April 2024 Edition

View as Webpage

Thank You from OCDEL Deputy Secretary, Shante' Brown

I wanted to extend my heartfelt gratitude for those who attended the 2024 OCDEL Conference, Stable and Secure: Supporting Children Through Trauma Sensitive Approaches! The presence of early childhood education professionals throughout Pennsylvania contributed immensely to the success of the event, and I hope those who were able to attend found it both informative and engaging.

It was fantastic to see so everyone actively participating in the discussions, sharing insights, and networking with fellow attendees. The enthusiasm and contributions truly enriched the experience for everyone involved.

We have uploaded all the resources from the Conference to the OCDEL Conference webpages (Monday and Tuesday). We hope that you will find these resources valuable. Again, a huge thank you for all that you do!  

Shante' Brown

Deputy Secretary

Office of Child Development and Early Learning 

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has finalized the first draft of the FFY 2025-2027 Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan for Pennsylvania. The CCDF State Plan Public Comment period is now open and will remain open and available for public comment until April 26, 2024.

Early childhood education professionals and partners who are interested in submitting a comment may do so in one of three different ways. Please select only one method of submitting a comment.

1. (Preferred) Register to virtually attend one of two CCDF State Plan Virtual Sessions, scheduled for April 15 or April 17, 2024. When registering, you can indicate if you'd like to comment during the session.

• Click here to register to attend the CCDF State Plan Virtual Session on Monday, April 15, 2024, 5-7 PM
• Click here to register to attend the CCDF State Plan Virtual Sessions on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 12 noon to 2 PM

You may attend the CCDF State Plan Virtual Sessions without providing a comment, but you must still register for one of the sessions.

2. (Preferred) Submit a comment via the website. Comments must be submitted by the deadline of April 26, 2024.

3. Submit a comment via USPS. Mail comments to:

OCDEL, Attention: Jessica Sands

607 South Drive

4th Floor Rotunda

Harrisburg, PA 17120

Comments must be received by the deadline of April 26, 2024.

Learn more about CCDF and how it currently impacts Pennsylvania, here. 

Each year the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) provides access and opportunity for interested parties, including families, EI providers, and other professionals, to review and make comments on the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C application for the Infant Toddler Early Intervention program for Federal Fiscal Year 2024.

Anyone who would like to review the proposed grant application can find the document at: Early Intervention Services (pa.gov) or Early Intervention (pa.gov) on the right side menu of the webpages. Hard copies can also be requested by emailing ra-ocdintervention@pa.gov or by calling 717-346-9320.

Opportunities to provide public comment include:

• Visit Part C Grant Public Comment. This link will allow for online comment opportunity.
• Submitting written comments regarding the proposed grant application can be directed to Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports, ATTN: Public Comments for Part C Grant Application, 607 South Drive, 4th Floor Rotunda, Harrisburg, PA 17120 or at ra-ocdintervention@pa.gov
• Attending the virtual Public Comment session to be held on April 15, 2024, from 1-2 PM. During this time, the Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports will be available to receive comments regarding the application. The Public Comment session will be held via Zoom using the following participation information:
• https://paiu.zoom.us/j/92055597686
• (877) 369-0926 (US Toll Free)
• Meeting ID: 920 5559 7686

If you need an accommodation or assistance to review the proposed grant application or to submit comments, please contact ra-ocdintervention@pa.gov or by calling 717-346-9320.

Comments will be accepted through May 15, 2024. All comments will be reviewed and considered by the Department before submitting the final grant application.

Pennsylvania will have a solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. To prevent direct viewing that can damage the eyes, keep children and staff in early care and education programs inside between noon and 4:30 pm. Even with the specific, approved solar viewing glasses and close supervision it is too difficult to be sure every young child wears the glasses properly to protect their eyes. Looking directly at the sun, even when the sun is partially blocked by the moon is extremely dangerous.

Use this historic opportunity to teach children about science. Check out these science-based early learning activities about a solar eclipse.

• NASA's website has STEM learning resources to prepare for the upcoming eclipse.
• Space Place from NASA Science has a child-friendly video about a solar eclipse.
• How to Explain April's Total Solar Eclipse to Kids article from Scientific American has solar eclipse tips and activities for young learners.
• PA Department of Education has developed a comprehensive resource guide for K-12 schools. This guide includes information on eye safety, educational activities, and more.

