Growing Self-Reliant Communities: Farm to ECE Capacity Grant Application The Pennsylvania Head Start Association (PHSA) seeks to support 10-50 Early Learning programs in Pennsylvania to increase their capacity to implement farm to ECE strategies that help meet the needs of children and families during and after the COVID 19 pandemic. Now, more than ever, farm … Continued
The Food Trust has recognized 20 ECE sites statewide for their commitment to teaching young children about growing food and connecting them to their agricultural communities. Awardees were selected through a competitive proposal process and received funds to support various farm to ECE efforts, including procurement, education, gardening and family engagement. Throughout the process, champions have shared … Continued
What is farm to early care and education? Where do food, farming and early education systems intersect? What does farm to ECE looks like across the commonwealth? What are some potential strategies to knit together these systems to begin to create positive change for young children and their families, urban and rural farmers, and early … Continued
Pittsburgh Advisory Board Will Tolliver Chastity Bey Tacumba Turner Will Tolliver is a Pittsburgh based leader, innovator and changemaker recognized throughout the education community. He holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a minor in Anthropology and Community and Justice Studies from Allegheny College. The environment, communities and our future leaders inspire Will to … Continued
The Ready Set Grow Advisory Board met over the last several weeks in gatherings in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Harrisburg. At each meeting, Advisory Board members began mapping out what Farm to ECE Regional Learning Collaboratives could look like in their respective geographic areas. The groups brainstormed who from their local communities should be involved and … Continued
In April 2018, The Food Trust released a call to form a new Advisory Board for its statewide Ready Set Grow Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) Initiative. We received 27 nominations from a wide variety Farm to ECE stakeholders from across the commonwealth. Nominees included childcare providers, ECE and preschool teachers, Head … Continued
As a part of its statewide Farm to ECE work, The Food Trust developed a racial equity framework to evaluate planning, decision-making and resource allocation through a racial equity lens. We believe that Farm to ECE can be a platform for advancing racial equity by working to make healthy, local foods and high-quality early learning … Continued
In March 2018, the federal government announced historic investment funds as part of its omnibus spending bill. The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) will be increased by $2.37 billion dollars per year over two years. This increase includes a $115 million increase for Early Head Start for the first time ever and a … Continued
In April 2018, the Department of Education and Department of Human Services Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) announced release of the draft Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) state plan. The Child Care Development Block Grant is one of the primary federal funding sources for monitoring regulated child care programs, child … Continued