Support Quality Early Learning in NW PA

How you can support quality early learning in NW PA?

Top 10 Ways for Business To Take Action!

1. Donate to the NW Regional Key Technology Support Fund to help the NW Key reach Pennsylvania's goal of having all early care and education programs technology ready and connected to the Internet by 2010. Contact Jennifer Vargo at the NW Regional Key, 1-800-860-2281, x 128.

2. Participate in the Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Tax Credit (PKTC) Program—see the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for details on how you do this and the existing scholarship organizations in NW Pennsylvania.

3. Partner with your local NW Regional Key Community Engagement Group (CEG) to assist them in supporting high quality early care and education— click here to locate your local CEG.

4. Contact your local and state political leaders to let them know that high quality early care and education for children is a priority for you and why it is important.

5. Take the same message to others, such as trade associations, local Chambers of Commerce, and to your employees/fellow co-workers.

6. Create family-friendly business practices in your organization--see Families and Work Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that studies the changing workforce— www.familiesandwork.org

7. Offer to be a source of information for the early care and education programs within your community (e.g., to talk about your profession, travels, and so forth).

8. Support a book drive for your local early care and education programs. Talk with your local CEG to find out if any book drives are planned and how you can help the effort.

9. Provide one-on-one assistance to improve the operations and management of your local early care and education programs. Talk with your local CEG to find out about this option.

10. Help to increase quality early learning programs by partnering with other businesses and organizations. Talk with your local CEG to find out if there is a need in your community.

Want more?

For more ways you can support quality early learning at home and in our communities, visit: