Community Conversations

August 21, (6-9pm)

COMMUNITY BUILDING THROUGH NETWORKING

AND LEVERAGING SOCIAL CAPITAL Given the current political environment, we are creating a space for dialogue between community leaders and their constituents to address the challenges impacting the Low-Income Black community. We will provide an overview on the impact this current federal administration will have on education, housing,

economic development and social services.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Engaging Discussions - Connect with community voices.

Breakout Sessions - Grow your network in small groups.

Voter Registration - Register and mobilize to vote.

Action-Oriented Solutions - Turn shared power into action.

Held at CEA Homewood

7120 Kelly St, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

REGISTER AT CEAPITTSBURGH.ORG/EVENTS

Register for a free fair housing training on August 15th.

The Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations (PghCHR) is a civil rights enforcement agency focused on investigating instances of discrimination, providing outreach and education to communities about their rights, and recommending necessary protections in the City Code to provide all people in Pittsburgh with equal opportunities. Our goal is to decrease unfair treatment and discrimination by promoting justice and understanding among communities in the City of Pittsburgh.

Our office hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. We are closed on City-recognized holidays. Due to staff working a hybrid schedule, we ask that you please call 412-255-2600 or email human.relations@pittsburghpa.gov to schedule ahead of time. We cannot take walk-in appointments at this time.

The City of Pittsburgh has long recognized the importance of combating discrimination and resolving tensions between racial, ethnic, religious groups and nationalities. The Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations (PghCHR) is the official City agency that enforces laws prohibiting discrimination. What follows is a brief summary of our history defending civil rights in the City of Pittsburgh.

1955
The City of Pittsburgh enacts an ordinance establishing the Commission on Human Relations. This ordinance merges the city's two agencies administering the laws prohibiting discrimination in employment: the Pittsburgh Civic Unity Council (est. 1946) and the Fair Employment Practices Commission (est. 1952).

1959
The City of Pittsburgh enacts a fair housing ordinance for enforcement by the Commission.

1969
Sex is added by the City of Pittsburgh as a protected class.

1973
The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the Commission's ruling that employment / help wanted ads in The Pittsburgh Press, which separated job listings by sex, were violations of the anti-discrimination laws. The Court bans the practice.

1974
Pittsburgh voters pass a Home Rule Charter which establishes the Commission as an independent agency of city government.

1977
The Commission is designated as a "706" agency by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This designation allows for the "dual filing" of complaints under federal and local law.

1980
Disability and age (40 and over) are added by the City of Pittsburgh as protected classes.

1990
Sexual orientation is added by the City of Pittsburgh as a protected class.

1992
The Commission settles a race discrimination housing case which it initiated against the National Apartment Leasing Company for more than $200,000, which was, at that time, the largest fair housing settlement in Pennsylvania.

1992
Familial status is added by the City of Pittsburgh as a protected class under the fair housing ordinance.

1997
The Commission is designated by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) as a substantially equivalent agency to HUD regarding the rights and remedies available under the city's fair housing ordinance.

2004
The University of Pittsburgh agrees to provide health benefits to same-sex domestic partners of employees starting in January 2005. This decision ends a class action sexual orientation case originating the Pittsburgh Commission in 1996 by seven University of Pittsburgh employees.

2014
Gender identity and expression is added by the City of Pittsburgh as a protected class.

2016
Status as a survivor of domestic violence is added by the City of Pittsburgh as a protected class under the fair housing ordinance.

2019
Pregnancy is added as an protected class for employment. This legislation also includes partners of pregnant women.

2020
Preferred Language, Citizenship Status, and Natural Hairstyle (CROWN Act) to the list of classes protected against discrimination.

2021
Protections for Survivors of Domestic Violence are expanded to cover discrimination in employment.

2023

Protections for Survivors of Domestic Violence are expanded in housing to better protect those fleeing violence.

2024

Medical Marijuana Patients are added as a protected class for employment.

