Children?, 717-263-9226 - Chambersburg
• March 15:  Fighting Children's Obesity Through Active Play, 717-270-4391 - Lebanon
• March 15:  Mandated Reporting - Child Abuse & Neglect, 1-877-349-4850 X-1169 - Washington, PA
• March 16:  Devouring Books:  Recipes for Read Aloud Success, 215-686-5372 - Philadelphia
• March 16:  Games, Games, Games, 610-617-4550 option 4 - Media, PA
• March 16:  Promoting Family Mealtimes, 570-327-4775 - Lewisburg
• March 25:  The Philadelphia Foundation Open House
• March 16-17:   Parent Education and Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center 4th annual conference “Building Communities of Peace, Harmony and Respect” - Mars, PA
• March 23:  Exploring Learning Styles - Bellwood, (814) 946-0417 x156
• March 24:  Early Learning Advocacy Network Meeting, 610-253-5376 - Bethlehem, PA
• March 30:  Bridging the Gap Seminar, judiuwac@centurylink.net - Gettysburg
• April 9-10:   Building Blocks Conference IX - Youngwood, PA
• April 11-17:  Week of the Young Child
• April 20:  Wyoming County Community Education Fair - Tunkhannock

If you are hosting an event, please submit it to the PA Promise for Children website to help spread the word. Your event will show up on the Early Education in my County page.

Find out how you can submit an event to the PA Promise for Children website (pdf)!

National Association of Child Care Resources & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) 2010 National Policy Symposium - March 9 - March 13, 2010 - Washington, DC

NACCRRA's Policy Symposium brings together more than 600 child care resource and referral professionals, early care and education experts, researchers, and other early childhood education authorities to Washington, D.C. on an annual basis. The Symposium features innovative sessions on the latest policy, research and practice developments in child care and CCR&R. It also offers a forum for policy analysis and discussion, examination of latest research, high-quality training, peer networking, visits to legislators and resources dissemination.

Anticipating more than 600 participants from across the nation, NACCRRA's Policy Symposium will feature sessions on the latest policy, research, and practice developments in child care and child care resource and referral.

For additional information, please visit the website of National Association of Child Care Resources & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA).

Workshop for Early Intervention Families, March 13 or April 15, 22 & 29, 2010 - Pittsburgh

Early Intervention Families is a workshop for families by families. The intent of this workshop is to empower families, whose children, age birth through 5, receive Early Intervention services.

All of the workshop leaders are family members raising children with special needs. They carry with them many years of experience in acquiring services and resources for their children. They have an understanding of how systems work, and will share their knowledge with other families.  New family workshop leaders are always welcome. Families who participate in “EI Families” are eligible to become family workshop leaders.

Workshop Topics Include:

• Parenting A Child With Developmental Delays
• Creating A Plan For Your Family’s & Child’s Future
• The Legislative Background of Early Intervention and The Parent Movement (including: LRE, FAPE and Transition)
• Promising Practices
• Inclusion
• Family Centered Practices
• Parent/Professional Partnerships
• Finding Community Resources

The workshops will be held Saturday, March 13, 2010, 9:30 am until 4:00 pm, Northland Library (North Hills), 300 Cumberland Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 OR Thursday Evening Series, April 15, 22 and 29, 2010, 6:30 pm until 9:00 pm, ACHIEVA (South Side), 711 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203.

Please RSVP no later than 1 week prior to the workshop by contacting Stephanie Scanlon at 412-325-4278, or Julie Hladio at 412-885-6000 ext. 3136.

Healthy Smiles, Happy Children: A Dentist for Every Child Oral Health Forum, March 19, April 9 and May 7 - Various Locations

The forum, Healthy Smiles, Happy Children: A Dentist for Every Child Oral Health Forum, will be held March 19 in Allentown, PA, April 9 in Philipsburg, PA, and May 7 in New Castle, PA.  All forums are 9:00 AM - 3:15 PM, and a light lunch is provided.

The Forums will bring together oral health providers and Head Start programs to learn about each other and work more effectively together and provide peer to peer oral health provider mentoring and opportunities to learn about best practices in oral health and Head Start.

