Welcome to the ECE Recap where you can find the
most recent and important information from the
Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).
Message from OCDEL Deputy Secretary Campanini

The Departments of Human Services and Health regularly track data on COVID-19 infections. As you can see (below) there has been a significant increase of infections in child care. Additional information about community transmission can be found at COVID 19 Data for PA.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to stress the importance layered efforts to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. One of the key recommendations is the continued use for children and adults of face coverings.  

While the Executive Order for Face Coverings is no longer in place, I encourage you to consider instituting policies in your program to continue to use them. You can print the updated face covering flyers (available in English and Spanish) at the Pennsylvania Key website. 

I also advocate for all eligible people to become vaccinated. If you or your staff have questions about the vaccine, a trusted source of information is the DOH website, COVID 19 Vaccines.

Information regarding continued best practice for all Early Learning Centers is available on the CDC website, and OCDEL continues advise programs implement the recommendations included there. Visit the COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs for the current recommendations.

Thank you for your consideration of the data and resources. 
Tracey Campanini
2022 Day of Racial Healing

Tomorrow, Jan. 18, 2022, Pennsylvania officially observes the 2022 Day of Racial Healing. The goals are to:

  • Understand that racial healing is at the core of racial equity
  • Offer a time for contemplation and collective action
  • Provide an opportunity to bring ALL people together in their common humanity
  • Inspire collective action to create a more just and equitable world
Applications Open for Pennsylvania’s
Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Awards
Application Deadline Feb. 7, 2022

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has announced applications are now being accepted for the Pennsylvania’s Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Awards. The awards bring awareness to and highlight the equity work being done within Pennsylvania’s early childhood education and afterschool settings, and by child care, OCDEL funded Family Support, and early intervention professionals, as it aligns with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Equity and Inclusion Toolkit, and with the position statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education Position Statement. Application deadline is Feb. 7, 2022. Learn more.
Request for Application for Family Support Programs
Application Deadline March 11, 2022

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports, is seeking to award funds to qualified applicants for the implementation or continuation of Family Support Programs, which consist of community-based, high-quality Evidence-Based Home Visiting (EBHV) services, as well as three categories of enhancements to these services: Evidence-Informed Programs, EBHV Model Enhancements, and Program Enhancements. Learn more.
Becoming Trauma Informed Series: Professional Development Instructor Institute Application

The Jan. 21, 2022, application deadline for the Becoming Trauma Informed Series: Professional Development Instructor Institute (PDII) is approaching. During the virtual training, PDII Participants will learn how to deliver the Becoming Trauma Informed Series from the Health Federation which includes the following:

  • Module 1: Becoming Trauma Informed
  • Module 2: Becoming Trauma Informed-Practice Skills
  • Module 3: Becoming Trauma Informed- Understanding Secondary Traumatic Stress
Enrollment Deadline Extended for Spring 2022 Child Care Health Advocate

Northampton Community College has extended the registration deadline for the Spring 2022 Child Care Health Advocate. Online classes are scheduled for Feb. 24 to May 11, 2022. The course will address 15 different health and safety modules as a resource for child care directors, teachers, assistant teachers, and child care practitioners. Student tuition and fees will be funded by Office of Child Development and Early Learning and the Pennsylvania Key. Students will be responsible for textbook costs. Learn more.
Final Bilingual Assistance Offered for ARPA Stabilization Grant Applications

The final session of the office hours for Spanish speaking early childhood education providers interested in applying for the ARPA Stabilization grant will be held on Jan. 20, 2022, from 1:00 - 2:30 pm. All types of child care settings–center, group and home-based–are invited to participate to support Spanish speaking owners, directors and administrators. During the office hours, a bilingual (Spanish/English) representative will be available to translate on the call, as well as a Registry Specialist who can answer questions and provide demonstrations relating to the Pennsylvania PD Registry and the ARPA Stabilization Grant. No registration is needed. Click here to join Zoom meeting on Jan. 20, 1-2:30 pm. Meeting ID: 981 6408 0605. Those with question can also email [email protected] (English) or [email protected] (Spanish).  
ARPA Stabilization Grant

Two weeks remain until the ARPA Stabilization Grant Jan. 31, 2022 application deadline. Apply now.
Upcoming Deadlines