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe, and Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger kicked off the Shapiro Administration's 2025 Urban Agriculture Tour at Bidwell Training Center in Pittsburgh, where a high-tech greenhouse expansion funded through a historic Agricultural Innovation Grant is underway, and urban students are training for in-demand culinary and horticulture careers.

"Feeding opportunities for growth and economic prosperity in urban neighborhoods feeds all of our futures," Secretary Redding said. "The Shapiro Administration is committed to strengthening local economies through investments that improve quality of life and health by making sure families have fresh, healthy food within reach, and the inspiration, resources, and knowledge to grow fresh food in the future.

"Supporting partnerships with innovative problem-solvers like the leadership at Bidwell Training Center, and others like Grow Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council who joined us today multiplies our capacity to tackle major challenges like raising a skilled workforce and accessing land and capital."  

Speakers Include:
Representative Emily Kinkead
Mayor Ed Gainey
Agriculture Sec. Russell Redding
Ryan Gott - Bidwell Training Center Sr. Director of Horticulture and Agriculture Technology
Acting Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe

• PRESS RELEASE

Your Voices.  Your Action. Our Victory! 

CommUnity, I am proud to celebrate the successful preservation of the Stop the Violence Fund and the passage of key amendments to strengthen the legislation —a critical investment in the safety and wellbeing of our communities.

Despite ongoing public debate and calls by some to redirect these resources elsewhere, together we stood firm in the belief that saving lives must remain a top priority. In partnership with Council President Daniel Lavelle and Councilman Khari Mosley, we ensured this fund remains protected to continue supporting the community-based organizations on the front lines of violence prevention.

This isn’t just policy—it’s progress. From 2022 to 2024:

• Homicides dropped 41%
• Non-fatal shootings dropped 38%
• And in 2024, zero teenagers aged 13–17 were victims of homicide—a 100% decrease from previous years.

These results are real. They represent lives saved, futures protected, and neighborhoods growing stronger.

Let’s be clear: the Stop the Violence Fund is not a political football—it’s a promise. A promise to prioritize safety, invest in prevention, and stand with the people doing the work to make our communities safer every single day.

Congratulations to all who helped secure this crucial win. Together, we are proving that smart, community-driven investments can and do save lives. 

#StopTheViolence #CityofPittsburgh #LetsGetItDone

Mayor Ed Gainey, City of Pittsburgh

State lawmakers took part in a roundtable and toured a nonprofit in Westmoreland County that serves seven counties in southwestern Pennsylvania, supplying families and babies not only with the basics but also the ability to celebrate achievements and moments in life that sometimes can be overlooked depending on people’s personal finances.  

The House Majority Policy Committee and Black Maternal Health Caucus co-hosted a roundtable discussion and tour of Beverly’s PGH, which formerly went under the brand of Beverly’s Birthdays. Beverly’s PGH is a nonprofit with a dedicated mission of providing every child and family with the support and resources they need. 

“We included this event during the Black Maternal Health Week Summit because we have introduced Momnibus 2.0, which includes a variety of bills and legislation connected to the work of Beverly’s PGH,” said state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, who co-chairs the Black Maternal Health Caucus and co-hosted the event.

One of those bills, the Maternal and Newborn Supply Kit Program, has been introduced by Mayes and Rep. Gina H. Curry this session.

“This legislation would be a pilot program to examine how we can source these kits for moms and babies all across the commonwealth, and Beverly’s is the premier organization that does this work,” Mayes said.  

Beverly’s work includes Pennsylvania’s one-of-its-kind formula bank, with seven locations and one mobile bank. Since it opened in June 2022, it has helped serve the formula needs for about 3,500 babies and infants. 

“I want to thank the Black Maternal Health Caucus for the work they are doing in improving the health of not only Black moms but of all moms in the state,” said state Rep. Arvind Venkat, who co-hosted the event and represents portions of Allegheny County. “As a physician, I have seen this crisis pretty close at hand and can share stories of patients who unfortunately we have allowed to let fall through the gaps. This work and the Momnibus is really how we move the ball forward and make a difference.