For the Forums to be truly effective, Head Start programs should recruit oral health providers in their area that they wish to collaborate with and bring them to the forum!  If you don't currently have a relationship with an oral health provider in your area, seek one out and invite them to attend with you!  Programs should fill out a separate registration form for each participant, including any oral health providers that they will be bringing.  When registering an oral health provider, please use their contact information (address, phone & email) and put your program's name in the program/agency box to indicate that they will be participating as part of your team. 

Those interested may register online.  For additional information, please contact Karen Grimm-Thomas, Pennsylvania Head Start Association at 717-526-4646.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Day, March 20 - Pittsburgh

March 20, 2010 is Fred Rogers’ birthday, and once again Pittsburghers and people around the country will be celebrating the day by wearing a favorite sweater – and doing something neighborly.  Institutions like libraries and museums are being neighborly by opening their doors for free and discounted admission.  They’re also planning family-friendly activities and Mister Rogers Sweater Drives. 

Everyone can be part of this celebration, too.  It’s a great way to honor Fred Rogers, one of Pennsylvania’s early childhood champions.  Check out the website for Family Communications to view additional information about Won't You Be My Neighbor Day, as well as the Caring Neighbor Checklist that can be downloaded and offered to families.  Also there is a Toolkit with lots of ideas and a children’s booklist. 

For additional information, please contact Family Communications at 412-687-2990.

National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) 2010 Annual Convention and Exposition, April 8, 2010 - April 11, 2010 - Houston, Texas

As an education leader, you have a substantial responsibility to ensure your school is a successful learning community.  Educators who are better prepared have the advantage—as do their schools and their students.  A strong leader builds a foundation for success.  The NAESP Annual Convention and Exposition is a premier provider for pre-K-8 principals to develop those critical leadership skills and share innovative approaches to common challenges and opportunities.  You and your school will reap the benefits of best practices, success stories, tools, and practical solutions from an extensive selection of educational sessions. You will also have the opportunity to turn your biggest challenges into your greatest accomplishments when you learn from experts in the field.

Participants at the NAESP convention will have the opportunity to develop critical leadership skills and share innovative approaches to common challenges and opportunities. Scheduled keynote speakers for the event are Christopher Gardner, Marlee Matlin, and Greg Mortenson.

For additional information, please visit the website of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).

Director's Roundtable:  Advocacy in Action: Preparing for Action Day, April 16, 2010 - Lancaster

The 2009 state budget crisis hit early childhood education hard. Despite unprecedented advocacy efforts and participation from classrooms and parents to the legislators, the budget impasse did not end until October. The cost of the legislature’s delayed decision made a major negative impact on programs, children, families, teachers, directors, and business owners throughout the state. We need to continue to assist legislators to understand the value of early childhood education to the local economy, working families, and children of a strong educational start, especially in a budget year that is even more challenging than last year.

With this fresh in our minds, please join the Lancaster Area Association for the Education of Young Children as we begin preparation for Early Childhood Action Day in Harrisburg on June 8, 2010. Learn more of how you, your staff, and families can make a local impact in your community and a regional impact in the state capital.

For additional information about the event, please refer to the flyer (pdf), or send an email to laaeyc@comcast.net.

2010 Education Summit, April 24, 2010 - California, PA

Presented by California University of PA and Community Action Southwest, the 2010 Education Summit will bring together professionals, community leaders and community members from Southwestern Pennsylvania to engage the community in resolving issues affecting the achievement gap. This conference will provide an exciting and innovative forum for exchange of practical knowledge and new strategies to set the educational agenda for the future of our communities.

Keynote Speaker is Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D.  Dr. Payne earned her B.A. from Goshen (IN) College, earned a master’s degree in English Literature from Western Michigan University and her doctorate in Educational Leadership & Policy from Loyola University in Illinois.

The 2010 Education Summit will be held Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Steele Auditorium, California University of PA, in California, PA.  There is a $50 Registration Fee (includes lunch).  For more information, please call 724-225-9550 ext. 404 or email akelvington@caswg.org.

