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).
Noe Ortega Confirmed as Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Education

June 22, 2021: The Pennsylvania Senate confirmed Noe Ortega as Secretary of the Department of Education. Ortega was nominated to serve as Secretary of Education in Oct. 2020. Prior to his nomination, he had served as the Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for the Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education (OPHE) at the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is a joint office of the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Human Resources. Read more.
Announcement C-21-04, Best Practices for Child Care Facilities Operating During the Novel Coronavirus

June 28, 2021: The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development and Bureau of Certification, has released the Announcement C-21-04, Best Practices for Child Care Facilities Operating During the Novel Coronavirus. The purpose of this Announcement is to provide certified child care facilities with the best practices for operating a facility during the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It also provides certified child care facilities with guidance on how to handle a positive COVID-19 case or exposure to a positive COVID-19 case in child care facilities. For more information, read the Announcement C-21-04, Best Practices for Child Care Facilities Operating During the Novel Coronavirus.
Pennsylvania Families Needed for Exciting New Opportunity

Pennsylvania families are needed to support and impact early childhood education coursework that is provided at colleges and universities across Pennsylvania. Family members who have young children who are currently enrolled in child care, Head Start or Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts are invited to apply to be part this cohort, supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). This cohort will be provided opportunities to connect with college and university early childhood professors to provide a family perspective. Family members will be compensated (paid) for their time and reimbursed for travel and child care expenses. Application Deadline: July 9, 2021. Get more info.
Guidance for Tuberculin Skin Testing (TST) and COVID-19 Vaccinations: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released the Guidance for Tuberculin Skin Testing (TST) and COVID-19 Vaccinations: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which provides information for those within the child care setting relating to TST requirements and COVID-19 vaccinations. See the Guidance for TST and COVID-19 Vaccinations: FAQs for additional details.
Spread the Word about the Child Tax Credit

The Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan provides the largest Child Tax Credit ever and historic relief to the most working families ever – and most families will automatically receive monthly payments without having to take any action. Low-income families with children are eligible for this crucial tax relief – including those who have not made enough money to be required to file taxes. For those with children, the American Rescue Plan increased the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children over the age of six and from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under the age of six, and raised the age limit from 16 to 17. All working families will get the full credit if they make up to $150,000 for a couple or $112,500 for a family with a single parent (also called Head of Household). Get more information to share with families.
Upcoming Deadlines