“We’re seeing challenges to how we deliver health care around the country, and further threats that may be coming out of D.C.,” Venkat added.

Beverly’s Place founder and Executive Director Megs Yunn and her team explained their mission of celebrating and strengthening families. 

Like many nonprofits and businesses, Beverly’s has experienced uncertainty in product prices following the recent tariff announcements, which has provided another level of concern for the nonprofit as it attempts to acquire all the goods families, babies and children need.

“We are so happy to be able to partner with the Maternal Black Health Caucus and the work they are doing to bring serious issues to the forefront,” said House Majority Policy Chairman Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “We will continue the work needed to get these bills moving and improving lives across the state.” 

Beverly’s has existed for 13 years, and it has been located in its current North Huntingdon location for about three years. Beyond just providing basics, it also hosts baby showers and provides about 12,000 birthday gifts a year for children and families that could not otherwise celebrate in that manner. 

Information about this hearing and other House Majority Policy Committee hearings can be found at pahouse.com/policy. Photos to be used for publication can be found at pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee/Galleries.

The Millvale Community Library, 213 Grant Ave., is calling on library patrons to participate in a Library Expansion Working Group to assist library leadership with making design decisions. Using funding from an Allegheny Regional Asset District grant that was received in 2024, Millvale Community Library (MCL) will expand into the connecting building, 211 Grant Ave., which is currently rented out to Abeille Voyante Tea Co.

Danielle Spinola, owner of Abeille Voyante Tea Co., said her shop will move into 207 Grant Ave., which she purchased in 2019, but moving and renovations were paused due to the pandemic.

“The library and the tea shop have such a strong partnership that already exists, and that will grow with this expansion,” Spinola said. “If we could knock out a wall between the two buildings and build a bridge, we would.”

MCL’s main library is a large open space that is just over 2,600 square feet, which includes two public bathrooms and a small office. Expanding the library will allow for better separation of adult and youth spaces and provide areas for quiet reading, learning and meetings. The library is asking for community input on all facets of the conceptual design process and will be creating a Library Expansion Working Group led by Neighborhood Allies Social Impact Design (SID) team.

“This project is about honoring what already makes Millvale special while planning for what’s next,” said Tamara Emswiler, Senior Program Manager of the Neighborhood Allies Social Impact Design Program. “We’re proud to support a co-design process that preserves the library’s role as a vital community hub and supports the thoughtful growth of Abeille Voyante Tea Co. This kind of work is strongest when it reflects the values of a place—and Millvale continues to lead with inclusivity, connection, and a deep commitment to community-driven development.”

Over the course of 2025, SID will work with library patrons and to create a final design plan that is built on community aspirations and aligns with the library’s goals of creating functional space that enhances inclusivity and fosters community connection. This deliverable will be complete by the end of the year and fundraising will begin in 2026 with renovations taking place in 2026-2027.

The Heinz Endowments has started the new year by reaffirming its commitment to the Sarah Heinz House. The Endowments’ board of directors has approved two significant grants totaling $3.05 million. This funding will ensure that the organization, which is over 120 years old, remains a critical center of support for youth and families on Pittsburgh’s North Side and across the city and continues to foster healthy personal and social development for those it serves. The investment comes at a pivotal time as the Sarah Heinz House prepares to build on its legacy of service and continue adapting to meet the community's evolving needs in 2025 and beyond.

“The Sarah Heinz House has been a vital resource for generations of young people and families in Pittsburgh,” said Endowments President Chris DeCardy. “These investments ensure the facility remains a safe, welcoming space for the community to thrive and grow for years to come.”