44th PAEYC Conference - Creativity: Where the Future Begins,  May 14 –15, 2010 - Pittsburgh, PA

The Council on the Arts and Allegheny County Family Support Policy Board presents the 44th Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC) Conference, Creativity: Where the Future Begins, to be held May 14 –15, 2010 in Pittsburgh, PA.  The 44th PAEYC Conference is a collaboration of creativity with the Allegheny County Family Support Policy Board and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. For two days participants will celebrate, explore, think “without a box,” network with long-time colleagues and meet new partners.  This event is also an opportunity to celebrate the relationships participants have built with children and families and the positive impact made in their lives. Each day is an opportunity for creativity, imagination, play and innovation.

Keynote speakers include Bev Bos, the director and teacher at the Roseville Community Preschool in Roseville, California for over 40 years, and Michael Leeman, musician, editor and illustrator, and also employeed at the Roseville Community Preschool.

For additional information, including registration information, please visit the website of the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children.

Higher Education

Early Childhood Education:  Child Care Health Advocate

Northampton Community College offers a credit course (pdf) intended to prepare the child care practitioner to function in the role of a child care health advocate (CCHA).  The next series of courses are set to run early June through August 2010.

Early learning professionals can use the online Health Advocate course to acquire the knowledge and skills in the Keystone STARS Core Body of Knowledge Area 7, Health and Safety. Taking the course can help staff raise program Environmental Rating Scores in the health and safety area -- where they are consistently lowest. The course also helps develop the knowledge and skills for directors and lead teachers to work effectively with a child care health consultant when a health professional's expertise is required.  The currently enrolled spring 2010 class of 16 students and those from previous semesters over the past two years praise the practical value of the course in helping them improve their programs session by session as they implement what they are learning. Susan Aronson, MD developed the curriculum and Judith Rex RN, BC, MSN, Director of the Center for Healthcare Education teaches the course at Northampton Community College with input from early educator, pediatrician and nutrition colleagues.

All new students must complete an application to the college prior to registering and pay an application fee of $25.Applications may be obtained by calling the Admissions Office at 610-861-5500 or by visiting the website for the Northampton Community College. 

Employment Opportunities

New Early Head Start Program - Community Services of Venango County, Inc.

Early Head Start ERSEA Coordinator for Crawford County: Responsible for planning, developing, implementing, monitoring and coordinating all aspects of Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance (ERSEA) as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards. This is a full time, full year position for a Home Based Early Head Start program located in Crawford County. BA/BS Degree and three years experience in social work, human services, family services, or related experience preferred. Knowledge of Crawford County social service agencies and local programs along with computer skills, valid driver’s license and proof of insurance, as well as Act 34, 73 and 151 clearances required. Send letter of interest, resume and transcript to:  Early Head Start Director, Crawford Program, Community Services of Venango County, Inc., 206 Seneca St., Oil City, PA 16301.  EOE

Early Head Start Health Coordinator: BSN Degree required. Knowledge and training in pediatric and prenatal nursing preferred, along with three years experience in the health related field. Responsible for meeting Head Start Performance Standards relating to Health Services, Nutrition, Disabilities, and Safety.This is a full time, full year position for a Home Based Early Head Start located in Crawford County. Knowledge of Crawford County social service agencies and local programs along with computer skills, valid driver’s license and proof of insurance, as well as Act 34, 73 and 151 clearances required. Send letter of interest, resume and transcript  to:  Early Head Start Director, Crawford Program, Community Services of Venango County, Inc., 206 Seneca St. Oil City, PA 16301.  EOE

Early Head Start Administrative Assistant: Provide secretarial support to administrative staff, including special projects and data compilation. Excellent computer skills, organization, office management experience to assist in the daily functioning of the program along with knowledge of Crawford County social services a plus. Associate Degree in Business Administration or Business School Certificate preferred along with a minimum of two years experience. Act 34, 73 and 151 clearances required. Send letter of interest and resume to:  Early Head Start Director, Crawford Program, Community Services of Venango County, Inc., 206 Seneca St., Oil City, PA 16301.  EOE

Six Early Head Start Home Visitors: Provide in-home weekly early, continuous, intensive and comprehensive child development and family support services that will enhance the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children.  Provide prenatal education and promote healthy pregnancies.  Provide support for parents in their role as their child’s “first and best teacher and greatest advocate”. BA/BS in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Mental Health or related family services field.  Prior experience working with families and children in their home environment preferred. Knowledge of Crawford County social service agencies and local programs along with computer skills, valid driver’s license and proof of insurance, as well as Act 34, 73 and 151 clearances required. Send letter of interest, resume and transcript to:  Early Head Start Director, Crawford Program, Community Services of Venango County, Inc., 206 Seneca St., Oil City, PA 16301.  EOE