To safely view portions of the live, solar eclipse tune in to an online broadcast directly from Exploratorium where they will broadcast live from the path of totality in Junction, Texas.

The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) is currently offering family scholarships to attend the 2024 National Autism Conference to be held August 5-8, 2024, in Harrisburg, PA. The Autism conference provides comprehensive, evidence-based information to assist educators, other professionals, and families in developing effective educational programming for all students with autism spectrum disorders.

The Parent/Caregiver Scholarship is available to parent(s) and/or caregiver(s) of a child with an IEP or who receives Early Intervention (EI) services and meets certain qualifications. The registration window is open through May 30, 2024. Scholarships will be granted on a first come first served basis, but with priority given to parent/caregiver scholarship recipients for the Children’s Institute. Eligible recipients are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Notifications will be sent out by June 20, 2024. Please share this incredible opportunity with families in your communities.

The April 5, 2024, deadline to apply for the T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship is fast approaching--but there's still time to apply! ECE Professionals interested in attending college for the Summer semester(s) that begin in May/June should apply to T.E.A.C.H. now. T.E.A.C.H. applications must be complete and submitted with all required documentation/information by Friday, April 5, 2024, to be considered for the Summer 2024 semester(s).  PACCA will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis, however incomplete applications and applications received after this date will not receive priority for consideration. NOTE: New scholarship awards for the Summer 2024 semesters will be dependent upon funding availability at that time. 

Interested applicants should also begin the college admissions process now and contact an ECE advisor at their intended college/university. This helps to ensure that scholarship applicants are admitted to their college/university and can register for courses if/when they receive a T.E.A.C.H. scholarship. T.E.A.C.H. can provide contact information for ECE advisors at partnering institutions if needed.  

Need more information? Click here to for details on eligibility, program requirements and to download a scholarship application. Questions? Click here to contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor. 

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Pennsylvania is supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and Pennsylvania’s Department of Education (PDE). For more information, visit dhs.pa.gov and education.pa.gov. 

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Pennsylvania is administered by the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) and is a licensed program of Child Care Services Association. 

OCDEL has released an updated listing of approved curricula and developmental assessment tools for use by early childhood programs for use by early childhood programs. As explained in ELRC Policy Announcement 22 #07 OCDEL-Approved Curricula and Developmental Assessment Tools in Keystone STARS, Keystone STAR 3 and STAR 4 providers who wish to continue to meet EC 3.4.1 and EC 3.4.2 will need to confirm that the curriculum and developmental assessment tool they are using are OCDEL-approved and that the tools they are using will not be sunset at the beginning of the following fiscal year. Providers should make this review a regular part of their annual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities and CQI plan update. Learn more.

Two opportunities remain for the virtual CDA Office Hour events for CDA candidates. Office Hours are a place to bring questions about requirements and completion about the CDA in Pennsylvania. Participation is free, but registration is required. Register for May 14, 2024, 1-2 PM for the English session and April 11, 2024, 1:15 PM for the Spanish session. Participation is free, but registration is required. Questions can be directed to Amy Barrett at amybar@pakeys.org.

• April 9-11: 16th National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships, Philadelphia
• April 15-18: National Head Start Conference, Portland, Oregon
• April 20: Mindful in Action Conference, Philadelphia
• April 22-24: Shine the Light on Mental Health 21st Children's Interagency Conference, State College
• April 22-26: 38th National Child Nutrition Conference, Orlando 
• May 7-9: 2024 PA Strengthening Families Conference, State College
• May 21-23: 2024 National SEL Conference, Building Community Cultivating Change, King of Prussia
• June 15: Latinos Educando Juntos LatinLift Conference, Philadelphia
• June 24-29: National Research Conference on Early Childhood 2024, Arlington, VA
• July 8-11: American Horticultural Society’s National Children & Youth Garden Symposium, Chicago
• July 24-27: National Association for Family Child Care Conference, Creating our Gateway to THRIVE!, St. Louis
• Aug. 5-8: 2024 National Autism Conference, Harrisburg, PA
• Sept. 17-20: Save the date: DEC2024 Conference, New Orleans
• Oct. 28-29: Save the Date: ECE Summit, State College
• Nov. 6-9: National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference, Anaheim, CA

The Bureau of Family Health requests help identify the seven to ten priorities that will drive Pennsylvania’s Title V programs.