The most recent grant, approved at the Endowments’ fall 2024 board meeting, awarded $1.8 million to the organization for critical upgrades to its facility, including roof repairs, resurfacing the indoor pool, replacing the climbing wall, updating fencing, and enhancing the building's security systems. Work on these projects is underway and will continue through 2025.

The pool resurfacing project was completed at the end of December 2024, a contractor has been selected for the fencing upgrades, and estimates for the new security systems are currently being solicited. These upgrades are essential to maintaining the safety and usability of the facility for its growing membership.

The Heinz Endowments has also provided $1.25 million to support a community outreach plan to extend the organization’s services to reach more youth and older adults in the North Side community and to help fund operations. This community outreach initiative is advancing and has so far led to considerable growth in participation. The Sarah Heinz House achieved a remarkable 159% increase in the number of youth members served in 2024 compared to 2023.

“The funding not only addresses our vital infrastructure needs but also enables us to expand our reach and enhance our impact,” said Sarah Heinz House CEO Demeshia Seals. “We are deeply appreciative for The Heinz Endowments’ unwavering belief in and support of our mission, 'to empower all, especially those who need us most, to laugh, learn and lead.'”

A founding member of the national Boys and Girls Club network, the Sarah Heinz House achieved another significant milestone in 2024 when it was designated as an Allegheny County senior center. Through this designation, the Sarah Heinz House has expanded its outreach to older adults with new programs and services, complementing its longstanding focus on empowering youth.

“Our partnership with the Sarah Heinz House reflects the shared belief that every child, regardless of their background, should have the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Carmen Anderson, vice president of Learning and Equity at the Endowments.

The Sarah Heinz House, established in 1901 on Pittsburgh’s North Side, is a historic community center dedicated to uplifting youth and families through education, recreation, and leadership development. Named in honor of Sarah Young Heinz, the late wife of H.J. Heinz Company founder Henry John Heinz, the center reflects her legacy of compassion and service to others. Originally founded to support immigrant families with English lessons and vocational training, it has evolved to offer a full slate of after-school and summer programs in STEM, robotics, arts, and athletics.

Bill Strickland will now dedicate his efforts to the Strickland Global Leadership Institute (SGLI), a nonprofit he founded to support the network of vocational training & arts education centers guided by his vision, facilitate the creation of new centers, and train people in how to start and lead these centers. The move follows Strickland’s retirement from Manchester Bidwell Corporation on January 1, 2025.

At SGLI, Strickland will serve as the Founder & Vice Chair. He will focus on driving support for the organization and helping current and future centers guided by his vision maximize their impact. Joining SGLI full-time provides Strickland with the opportunity to continue his life’s work of alleviating “cancer of the human spirit” through beautiful environments, caring instructors, supportive & challenging programming, and an overall culture of hope and personal transformation.

“It is wonderful to take this next step in continuing to spread the work begun at Manchester Bidwell around the world,” said Strickland. “SGLI is uniquely positioned to help communities invest in growth and wellness with pride, joy, and hope. I am excited to share my experiences and knowledge to help current and future centers transform lives.”

There are now 17 centers in the United States and abroad formed with Strickland’s methodology of unapologetically providing top-quality facilities and training to underserved communities.

Since its founding, SGLI has focused on developing a refined model for launching new centers that amplifies the successes of past center creation efforts. SGLI will also work collaboratively with existing centers to provide ongoing support that advances the unique missions and impact of each organization. It will also establish an academy to train people in how to start and lead centers. The organization is run by Anthony Cascione, SGLI’s President.

“The work of the centers animated by Bill’s vision has powerfully positive implications for communities within and outside the United States. With Bill’s leadership and expertise, SGLI is ready to help existing centers expand their impact and bring the transformative methods Bill has pioneered to more communities,” said Amy Atkinson,

Board Chair of both SGLI and the Hope Center for Arts & Technology in Sharon, PA.

Strickland founded the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild in 1968 from a rowhouse in Pittsburgh’s North Side to provide opportunities for young people to learn ceramics in a supportive, nurturing environment. He would later merge his arts education program with an adult vocational training school and operate both programs together under the same roof, as Manchester Bidwell Corporation.

