The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) announced the creation of regional Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) to improve the quality of and access to early learning services in the state.Important information regarding Pennsylvania’s new Early Learning Resource Centers

Beginning July 1, 2018, ELRCs will provide a single point-of-contact for families, early learning service providers, and communities to gain information and access services that support high-quality child care and early learning programs. ELRCs will administer over $680 million in child care subsidy and supports. This state and federal investment in Pennsylvania’s working families enables parents to maintain employment while creating opportunities for the commonwealth’s children to develop and learn to their fullest potential.

Through the ELRC, child care professionals can obtain support in building quality outcomes for children by working with quality coaches to achieve Keystone STAR 3 and 4 status, building connections with community partners, and supporting children and families in accessing additional services, such as PA Pre-K Counts, Head Start, home-visiting, and Early Intervention.

All ELRCs will have a primary location in their designated region and will partner with community organizations to meet families’ needs where they naturally congregate.

ELRC Region 19 (Chester County):

Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is the lead agency for Early Learning Resource Center 19, delivering Keystone STARS supports to early care and education providers, including quality coaching and support in processing grants.

PHMC has partnered with the Chester County Intermediate Unit to administer Child Care Works (PA’s subsidized child care program) and to offer enhanced child care resource and referral services for all PA families. These services were formerly offered through Child Care Information Services (CCIS) of Chester County.

The PHMC Professional Development Organization will coordinate all Technical Assistance and Professional Development activities for early care and education providers (STARS TA, ECMH, Infant/Toddler TA, CCHC, needs-based PD, etc.).

The 2018-2019 Merit and ERA Request paperwork now available

Please review all of the information and documents below, and contact your Quality Coach with any questions.

Again this year, you must complete and submit a request form and a budget form(s). Please note there are two versions of the budget form. One is an Excel Workbook to be used for electronic submission. One is a PDF to be used if faxing. If using the PDF format, Attachment #2 is used for Merit requests and there is also an Attachment #2 used for ERA requests.

Submit your Merit and/or ERA request via:

Email* to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Include your MPI# and your location name in the "Subject" line of your email message
OR Fax to 267-765-2397

*Electronic submission is highly recommended to expedite the processing of your grant request.

Types of Awards

Merit Awards - Funds available to centers/groups at STAR 2 and family child care homes at STAR 2 through 4. These funds are intended to implement quality improvement activities including purchasing of curricula and learning materials, attending professional development, or improving technology or business systems. Award amounts are based on facility type, size, and STAR level.

Click on the links below to download the appropriate MERIT forms:

Attachment #2 Keystone STARS Merit Budget Worksheet (PDF paper submission)

Education and Retention Awards - Funds available to teachers and directors with qualifications in the field of early childhood education working in a STAR 2 through 4 facility. Award amounts are based on staff position, Career Lattice level, number of hours worked, and STAR level of the facility. Funds go directly to the staff person, paid out through the program.

Click on the links below to download the appropriate Education and Retention Award (ERA) forms:

Attachment #2 Keystone STARS ERA Budget Worksheet (PDF paper submission)

Announcements

NEW Keystone STARS Document Uploader Webinar

New webinar for ECE Providers

We are happy to announce that a recorded webinar on the Document Uploader is now available. Watch the webinar to learn how the Document Uploader works and how it can help you in your Keystone STARS designation process.

The link to access the webinar is: https://youtu.be/I2xLgDBcbpc. If you have any questions, please contact your Keystone STARS Quality Coach.

Changes to Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Program

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is making some changes to the Rising STAR Tuition Assistance program. Rising STARS helps cover a portion of tuition costs for early learning professionals. Funding has been secured through June 30, 2019.

Beginning immediately, degree waivers for programs outside of the approved degree list (PDF) will no longer be accepted. If you are already enrolled in a program with a previously approved degree waiver, your funding will continue until your program is completed.

Applications for out-of-state institutions will also no longer be accepted. If you are enrolled in a program at an out-of-state institution, your funding will continue until your program is completed.

To learn more, visit the Rising STARS Tuition Assistance.

Changes are Coming to the PA One Book Program

In 2019, the Pennsylvania One Book Program will adapt to meet the increasing need to support early literacy to Pennsylvania’s youngest learners. These changes include a shift in focus to get more books into the hands and homes of more children, and there will be two books available for purchase.

· Barnyard Banter, by Denise Fleming, for infants and toddlers (available in English)

· Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis, for children ages three to five (available in English and Spanish)

There are no minimum or fixed quantities required! Early learning providers, library staff and community partners can purchase the exact number of books needed. To keep costs more affordable, paperback options are the only available option.

Purchasing of the two titles are through Scholastic Publishing Family and Community Engagement (FACE) program. If your organization already participates in the FACE or Scholastic Literacy Partners Program, you will just need to complete the order form available from Scholastic Publishing. Click here for the order form.

A two-page Family Fun Guide for both titles will be available on the PA One Book website (www.paonebook.org) by January 2019. Other guides aligned with the Pennsylvania Standards for Early Childhood will also be available with activities for use by early childhood educators and families.

With this change, copies of the One Book titles will no longer be mailed to early learning programs, however anyone may purchase and donate copies to child care homes and centers, as well as families.

All Past Announcements

The 2018-2019 Merit and ERA Request paperwork now available

Types of Awards

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