National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day 2017 will be observed by more than 150 national organizations and 1,100 communities across the country on May 4, 2017. Awareness Day 2017 will focus on the importance of integrating children's mental, emotional, and physical health. During the event, best practices in communication between behavioral health providers, primary care, youth, and families, as well as evidence-based community programs, will be showcased.  

In support of Awareness Day 2017, the Office of Head Start (OHS), the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), and Youth M.O.V.E. (Motivating Others Through Voices of Experience) National are reaching out through their networks to children, youth, and young adults ages 3-25 and inviting them to create artwork addressing the theme: "I am a work of art." The digital art exhibition will celebrate the important role of art and creativity in mental health and wellness. It also emphasizes a holistic view of children's health. See the announcement for information on criteria and how to submit art. 

Save the Date: 2017 P-3 Governor's Institute

The Pennsylvania Department of Education's Office of Child Development and Early Learning has announced the 2017 Prenatal to Grade 3 (P-3) Governor's Institute: P-3 Collaboration - Working Together for Student Success. The P-3 Governor's Institute aims to help school districts, early learning providers, and community organizations throughout the commonwealth make the vital connections and collaborations necessary for student success from prenatal through grade 3. The 2017 P-3 Governor's Institutes will be offered regionally:

• June 27-29 at the Marriott in Cranberry
• July 11-13 at the Sky Top Lodge in the Poconos
• July 31- August 2 at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey

Get more info on the details so you'll be ready when registration opens! 

This initiative is a part of Pennsylvania's Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge grant. For more information on other initiatives funded by this grant, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education website.

• Mid-State Training List - December 2016
• Being Proactive- Supervision 12/14/16 in Hershey
  
• Mind in the Making - starts 12/19/16 in State College
• Advocacy Beyond Basics - Boalsburg 12/12/16
  
• Engaging School Boards - Williamsport 1/17/17
• Family Child Care Conference - February 17th 
• Generational Differences 1/12/17 at CAECTI
• Learning to Lead 1/26/17 at CAECTI
• Generational Differences 2/21/17 in Lancaster
  

Core Series Training

• STARS Orientation in Lititz - Part I on 12/12 and Part II on 12/14, both from 6-9.
• STARS Orientation in Harrisburg on 1/19 - Part 1 from 9-12 and Part II from 12:30-3:30.
• CKC 1/19/17 in Lancaster

Other Training Organizations & Online Training 

• Northampton online Workshops 
  
• HACC Training List
• Early Childhood Investigations Webinar schedule 
  
  

New On Demand Modules Available: Better Kid Care
For school-age professionals:
PYD Foundations: Youth Engagement
Learn how to build a program that authentically engages youth, and explore examples of successful youth engagement experiences.

For family child care professionals:
Family Child Care: Engaging Experiences for Mixed Abilities
Learn specific strategies to plan and facilitate exciting experiences for a group of children who have a wide range of interests and abilities. Includes activities in a variety of learning areas.

For early care professionals:
Adverse Childhood Experiences: Building Resilience
Discover the role of early care and education professionals in nurturing resilience in the children and families in their care who experience ACEs.

I Am Moving, I Am Learning - Take It Outside!
For happier, healthier, and stronger children, plus to maintain healthy body weight, discover ways to encourage children to get outside, get moving, and connect with the natural world.

I Am Moving, I Am Learning - Active Play Every Day!
This lesson explores the importance of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in order to promote healthy habits in children. Discover ways to encourage children to get moving, and be physically active.
 
Picky Eaters: A Guide to Responsive Feeding
This module explores ways to incorporate responsive feeding techniques beginning in infancy to develop healthy eating behaviors in children who may experience sensory issues and neophobia with food. 

Language Preference in PD Registry                         Here is how users can choose their language preference:       . Login as a student                                                                . On the top bar choose the Language drop-down     .          . Choose a language

STEM Graphing with Legos                                          Here is an easy way to encourage  children to to get to know one another and practice math skills at the same time. Each day, post a question for children to answer. Then as they arrive after school, children can answer by graphing their responses using Legos or other  cubes. Questions could be informational like the  number of people in your household, or more thought  provoking questions like “Would you rather  have $100 to keep  or $1000 to give away?" The results can be an opportunity to  deepen children’s understanding about data, and even encourage them to generate their own questions  for the group to investigate.  

PennAEYC Voice Awards                                             Save the date for April 7th at the Hershey Lodge. 

Shared Sources                                                            Now available - shopping lists from various vendors for ITERS, ECERS & FCCERS.  Click Here

1,000 T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships Available
Do you want to earn your Child Development Associate (CDA)? Do your goals include receiving an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood? Have you wanted to work on your Pennsylvania Certification in early childhood education, but just haven't had the resources? 

The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA), in partnership with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) have available more than 1,000 T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) scholarships for eligible professionals in DHS-certified Keystone STARS programs. Scholarships are available for CDA Credentials, CDA Assessment Fees, Associate's and Bachelor's degrees as well as PA Teacher Certification in early childhood education.

Get more information or download an application at PACCA's website. Questions? Contact a T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Counselor at 717-657-9000.

Anti-Bias Published in EdWeek
Anti-bias teaching, inclusive practice, and cultural competence are critical competencies for early childhood educators. Recently, Teri Talan co-authored a letter to the editor on implicit bias, which was published by Education Week. The letter details how National Louis University (NLU) threads culturally relevant pedagogy through all of its coursework.