Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 Launches in Allegheny County

Today, July 1, 2019, the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) officially became the ELRC for Region 5, providing information and services to families and early childhood professionals about high-quality child care in Allegheny County.

These services and information provided include:

  • Child Care Works Subsidized Child Care Program (CCW)

  • Keystone STARS

  • Early Learning Programs (like PA Pre-K Counts and Head Start)

  • Early Intervention

As is customary for ACDHS, the agency chose two well established partners to facilitate this work including, The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers and Trying Together. The Alliance will provide direct service to families, while Trying Together will provide direct service to early care and education providers in Allegheny County.

About ELRC Region 5

Core Values

At ELRC Region 5, we recognize the dignity and potential of all people through our interactions with those we serve and the services we seek to deliver, coordinate and align.

We commit to:

  • Meeting and honoring the child, family and early care and education professional where they are on their developmental journey.

  • Recognizing that children are best supported in the context of their family, culture, neighborhood, and community.

  • Recognizing (or realizing) we have much to learn from children, families and early care and education professionals and seek to bring this learning to our work.

  • Collaborating in partnership across sectors and expertise to deliver services that build on the inherent strengths of children, families, and the early care and education professional.

  • Building familial, professional and partner relationships with open and honest communication.

Services Available

Families

Community members may call or visit one of several ELRC sites to receive information or initiate services. Families will be greeted and connected to a Family Navigator for on-going assistance. The Navigators will help their clients understand and navigate the early care and education system, including supporting them through the process to apply for and enroll to receive a child care subsidy, while simultaneously assessing for and connecting them with other supports and services that meet their needs. Once a family has completed the initial application process, they are connected to a Family Specialist for the ongoing management of their child care subsidy.

Early Childhood Professionals

Early childhood professionals first will connect with an Early Learning Program Engagement Specialist and subsequently a Quality Coach – all of whom are assigned to regions so that providers can turn to a consistent staff person in their community. The Early Learning Program Engagement Specialist will serve as the professional’s initial point of contact and will help to identify the initial needs of the provider, such as enrollment in Child Care Works (CCW - the child care subsidy program) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) or support to participate or increase quality in the Keystone STARS program. They are responsible for recruiting, establishing eligibility, and enrolling providers of all types in Child Care Works.

Quality Coaches will complete a full needs assessment with the program staff, and based on individualized plans, the coaches will use a variety of methods to support continuous quality improvement. The assigned Quality Coach will serve as the provider’s single point of contact, helping to coordinate support from the full team available to assist providers with a variety of tasks, specialized needs, or challenges (STARS designations, CCW billing, etc.).

Service Offerings

Supplemental services will vary by location, but core services available at each site include:

  • Assistance with understanding, identifying, and enrolling in high quality child care

  • Connection to an appropriate home visiting program, including Early Head Start

  • Information about the Family Support Centers

  • Public benefits enrollment through Compass

  • Voter registration

  • Support for Early Care and Education Providers

  • Provider enrollment in CCW

  • Provider enrollment in Child and Adult Care Food Program

  • Provider support for continuous quality improvement through individualized coaching to obtain higher STAR levels

  • Support for Relative Provider certification (health and safety)

  • Referrals and connections to community-based services covering a full range of human services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where are the ELRC Region 5 offices located and how do I contact them?

Main Office:

ELRC Region 5
304 Wood Street, STE 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1928

Satellite Offices: (Beginning September 3, 2019)

Kingsley Association
6435 Frankstown Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Hosanna House
807 Wallace Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15221

Human Services Center
519 Penn Avenue
Turtle Creek, PA 15145

South Hills Interfaith Movement
41 Macek Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15227

Providence Family Support Center
3113 Brighton Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Focus on Renewal Learning Center
500 Chartiers Avenue
McKees Rocks, PA 1513

Phone: 412.350.3577
Toll-Free: 1.888.340.3572
Fax: 412.350.3575

E-mail: elrc5@alleghenycounty.us

Website: https://elrc5.alleghenycounty.us
Facebook: @ELRCregion5
Twitter: @ELRCregion5

What are the hours of operation?

Monday–Friday

8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (walk-ins accepted unitl 4:30 p.m.)

Tuesday

8:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. (5:00 - 7:00 p.m. by appointment only)

Who manages ELRC Region 5?

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) partners with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to support Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 in partnership with The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers and Trying Together.

In spring of 2018, the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) announced that the state was moving towards a new service model called an Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). This change was made to consolidate family and early learning provider services to better meet the needs of young children, their families, and the early childhood professionals who interact with them.

Updated July 25, 2019.

Courtney Centner