Did you know that all families in the subsidized child care program pay a family co-pay each week? The co-pay is based on the family size and income.

Here are some important reminders related to the family copay:

If you have experienced reduced hours / income since you were authorized for CCW Funding please contact your assigned Family Specialist to discuss your reduced schedule and the possibilities of reducing your copay amount.

Did you know that as of September 1, 2020 all absences are being counted? Each child has a maximum of 40 days they can be absent from July 1 through June 30 each year. Beginning with the 41st day the parent /caregiver is responsible to pay the provider the full daily rate for each absence.

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL) has envisioned, funded and expanded a very exciting program, the Infant Toddler Contracted Slots Program. This program is available in several locations throughout Crawford, Erie, Mercer and Venango Counties. The Infant Toddler Contracted Slots Program (ITCSP) will reduce the time that infants & toddlers spend on the subsidy waiting list while ensuring that childcare providers have the resources and supports that they need to achieve and maintain high quality services.

Children ranging from 6 weeks to 36 months who are eligible for Child Care Works (CCW-subsidized child care) are eligible for enrollment into the ITCSP. Click here to learn more or call the ELRC at 1-800-860-2281.

Where would we be without GPS?

Whether it is AAA, Garmin, Waze or Google, many of us have become reliant upon some sort of device to assist us on our travels. We have found that it is safer and easier to get from “Point A” to “Point B” if we have a roadmap, a guide or someone to help us understand what we should expect to encounter ahead of us.

In addition to working with your childcare provider there is a tool available to help guide parents through the world of child development. The Early Childhood GPS (Guiding Parents Smoothly) provides helpful resources related to your child’s age range (Infants: Birth -12 months, Toddlers: 13 to 36 months, or Preschool: 3-4 years old). Click here for more information about how to get started with your Early Learning GPS!

ELRC Region 1 is happy to announce the return of Parent Cafes to our region. What is a Parent Café you may ask? A Parent Café is a peer-to-peer learning process where parents and caregivers talk about the challenges and victories of raising a family. During the cafe participants explore their strengths, learn about the five Protective Factors, and create strategies from their own wisdom and experiences to help strengthen their families.

This year, due to the pandemic, the teams in our region will offer Parent Cafés online.

The ELRC will host our first Virtual Parent Café on January 21, 2021. More details will be on our website on the Events tab in the near future.

During COVID-19 we have all been hearing that the safest place to be is home. Sadly, for some members of our community that is not true. For them, home can be a scary place. A dangerous place. If you know of someone that is in need of support to get to a safe place and it is an emergency please call 911. You can also share the following numbers according to where they currently live.

The Erie Art Museum is expanding their Second Sundays from home. Every Sunday spend time with your family while we are all safe at home. The Erie Art Museum will share cool projects that use items from around the house that you can do at home! Click here to look for a new craft every Sunday.

We have all been told, the best place to be during the pandemic is outside. Asbury Woods offers many opportunities for families to get outside, learn and have fun together.

Drop in and Discover begins at 11:00am on Saturdays at Asbury Woods.

Pre-registration is required for this free event with limited attendance of 18 to comply with safe social distancing protocols.

♦ October 31st - Going Batty

Click on the above picture to download and/or print a copy

Do you live in Erie County? Do you purchase diapers for your child? Have you ever delayed changing a diaper to make your supply last longer? Have you had to reuse a disposable diaper? Have you heard about the Diaper Depot?

The Erie Family center started the Diaper Depot program in January 2020. They hold distribution events every two weeks. They distribute an average of 50 diapers per month per child.

There are no income or location requirements (other than living in Erie County) to attend Diaper Depot distributions. You must pre-register for MOBILE distributions so they know what sizes to bring.

Diaper Depot Distribution Dates:

Are you having trouble paying your rent or mortgage?

The Greater Erie Community Action Committee (GECAC) has money to assist you. Through the COVID-19 Cares Act, Erie County residents can get money to stay in their homes.

Find out more by calling: 814SHELTER (814-743-5837) and ask to be referred to GECAC’s housing counselors.

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts provides free half-day or full-day pre-kindergarten for at-risk children throughout Pennsylvania. Eligible requirements do apply - children must be between age 3 and younger than the entry age for kindergarten and live in a family earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (up to $78,600 for a family of 4).

Most locations have some openings available. Some Pre-K Counts locations may also offer a remote learning option. Click here or contact the ELRC for locations throughout Erie County. 

Erie County - Submissions for 2020 will start on Oct 1st and end Nov 30th. Click here for more information.

Mercer County - No online phone applications will be accepted. Click here for the dates, times and locations.

Venango County - Submissions for 2020 will start on Nov 1st  and end Nov 30th. Click here for more information.

Some traditions are too strong for even COVID-19 to stop.

The Family and Community Christian Association (FCCA) in Meadville, plans to continue the tradition of providing the community with delicious Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, free of charge, except this year it is all going to be for takeout or delivery ONLY.

Anyone interested must call 814-337-4279 and place an order so the FCCA has an idea of how many meals to prepare.

Ingredients:

5 servings

5 apples (1-1/2 lb.), well chilled

1 pkg. (11 oz.) Caramels

2 Tbsp. water

(Note: Caramel apples can be refrigerated up to 2 days before serving.)

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup butter

1 ½ cups sugar

1 cup solid pack pumpkin

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

If you would like, add one of the following to the batter : 1 cup of raisins, chopped nuts, or rolled oats and /or ½ cup drained crushed pineapple.