As part of the commonwealth’s response to the Novel Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) issued guidance to assist all local education agencies (LEAs) with developing and implementing local Health and Safety Plans to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Health and Safety Plans must take into consideration unique factors of each LEA related to the...Read More

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released the Announcement: ELRC-20 #12 , 2020 Keystone STARS Performance Standards and Program Manual. This Announcement provides information to child care programs regarding the 2020 Keystone STARS Performance Standards. This is an updated policy, providing additional information and replaces ELS-KS-18 #02 Keystone STARS Performance Standards and Program Manual...Read More

Effective Aug. 1, 2020, there is a new process for early childhood education (ECE) professionals and families to request supports for a child with unique needs or challenging behaviors to help prevent expulsion and/or suspension from ECE programs. In the past, providers and families would call the CONNECT Helpline. Starting Aug. 1, 2020, to request...Read More

AUDIENCE: Licensees subject to Chapter 20 of Title 55 of the Pennsylvania Code. PURPOSE: To announce that the Department of Human Services (DHS) had resumed annual inspections of programs licensed under Article IX or X of the Human Services Code, 62 P.S. §§ 901-922, 1001-1088 and 55 Pa. Code Chapter 20. BACKGROUND: On March 6,...Read More

AUDIENCE: Licensees subject to Chapter 20 of Title 55 of the Pennsylvania Code. PURPOSE: To announce that the Department of Human Services (DHS) had resumed annual inspections of programs licensed under Article IX or X of the Human Services Code, 62 P.S. §§ 901-922, 1001-1088 and 55 Pa. Code Chapter 20. BACKGROUND: On March 6,...Read More

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released the OCDEL COVID-19 FAQ which provides information for those within the child care setting relating to face coverings, COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan Template, child care employees returning from other states, and more. See the OCDEL COVID-19 FAQ for additional details.Read More

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released the Announcement ELRC – 20 #11, Restoring Child Care Works Payment Practices Based on Attendance and Invoicing for All Children . The purpose of this announcement is to provide additional information to child care programs participating in Child Care Works (CCW) and the Early Learning...Read More

Hazard Pay Grants Now Available for Front-Line Workers in Life-Sustaining Industries Only July 16, 2020,Governor Tom Wolf announced the availability of $50 million in grant funding to help employers provide hazard pay to employees in life-sustaining occupations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hazard pay is intended to keep front-line employees working in vital industry sectors across Pennsylvania. Child care...Read More