Manchester Bidwell would go on to become the pioneering example of Bill’s vision for how to alleviate “cancer of the human spirit” through beautiful environments, caring instructors, supportive, challenging programming, and an overall culture of hope and personal transformation. Today, the center serves hundreds of young people and adults every year through vocational training & arts education in a 60,000 square foot facility complete with a commercial-grade teaching kitchen, 30,000 square foot greenhouse, and a jazz hall & Grammy Award-winning recording studio.

In the years since founding Manchester Bidwell, Bill and his vision gained international acclaim. For his work in vocational training and arts education, Bill earned the MacArthur Fellows Genius Award (1996), the Skoll Award (2007), the Goi Peace Award (2011), and more than 25 honorary doctorate degrees. His vision is the subject of four Harvard Business School Case Studies and is described (with piano accompaniment by Herbie Hancock) in his 2002 Ted Talk. Bill is the author of Make the Impossible Possible with Vince Rause.

Bill has guided the creation of nonprofit vocational training & arts education centers in the United States and abroad, including centers in San Francisco, Boston, New Haven, Cleveland, Buffalo, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Israel.

“I am so excited for Bill Strickland to take this next step in doing what he started on the North Side in Pittsburgh: spreading his vision to help people find jobs and make a positive difference in other cities and communities around the world. The Strickland Global Leadership Institute is a wonderful extension of the work Bill began at Manchester Bidwell to help other communities start their own centers and make a positive impact on their most important asset, their people,” said Kevin Acklin, Pittsburgh Penguins’ President of Business Operations and Board Chair of Manchester Bidwell Corporation.

To learn more about the Strickland Global Leadership Institute, visit www.stricklandgli.org 

Join us in supporting Jerome Bettis' mission to bridge the digital divide with his CyberBus program. 

Join us in our mission to empower under-resourced communities through digital literacy and education. The Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation is launching a $2.5 million capital campaign with a primary goal of raising funds by the end of 2025. This ambitious effort will allow us to expand our impactful programs, with a particular focus on our signature CyberBus initiative. Our goal is to introduce two additional CyberBuses—one in Pittsburgh and one in Detroit—by 2025, bringing essential computer science education and resources directly to the communities that need them most. Together, we can drive change and help build a brighter future for our youth. #RollWithTheBus

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Casa San Jose is a community resource center that advocates for and empowers Latinos by promoting integration and self-sufficiency. Monday, the organization celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for Casa San José’s new community center at 1600 Broadway Ave. This exciting milestone marks the beginning of a transformation that will create a vibrant space for Pittsburgh’s Latino community!

The event, held at 1600 Broadway Ave, was attended by community leaders including Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, families, and local advocates who came together to celebrate this significant achievement.

The new Casa San José Community Center will serve as a cultural hub and resource center, offering vital services to Latino families across the region. From educational programs to advocacy services, the center is designed to meet the community’s needs and foster a sense of belonging for Pittsburgh’s Latino residents.

“This is an incredible moment for Beechview and the entire Latino community in Pittsburgh,” said Congresswoman Summer Lee. “Casa San José has been a pillar of strength, empowerment, and advocacy. Today’s groundbreaking marks the next chapter in their mission to ensure every Latino family has the support they need to thrive. This community center will be a safe haven for families to come together, celebrate their culture, and access the resources they deserve.”

Casa San José has been at the forefront of addressing the needs of Latino immigrants in Pittsburgh, offering programs and services that help new residents establish roots, integrate into the community, and flourish. The new community center will further enhance these efforts, providing a permanent space where families can connect, grow, and succeed.

“Building spaces by and for the community is how we create lasting change,” continued Lee. “Casa San José has shown us what’s possible when we center community-led solutions. I’m committed to standing with them every step of the way.”

