6.3 Ongoing Training and Professional Development

6.3.1 Required hours of ongoing training Provide the number of hours of ongoing training required annually for CCDF-eligible providers in the following settings: a. Licensed child care centers: 12 b. License-exempt child care centers: N/A c. Licensed family child care homes: 12 d. License-exempt family child care homes: N/A e. Regulated or registered in-home child care: N/A f. Non-regulated or registered in-home child care: N/A 6.3.2 Accessibility of professional development for Tribal organizations Describe how the Lead Agency’s training and professional development are accessible to providers supported through Indian tribes or Tribal organizations receiving CCDF funds (as applicable). Pennsylvania does not have any Tribal organizations receiving CCDF funds. 6.3.3 Professional development appropriate for the diversity of children, families, and child care providers Describe how the Lead Agency’s training and professional development requirements reflect the diversity of children, families, and child care providers participating in CCDF. To the extent practicable, how does professional development include specialized training or credentials for providers who care for infants or school-age children; individuals with limited English proficiency; children who are bilingual; children with developmental delays or disabilities; and/or Native Americans, including Indians, as the term is defined in Section 900.6 in subpart B of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (including Alaska Natives) and Native Hawaiians? PA addresses diversity, equity, and inclusion in the professional development systems in various ways. The Registry system itself has translation in four languages (Spanish, Somali, Hmong and Arabic). Additionally, the Professional Learning Standards for early learning professionals include PSA 4: Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices. ECE professionals are encouraged to have a balance of professional development from all areas of the Professional Learning Standards, including working with infants and toddlers and children with disabilities. Finally, when instructors submit courses for approval, we ask that they explain how cultural diversity and inclusion will be addressed within this training. Pennsylvania does not have specific professional development related to children who are Native American as there are no federally recognized Tribal Governments in Pennsylvania. 6.3.4 Child developmental screening Describe how all providers receive, through training and professional development, information about: (1) existing resources and services the State/Territory can make available in conducting developmental screenings and providing referrals to services when appropriate for children who receive assistance under this part, including the coordinated use of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment program (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) and developmental screening services available under section 619 and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.); and (2) how child care providers may utilize these resources and services to obtain developmental screenings for children who receive assistance and who may be at risk for cognitive or other developmental delays, which may include social, emotional, physical, or linguistic delays: OCDEL makes available and promotes the use of training and professional development on our Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) portal: www.eita-pa.org. One of the Topics of Interest is: https://www.eita-pa.org/assessment-and- eligibility/ and resources for child care and other early learning programs include: Ages and Stages Screening Tools and Program; Screening, Evaluation and Assessment; and Engaging Families as Assessment Partners. OCDEL is the lead agency for both Infant Toddler Part C and Part B 619 Early Intervention (EI) programs. OCDEL has a statewide EI referral line for families, child care providers, and other sources to use when there is a concern about a child’s development. Child care providers and other referral sources are directed to contact Pennsylvania Statewide CONNECT at 1-800-692-7288 or help@connectpa.net. The family will be referred to their local EI program for a developmental screening and if appropriate an evaluation of the child’s development. This information is captured in OCDEL’s EI child find/public awareness brochure that is shared widely with and made available to all EI referral sources including ELRCs, child care and other early learning providers. The EI child find/public awareness brochure can be found here: https://www.pattan.net/CMSPages/GetAmazonFile.aspx?path=~\pattan\media\materials\publica tions\files\ei-help-me-grow-comm-racklit-feb2023_fnl- web.pdf&hash=a1d69bfe5f57e01cad08113fdab6fc2a6367fa4f8d840c6ffe7ad81895b42c39&ext=. pdf