Various Available Positions - Heaven Sent Academy

Heaven Sent Academy, a private academic school in Susquehanna Township (Harrisburg) is seeking qualified individuals for the positions as follows:

• Director - Bachelors in ECE, EE or Human Service with Management Courses preferred.
• Pre-K Counts Teacher - Bachelors in ECE, Knowledge of PA Early Learning Standards and Computer skills required. PA Teacher’s Certification preferred. (Wages competitive with local school districts.
• Assistant Teachers - AA in ECE or related field.  Knowledge of PA Early Learning Standards and Computer skills required.

Small class sizes, vacation, sick and holiday pay.  Send resume and letter of interest (including salary request) to mjonesheavensent@aol.com.

Resources

Look what's new in Learning is Everywhere for March!

In the month of March, Learning is Everywhere explores fun learning activities for families in the bedroom.  Select a fun learning activity from the online list, or print your own copy from the calendar.  You'll find ways to bring the enjoyment of music into a clean-up activity, ways to use magazines or catalogues to establish a bedtime routine, and more!

Find out tips for making sure safety in a child's room doesn't stop at the door, and become familiar with the ways the Safe Kids Network can help keep your child safe in both your home and your vehicle.  Find the perfect song to use for everyday bedroom activities (including getting the little one off to sleep!), and it's always exciting to see what books the Pennsylvania Commonwealth librarians will recommend. 

For more information, visit the website for Learning is Everywhere.

Use Words to Teach Words

Students who comprehend the most from their reading are those who know a lot about words. These students know about word prefixes, suffixes, word roots, and multiple meanings of words. This knowledge expands their vocabulary, which helps when they encounter new words during reading. As students reach the upper elementary grades and the reading becomes more complex, word knowledge becomes even more important.

To discover ways families can help develop word knowledge through simple conversations focused on words, please visit the Reading Rocket website. 

Funding Opportunities

Beveridge Family Teaching Prize

Deadline:  March 15, 2010
Funded by the American Historical Association, the Beveridge Family Teaching Prize presents awards to recognize excellence and innovation in elementary, middle school, and secondary history teaching, including career contributions and specific initiatives. Average grant amount is $1,500.

For additional information, please visit the website for the American Historical Association.

Landmarks of American History and Culture: Workshops for School Teachers

Deadline:  March 16, 2010
Funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Landmarks of American History and Culture program supports series of one-week residence-based workshops for a national audience of K-12 educators. NEH Landmarks of American History and Culture workshops use historic sites to address central themes and issues in American history, government, literature, art, music, and other related subjects in the humanities. The goals of the workshops are to increase knowledge and appreciation of subjects, ideas, and places significant to American history and culture; provide teachers with expertise in the use and interpretation of historical sites and of material and archival resources; and encourage historical and cultural sites to develop greater capacity and scale for professional development programs. Average grant amount is $150,000 - $180,000.

For additional information, please visit the website for the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Win a Classroom Makeover worth $10,000!

Deadline:  March 26, 2010
Tell why you are America's "safest teacher" and win the ultimate classroom makeover! The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Honeywell will recognize teachers who have shown an exceptional commitment to child safety in the fifth annual Got 2B Safe! Awards program. Five Grand Prize winners will receive a classroom makeover and technology revamp worth $10,000!  Certified teachers currently employed as teachers at a public or accredited private school grades K-12 eligible to enter.

Log on to the Got 2B Safe website to tell your ideas on how to keep kids safer using the Got 2B Safe! Four Rules by March 26, 2010.  Teachers showing the greatest commitment to keeping children safer can receive Classroom Makeover worth $10,000 (Five Grand Prize winners) or School Supply Gift Certificate in the amount of $500 (100 winners).

Improving Literacy Through School Libraries

Deadline:  March 28, 2010
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, this program helps local education agencies (LEAs) improve reading achievement by providing students with increased access to up-to-date school library materials; well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media centers; and professionally certified school library media specialists. Average grant amount is $125,000 - $500.000.