The event was a celebration of community pride, resilience, and the collective vision of Casa San José’s staff and leadership, including Executive Director Monica Ruiz, who has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission. The groundbreaking symbolizes the start of a new era for the Latino community in Beechview, one that will foster empowerment, support, and opportunity for generations to come.

Pittsburgh Pioneer Education Center Unveils New Aquatic Therapy Pool: A Milestone in Enhancing Student Well-Being Through Specialized Aquatic Therapy

The Pittsburgh Pioneer Education Center proudly unveiled its newest addition—a state-of-the-art therapy pool designed to provide essential aquatic therapy services to students with multiple disabilities. This significant milestone was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the school’s ongoing dedication to student well-being and academic achievement. Staff, students, families, 

community members, and District leadership gathered on Wednesday to commemorate the momentous occasion, 14 years in the making. The new therapy pool, funded by Elementary
and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, is a vital resource designed to provide specialized aquatic therapy for students. With the capacity to accommodate up to four individuals at a time, it stands as one of only three such facilities in the region—and the only
one offered by a public school. This pool will deliver essential therapeutic interventions for some of the District’s most vulnerable students. 

Superintendent Dr. Wayne Walters, who attended the event, expressed his enthusiasm for this significant milestone, stating, "This new aquatic therapy pool represents a tremendous leap forward in our ability to meet the diverse needs of our students. I am filled with excitement for the many students who will benefit from it in the years to come. I look forward to celebrating with you all again when we witness the positive impact this pool will have on the lives of our students." 

Proud Pittsburgh Pioneer mom Kelly Luhn also spoke at the event, highlighting the profound impact the new therapy pool will have on students. "Some of these children have never had the chance to be in a pool before. They've never had the opportunity to get in the water, feel it on their bodies, and use it to help them develop. Maybe to grow stronger, learn balance, how to stand up, and maybe even how to walk," she shared, underscoring the pool's potential to transform lives. 

As a part of our commitment to creating opportunities for community engagement and investment in our work, Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh welcomes volunteers to participate in a wide range of activities that provide direct support for our clients and staff.

We are excited to partner with local and national businesses that believe that everyone deserves to live in a safe and healthy home.

Read about our Corporate Partnership Opportunities here to learn about the different ways your organization can help deliver critical home repairs to our low-income neighbors.

Have a group that can’t donate? Let’s talk.

If you have ideas for other ways you’d like to collaborate with RTP, please contact give@rtpittsburgh.org.

Serving as a vehicle for youth education and development, the Youth Farm at Hilltop Urban Farm engages school-aged children from the Hilltop communities with food production and teamwork. Partnering with the Pittsburgh Arlington School, Lighthouse Cathedral, and the New Academy Charter School, the Youth Farm acts as a living agricultural and ecological laboratory for children. It promotes the teaching of Nutrition & Cooking, Growing Food, Local Food Systems, Agriculture as a Career Pathway, and Ecology of Western Pennsylvania through the lens of urban farming with the support of program partners Penn State Extension, Allegheny Land Trust Education Department, Power Up, and Grow Pittsburgh.

All elements of the Youth Farm are visually appealing, colorful, child-friendly and scaled to size. Children can expect to learn, play and interact among raised bed growing areas, youth gardens, a youth orchard and a youth food forest.

After-school programs, summer camp, youth employees, tours & workshops. Reach out to learn more about what is being offered this year. 

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Get out and about while safely working on projects that help create a more vibrant and beautiful Downtown. 

As people begin returning to the neighborhood, volunteers are needed now, more than ever, to preserve, beautify, and clean up our historic Downtown. Volunteering with our highly-acclaimed Clean Team is an impactful way to get outside and enjoy the neighborhood while also ensuring it remains a welcoming space for all.

And, of course, your safety is a priority. All volunteers will follow proper health and safety protocols, social distancing, and face masks/covering requirements to stay safe while working effectively.

