OCDEL Offers Scholarship Through Pitt’s Infant Mental Health Certificate

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is offering a scholarship for professionals serving children and families in prenatal, infant, toddler, and preschool programs.

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The scholarship enables participants to take part at no cost in a pilot program through the University of Pittsburgh’s Infant Mental Health professional development certificate. It is aimed at the state’s licensed child care providers, Head Start/Early Head Start and PA Pre-K Counts programs. 

Traditionally, the course has been provided to Infant/Toddler Early Intervention, OCDEL-funded home visitors, Infant Early Childhood Mental Health, and Rapid Response team members. 

The course is being extended to providers as a result of ongoing discussions and evaluation of requests for professional development from the field. Its extension is due to the challenges faced by providers across the state who support the mental health and well-being of young children and families. 

The scholarship seeks to continue building the capacity of early learning professionals to partner with others and better support families in Pennsylvania, OCDEL said.

Those interested in applying can do so through The Pennsylvania Key on behalf of the Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development, OCDEL. The application for the 2025 Infant Mental Health (IMH) Certificate & Learning Circle - Scholarship is now open and closes on Nov. 15.

Information on applicant criteria, the approval and evaluation process for candidates, course consideration, registration information, the course structure, and FAQs can be found on The Pennsylvania Key’s website.