Research shows that state and local benefits agencies are the best messengers to reach out to families who don't usually file tax returns. An estimated 4 million children are at risk of missing out. A single text message to SNAP beneficiaries in a medium-sized state could get over 1,000 families to claim millions of dollars in benefits.

President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the U.S. Department of Education have announced a three-part plan to help working and middle-class federal student loan borrowers transition back to regular payment as pandemic-related support expires. This plan includes loan forgiveness of up to $20,000. Many borrowers and families may be asking themselves “what do I have to do to claim this relief?”

Is Your Early Learning Program Represented in the 2022 Market Rate Survey?

Nearly 37% of Pennsylvania's certified child care and after school programs have responded to OCDEL's 2022 Market Rate Survey (MRS) to evaluate future child care related programming and policy decisions, ​including Child Care Works rate setting.

On Aug. 30, 2022, the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development released the Announcement ELRC 22-06, Required Professional Development Training for DHS Certified Child Care Providers Participating in Child Care Works (CCW). The Announcement shares that required professional development training for DHS certified child care providers who participate in Child Care Works (CCW), and adds an additional appendix to the existing CCW provider agreement. This announcement only applies to certified child care providers who have a CCW Provider Agreement with the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). This announcement does not apply to providers without a CCW Provider Agreement.

In the CACFP, at least one serving of grains each day must include a whole grain-rich component. But what does that mean? If you find yourself often stuck in the weeds on whole grain-rich, here are nine excellent FREE resources to help you find your way.

Plan, plan, plan Plan your meals for the week based on your food budget and make a grocery list that includes staples and perishables. Use theShop Simple with MyPlate tool to find savings in your area and discover new ways to prepare budget-friendly foods.

September 6, 2022 Episode focus: Really get to know the parents/families of your young students It's a new school/program year! Are you ready to take it on? While we know you have many things on your to-do list, we hope that this four-episode series provides some inspiration and motivation around establishing and continually nurturing the Teacher-Parent Partnership.

Join EmbraceRace for a community of learning and practice (COLP) series, " Organizing in Defense of Early Racial Learning in Our Schools and Communities." Conversations will focus on what healthy, developmentally appropriate teaching and learning about race looks like in early and middle childhood and how to come together to promote antibias, antiracist education practices.

If you are currently an educator or director at a childcare center, chances are you have a diverse group of children in your care, including those with ASD. ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder, and there is a wide range of characteristics when it comes to diagnoses.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising people to perform repeat, or serial, testing following a negative result on any at-home COVID-19 antigen test, to reduce the risk an infection may be missed (false negative result) and to help prevent people from unknowingly spreading the SARS-CoV-2 virus to others.

​Monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted disease and does not spread easily between people. However, anyone who has extremely close personal contact - mostly skin-to-skin - including direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluid from a person with monkeypox, can get it and should take steps to protect themselves.

EMPOWER 2022 will offer professional development focused on out-of-school time (OST) programming. Pennsylvania and national experts will present the latest research and trends in OST programming, STEAM, barriers to entry for marginalized groups, advocacy, mental health and much more.

How can you support your child's emotional well-being during the school year? Here are some ideas to help you get started. You can ask: How do you feel about going back to school? Is anything worrying you? What was a fun or hard part of today? Is anyone teasing or bullying you?

The start of a new school year is an exciting time for both students and families. As students head back to the classroom, it is important that they eat healthy, stay up to date on immunizations, and know the signs of bullying for a healthier and safer school year.

Mikes prompts us to consider and appreciate children's play in small, often unconventional spaces--the nook between couch and recliner, under the end table, the closet shelf. Ross shares a wild thought, yet Mike stays on topic. The conversation reminds us how play in small spaces offers children the...

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has provided updated information for Pediatric First Aid and Pediatric CPR from the Health and Safety Institute (HSI). The information, updated from September 2022, contains details about discontinued courses, as well as information for the new HSI course. 

Join us for a dialogue about connecting Kindergarten Readiness and the Strengthening Families™ Protective Factors Framework. We will move the conversation beyond the developmental readiness skills of the child to what it means to have ready communities, schools, and families. Specific community initiatives that have applied the protective factors framework to kindergarten readiness initiatives will be shared.

Sponsored by Storypark. We love emergent curriculum in nature-based programs. But even emergent approaches require some element of planning. Now is the time to explore ways to plan and document learning that are dynamic and motivating inside, outside and beyond! Join international early childhood natural program expert Dr Claire Warden to learn out how to [...]

Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 3:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

Instructor: Rose Snyder Core Knowledge Competencies: K6 C2 What are the needs and differences of various generational age groups? Learn to better communicate across generations to better support children, families and staff.