For additional information, please visit the website for the U.S. Department of Education.

Child Care and Job Training Programs Funded through the Ms. Foundation for Women

Deadline:  March 29, 2010
The Ms. Foundation for Women builds women’s collective power across race and class to tackle the root causes of injustice and ignite progressive change for all. One of the Foundation's priorities is to ensure that women, particularly low-income women and women of color who have been disproportionately impacted by the economic recession, benefit to the greatest degree possible from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) implementation. Through the current Request for Proposals (RFP), the Foundation seeks to support two specific areas of ARRA implementation: expanding the availability of affordable child care and improving the quality of child care jobs; and securing training and job set-asides for women in emerging green sectors. Nonprofit organizations nationwide that address these issues are eligible to apply. Visit the Foundation’s website to submit an online application. 

Motorola Foundation Commits $7.5 Million for U.S. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education Programs
 
Deadline: April 1, 2010
The Motorola Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola, Inc., has announced that it will increase its 2010 giving to U.S. science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programs to a total of $7.5 million through its signature Innovation Generation grants program.  Innovation Generation Collaborative Grants will support medium- to large-scale STEM education collaborations between two or more nonprofit organizations, schools, and/or school districts, with joint requests ranging from $150,000 to $500,000 each. Funding priority will be placed on programs that engage students and teachers in innovative hands-on activities, teach STEM as well as develop innovative thinking and creative problem-solving skills, focus on girls and minorities that are currently underrepresented in the STEM disciplines, and take place in communities with Motorola employees.  At least 25 percent of total grant dollars will support new programming that has been operating for less than two years and is not simply an expansion of an existing program. At least 15 percent of total grant dollars will support environment-focused programming. 

For additional details, please visit the website of the Motorola Foundation.

BJ’s Charitable Foundation Community Impact Grants 

Deadline April 9, 2010 
BJ’s Charitable Foundation was founded with the goal of creating a positive, long-lasting impact on the communities the company serves. The mission of the Foundation is to enhance community programs that benefit children and families in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. The Foundation contributes the majority of its funding to nonprofit organizations that provide services to those in need in the form of hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, health care, and education. Requests are reviewed on a quarterly basis. 

For additional details, please visit the website of BJ's Charitable Foundation.

Bureau of Autism Services 2010 Family and Individual Mini-Grants

Deadline:  April 16, 2010
The Bureau of Autism Services of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare is pleased to announce the availability of mini-grants to support children and adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and families that include an individual with ASD. A focus of this project is to reach out and serve individuals and families that are not able to access existing support systems for various reasons (for example: eligibility criteria, age, waiting lists). The term "family" may include an immediate family member or other relative, a person providing foster care or a legal guardian or custodian, but does not include a person or entity who acts in a paid employment capacity. These grants are funding opportunities that will only be offered once and are time limited.

Applicants meeting eligibility requirements may apply for up to $500 in grant funds. Priority will be given to applicants who have not received a Bureau of Autism Services Mini-Grant in previous funding years. Total funding for these mini-grants is limited and is on a first come, first served basis; and not everyone who applies for this grant will be funded.

To view the complete guidelines, please visit the website of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.

Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) Inclusion Champion Award

Deadline:  May 1, 2010
The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) Inclusion Champion Award honors individuals who have made significant efforts to promote the full inclusion of youth with disabilities in society. The focus of the efforts may include, but is not limited to, helping to create a culture of inclusion within an organization or community or developing innovative strategies for inclusive programming in: school activities, after-school programs, community service, and leadership development.

The Inclusion Champion is selected each year by a panel of experts in the field, and is presented during the Kids Included Together (KIT) annual conference in April. The award consists of a trophy and $1,000 donated to the charity of the Champion′s choice.

For additional information, please visit the website for the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation

Deadline:  Rolling
The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in the United States and Canada that enhance the quality of life for children, families, and pets. The Foundation’s grant categories include children's health and wellness, domestic pets, and literacy and education. Individual project grants as well as organization program grants are provided. Priority is given to organizations located near Build-A-Bear Workshop stores.  Visit the Foundation’s website to review the funding guidelines for each of the grant categories.