Our volunteers work weekdays and weekends on a wide variety of projects. Volunteer initiatives all revolve around our mission to make Downtown vibrant, clean, and accessible, and can include picking up litter, cleaning graffiti, weeding public spaces and parks, raking leaves, and cleaning public fixtures like newspaper boxes, light fixtures, and bus shelters. 

Additionally, volunteers may be mobilized following large events like parades, celebrations, and more. Our volunteers are a crucial part of ensuring residents, workers, and visitors always see an energetic city in motion, and we could not accomplish what we do without their help!

Whether you’re a Downtown resident looking to help keep the neighborhood clean, a corporate team looking for an out-of-office experience to give back to the community, a school group planning a service day, or just someone interested in making Downtown Pittsburgh shine, we can craft a volunteer experience suited to your needs.  

Visit our volunteer scheduling page on the Pittsburgh Cares hub to browse available volunteer dates and register for upcoming opportunities. 

Register Now

The Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Education Department provides children, birth to five, with a comprehensive program designed to reinforce and respond to the unique strengths and needs of each individual child and family. Kimberly Russo Joseph, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Education Programs shares more detail information about how these programs are helping children in Pittsburgh thrive early on in their learning process. 

One on One with Kimberly Russo Joseph –Pittsburgh Public Schools - Executive Director Early Childhood Education

Kimberly Russo Joseph is the Executive Director for the Early Childhood Education Program at Pittsburgh Public Schools. The Early Childhood Education Program encompasses grants from Federal Head Start and Early Head Start, state grants for Pre-K Counts and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program and provides Early Intervention (ages 3-5) services for the City of Pittsburgh. Prior to this position, Ms. Russo Joseph spent 15 years working for the Early Childhood Education Program as an Education Coordinator and Program Officer and she was also a pre-k teacher for six years in both Pittsburgh Public Schools and Norfolk Public Schools. In addition to being a life-long early childhood educator, Ms. Russo Joseph is also the mother of two young children, Bella (age 3) and Maddy (age 18 months). Pictured right. 

PUM: Tell us more about your role overseeing the Early Childhood programs at PPS. 

As the Executive Director of the Early Childhood Education Programs at Pittsburgh Public Schools, I support the staff who work with children and families from prenatal through age five through multiple grants and programs. These programs include:

• The Early Childhood/PreK Program for children ages 3-5 years is funded through Federal Head Start, the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program (HSSAP), and PA PreK Counts grant.
• The Early Head Start Program is for families from pregnancy through 36 months.
• The Early Intervention Program provides special education services for children ages 3-5 in various settings.

All these programs and grants work together to provide holistic services to children and their families across Pittsburgh.

PUM: What special projects and goals are you focused on this year to help improve these programs? 

This year we have been implementing Conscious Discipline thanks to a special grant from the R.K. Mellon Foundation. Conscious Discipline focuses on child and adult social-emotional well-being. It helps the staff support our children as they develop self-regulation skills, manage their feelings, make friends, share with others, and express themselves in a safe and healthy manner. This Program has been so great because, coming out of covid lockdown, many young children didn’t have the typical social interactions they would have in the past. This Program has helped us make up for that social development learning loss in a fun and interactive way.

PUM: There are various programs available at the Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Education Department that provide children, ages Birth to Five, with a comprehensive, flexible program designed to reinforce and respond to the unique strengths and needs of each individual child and family. What do families need to know about these programs? What makes these some of the best programs in the region?

The PPS ECE Program has multiple grants so we can provide high-quality early childhood services free of charge to most families in Pittsburgh. Currently, we operate 84 Early Childhood/PreK classrooms, 4 Early Intervention classrooms, and 6 Early Head Start classrooms in PPS school buildings. Our Early Childhood Program classrooms operate 6 hours a day and are led by highly qualified staff with specialized child development and early education training. All our lead teachers have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and over 50 percent also hold a master’s degree. All of our assistant teachers hold the minimum of an associate’s degree or a child development credential. In addition to our classroom staff, every family is assigned a Family Services Specialist whose job is to support each family with their personal goals and help them with whatever resources they may need.

All of our Early Childhood Education Program classrooms utilize a researched-based curriculum aligned to both state and federal early learning standards to ensure that all academic skills are addressed throughout the day. The Program also strongly believes in the power of play, so intentional learning centers are set up in every classroom for students to learn and explore while interacting with their peers in a playful setting. The teachers also work with the families to set individual learning goals for every child. In addition to whole group time, the children engage in small group lessons designed to address their learning and developmental goals.

In addition to our district classrooms, we partner with multiple high-quality early childhood programs across the city through our HSSAP and PreK Counts grants because we know our 6-hour day only works for some. When we partner with a childcare center, we provide them with curriculum materials, mental and behavioral health services, an Education Coach, and Family Services Specialists so we can assure that all children, no matter where they attend, receive high-quality services so they can be social-emotionally and academically ready to start kindergarten. We also offer an Early Head Start home-visiting program for pregnant mothers, infants, and toddlers, so we can bring our services to you if you are at home.

Having various options for families, and keeping families involved in their child’s education, is a significant part of our holistic approach to child development and early education.

PUM:  Why should families enroll their children in an early childhood program?

Research has shown over and over again the importance of the first five years of a child’s life. Approximately 90% of brain development happens before age 5, so we must expose young children to environments that foster this rapid development. High-quality early childhood programs are designed with this in mind and are constructed to address not only academic skills and development but also social-emotional development. Children who have early solid childhood experiences and develop a love of learning at an early age do much better in kindergarten and beyond since they come into formal schooling with a strong foundation.

PUM: How old must a child be to enroll in the Early Childhood Program?

Our Early Head Start Program enrolls families from prenatal through 36 months, and our Early Childhood/PreK Program registers children from 36 months/3 years through age 5 (children who do not meet the September 30 cut-off date for kindergarten).

PUM: Does a family have to choose a school in my neighborhood?

No, the Early Childhood Education Program does not provide transportation, so families are welcome to enroll their child at any school or center that they can easily access.

PUM: How many days a week does the Program operate?

All PPS Early Childhood Education Program classrooms operate five days a week for 6 hours a day and follow the PPS district calendar regarding holidays, days off, and early release days.

PUM: What other services are available through the Early Childhood Program?

In addition to regular classroom education, the Early Childhood Education Program provides all children with various screenings such as developmental, behavioral, growth, hearing, vision, and speech screenings, and then offers Early Intervention services for those in need. The Program also provides mental health services to children and families in need and can help families create individualized plans for home life. The Program also partners with several outside organizations to enhance what’s happening in the classroom, such as the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, the Carnegie Science Center, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, and more so children have exposure to a myriad of topics and genres.

PUM: How do families apply?

Families apply for the Early Childhood/PreK Program online: https://www.pghschools.org/ec-enrollment. We are currently accepting applications for a few remaining slots for the 2022-23 school year and applications for the next school year (2023-24). More information about the application process, as well as more information about the Program and a list of sites, can be found on the PPS ECE website at https://www.pghschools.org/earlychildhood.

Families interested in applying for our Early Head Start Program should call (412) 529-8020 or (412) 529-8029.

PUM: How does the Lottery application process work?

Families who apply for the 2023-24 school year on or before March 24 will be entered into the PreK lottery. A lottery is run whenever there are more applications than available seats at a particular location. The lottery is a computerized random drawing. Families that apply in time for the lottery will be notified of their status by May 16, 2023.

If a family misses the lottery window, that’s ok; we accept applications year-round and will enroll age-eligible students wherever we have classroom space.  

PUM: Any important upcoming dates for registration? 

The 2023-24 school year application opened up on February 1. To be included in the lottery, the application must be complete by March 24. We have rolling admission, so applications are accepted year-round.