Pennsylvania’s Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant serves to improve the health and well-being of the nation’s mothers, infants, children and youth, including children and youth with special health care needs, and their families. This survey is an opportunity for providers and families across Pennsylvania who are not able to attend one of the in-person or virtual events to share their thoughts and perspectives on the priorities that will drive Pennsylvania’s work through the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant over the next five years. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey!

The LatinLift Teacher Award recognizes and celebrates outstanding Latinx educators in Pennsylvania who demonstrate the following: Exceptional dedication and passion for teaching: They go above and beyond to create engaging and equitable learning environments for all students, particularly Latinx students. Cultural competence and responsiveness: They understand and value the diverse backgrounds and experiences of their students and incorporate them into their teaching practices. Leadership and advocacy: They actively promote and champion the needs of Latinx students, families, and educators within their school communities and beyond. Commitment to social justice and equity: They use their platform to raise awareness of issues impacting Latinx communities and advocate for positive change. Anyone can nominate a deserving Latinx teacher working in any infant through 4th grade school setting in Pennsylvania. Learn more and nominate.

Pennsylvania’s Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education (PA CSPECE) program helps ensure child care facilities are located in safe places. If a facility is on or near a hazardous location, children and staff could be exposed to harmful chemicals from the surrounding environment. The program partners with the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to ensure child care facilities are located in safe locations, and any potential environmental exposures of concern are prevented or minimized.

Those who are interested in participating in a safe siting program, should view the flyer and handout, then complete the short survey to the best of their ability. A FAQ for child care providers is also available. Providers can receive a certificate of acknowledgment for participation in CSPECE, if no known harmful exposures are identified. Questions or concerns can be directed to ChooseSafePlaces@pa.gov or 717-787-3350

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians and public health officials of an increase in global and U.S. measles cases and to provide guidance on measles prevention for all international travelers aged ≥6 months and all children aged ≥12 months who do not plan to travel internationally. Measles (rubeola) is highly contagious; one person infected with measles can infect 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals with whom they come in close contact.

Pennsylvania has seen an increase in measles cases since January 1, 2024. Between January 1 and March 18, 2024, there have been three cases of measles diagnosed in Pennsylvania as compared with zero cases during the same period in 2023.

The Advisory includes recommendations for schools, early childhood education providers, and families.

Share Your Thoughts about Early Intervention Service Coordination Workload Factors

Old Dominion University, staff at the Iowa Department of Education, and the Catholic University of Valencia are gathering information about early intervention service coordinators’ workload. Specifically, they hope to learn more about how workload factors such as 1) the number of families served; 2) families’ levels of need; 3) the model of service coordination used in the program; 4) the need for administrative support; and 5) the level of responsibility, educational background, and specific expertise affect a service coordinator’s engagement with families, abilities to coordinator EI services, feelings about the job, and perception of the greatest needs of SCs. Current EI service coordinator are invited to take the survey.

Become a CDA Professional Development Specialist

The Council for Professional Recognition is seeking experienced early childhood professionals to serve as CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialists™. PD Specialists conduct CDA Verification Visits® with candidates to assess competency and support teachers’ growing skills as they move through the Child Development Associate® (CDA) national credentialing program. Learn more.

A recent release from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), Including Family Child Care Homes in Publicly-Funded Pre-K Programs: Estimating the Cost of Supporting Quality, provides insightful research which discusses the essential role of Family Child Care (FCC) homes in publicly-funded pre-K programs and estimates the cost of ensuring high-quality early education in these settings. Learn about the crucial policies needed to support FCC providers effectively and bridge the gap in early childhood education funding. 

A recent brief from the National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families provides a snapshot of early care and education (ECE) use among children in households with low incomes, focusing on Hispanic children in immigrant and non-immigrant families. The brief reports that nearly half of Hispanic children in households with low incomes used ECE in 2019, but usage patterns varied by child age and whether the household included immigrant members. Findings suggest that policymakers should prioritize supports that reach all providers—especially home-based providers who provide care for Latino children at substantial rates. 

The national non-profit SchoolHouse Connection recently released Infant and Toddler Homelessness Across 50 States: 2021-2022, the most comprehensive analysis to date of homelessness among the nation's youngest children. This report offers the first-ever state-by-state collection of data on infant and toddler homelessness and provides detailed recommendations for policymakers and communities alike. The report includes key findings and concludes with a call to action, offering targeted recommendations for state and federal policymakers to increase the identification of homeless families with infants and toddlers and to improve their access to critical early childhood development services and housing supports. The report also includes practical strategies for early childhood development programs that can be implemented immediately.

For a Pennsylvania perspective, see the recently released, State-Level Brief Update, A Call to Action: Participation of Young Children Experiencing Homelessness and Young Children in Foster Care in Early Childhood Programs in Pennsylvania.

The April releases of family-friendly newsletters for families and providers of children, ages birth to Kindergarten are now available. The newsletters feature fun early learning activities that align with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards, resources and information to help families as their child's first and most important teacher.

Take a look and share with families and friends, then subscribe to get the next release directly into your inbox.

• Learning is Everywhere
• Kindergarten Here I Come
• Kindergarten Here I Am

Throughout April, celebrate Month of the Young Child, which focuses public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognizes the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. Check out the April Calendar of Activities for Early Learning Professionals with activities and information to help prepare children and their families for school success.

Ready for a stress-free summer? Best Day Ever! is back! Register today to access your FREE summer camp lesson plans for PreK and K-5 students. Written by teachers, these easy-to-use, standards-aligned plans offer a turn-key solution for you and your team.

There are 24 preschool and school-age summer camp lesson plans are available now. They include a daily schedule and hands-on activities using many items you already have in your supply closet.



This shared resource is brought to you by The Learning Lamp, a nonprofit provider of child care and summer camp in Pennsylvania. The plans are available now through August 2024. Titles include:

• We’ve Got the Beat!
• Summer Kick-off!
• Jurassic World
• Mission Milky Way

Register today. Those who previously registered and accessed lesson plans will need to register again for the summer camp lesson plans 2024 as old log-in information will not work to access these plans.

If you use Best Day Ever! in your program, share what you think about Best Day Ever! When you provide feedback through a survey link, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card. Have questions? Contact Christy at 814-262-0732 ext. 227 or cleiato@thelearninglamp.org.  

Empower kids to take action and make positive contributions to their communities. This free 18-page guide by KidsGardening and High Country Gardens walks through the basics of sustainable gardening and offers tips and activity ideas for four sustainable youth garden themes.

Although intended for WIC participants, early learning partners may find useful the one-page infographics (available in 14 languages) which highlight the importance of key nutrients and how individuals can get them from foods. Share the information with families participating in early learning programs to help children and families be aware of how healthy eating can help boost their health today and in years to come.

The Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids Project is a series of free videos and print resources with practical, evidence-based information and skills to address families most common parenting challenges. This project is part of the Child Mind Institute’s innovative partnership with the state of California. The series is organized into four categories, each containing multiple videos. Each video has been created in both English and Spanish. Ver episodios en español

Family Style Meal Service With Children in the CACFP

Children and adults need time to develop skills to be successful at mealtime. Use this Family Style Meal Service With Children in the Child and Adult Care Food Program resource to help prepare and support children, train staff, and meet CACFP meal pattern requirements to successfully serve meals family style at a child care or early learning site.

The March resources from Camille Catlett are now available. The March release of Natural Resources contains information on a playbook for kids of all abilities, brain-building through play, and more. The March edition of Baby Talk includes information on the Toddler Book Tolerability Index, Maternal Happiness During Pregnancy Linked to Child's Brain Development, and more.

Did you receive this from a friend? 

Click here to subscribe and get the PA Early Ed News delivered to you.

View the archived editions of the PA Early Ed News.

View the archived editions of the Certification Services News.