The Learning Lamp

Child care availability is on the decline in Cambria County and has been since the pandemic. Join us for a session examining the causes and impact. We’ll also discuss potential solutions. This panel features a review of data and an expert panel including Andrea Heberlein, Executive Director of the PA Early Learning Investment Commission, Linda Thomson, President and CEO of Johnstown Area Regional Industries, and Karen Grimm-Thomas, Early Childhood Education Strategy Advisor to the Pennsylvania Key. Child care is a workforce support that is essential for families with young children. Without it, people cannot go to work and employers are left with job openings they can’t fill. A lack of child care is creating challenges in Cambria County. Since 2019, the county experienced a net loss of 17 child care providers. With 25% fewer child care providers and 385 less child care seats, parents are faced with tough decisions. Stay out of the workforce? Leave their child in an informal, less reliable, and potentially unsafe child care arrangement? Work shifts? There are no good answers. WHEN: August 8 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Workforce Center LGI at 101 Community College Way in Richland Township. Email hbuchmann@thelearninglamp.org or call 814-262-0732 x 242 to register! Seating is limited.

“Anything we can do to find a solution, I think, would help,” McAneny Brothers human resources director Shawn Kaufman said. He attended the event to learn more about the lack of available child care and what employers can do to help, noting that he has a few people with young children in his department. Kaufman said he knows firsthand how challenging searching for and trying to afford child care is, describing it as similar to taking out a second mortgage on a house. PA ELIC's Executive Director, Andrea Heberlein, joined The Learning Lamp, Creative Child Care Solutions, and Johnstown Area Regional Industries President and CEO Linda Thomson for a panel discussion. #InvestEarly Leah Spangler, Ed.D. Karen Grimm-Thomas Read more from Thursday's event in Cambria County: https://lnkd.in/e9acJprm

This week's Employee Spotlight features Morgan Chappell, Group Supervisor of the Before and After-School Program at Cambria Elementary. She's been working for The Learning Lamp for three years. Morgan expresses that she has gained "experience working with children and improved my teaching/social skills. Working at The Learning Lamp has taught me how to handle children’s behaviors, how to work through situations, how to talk to parents, and most importantly, how to be a better educator. Additionally, I have gained new friendships and memories that I know will stick with me no matter where life takes me." Thank you, Morgan, for your dedication. We are thankful to have you on the Learning Lamp team! #thelearninglamp #employeespotlight #ouremployeesareawesome

Ready for a Rewarding Career? Apply online at https://lnkd.in/eu8k2_RZ #Hiring

FEATURED JOB OF THE WEEK Be a leader in early education! Our Westmont Preschool is looking for a Full-Time Preschool Teacher and Director. Enjoy benefits like training, career advancement opportunities, holidays off, and more! Candidates must have an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or a Human Service related field. Bachelor's Degree or Master’s Degree is a plus. Apply online today: http://tiny.cc/4v3avz #hiring #johnstownpa #hiringnow

Child care availability is on the decline in Cambria County and has been since the pandemic. Join us for a session examining the causes and impact. We’ll also discuss potential solutions. This panel features a review of data and an expert panel including Andrea Heberlein, Executive Director of the PA Early Learning Investment Commission, Linda Thomson, President and CEO of Johnstown Area Regional Industries, and Karen Grimm-Thomas, Early Childhood Education Strategy Advisor to the Pennsylvania Key. Child care is a workforce support that is essential for families with young children. Without it, people cannot go to work and employers are left with job openings they can’t fill. A lack of child care is creating challenges in Cambria County. Since 2019, the county experienced a net loss of 17 child care providers. With 25% fewer child care providers and 385 less child care seats, parents are faced with tough decisions. Stay out of the workforce? Leave their child in an informal, less reliable, and potentially unsafe child care arrangement? Work shifts? There are no good answers. WHEN: August 8 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Workforce Center LGI at 101 Community College Way in Richland Township. Email hbuchmann@thelearninglamp.org or call 814-262-0732 x 242 to register! Seating is limited.

CORRECTION: Today, we recognize #AfterschoolAmbassadorsPA Amanda Peretin, online instructor, outreach and to go coordinator, The Learning Lamp. https://hubs.ly/Q02Jj2wd0 “OST programs are a great opportunity for students that may struggle in a traditional educational setting to find success and explore their options.” Amanda’s greatest takeaway from the PSAYDN Afterschool Ambassador program was that “advocates should always be ready to share information about their work with others. Sharing this knowledge is important because you never know if or how someone can help advance the OST cause.”

FEATURED JOB OF THE WEEK Become an Extended Day Educator with The Learning Lamp! Support students in our Before and After School Programs in the Johnstown Area. Benefits include training, development opportunities, and more! Candidates must have a High School Diploma and the ability to pass clearances. Apply online today at http://tiny.cc/4v3avz #Hiring #EducationCareers

Looking for a new job? We've got you covered! Apply today: https://lnkd.in/eu8k2_RZ #Hiring #Hiringnow

This week's Employee Spotlight features Alyssa Rager, Lead Young Toddler Teacher at The Learning Lamp Center for Children at Laurel Valley Elementary. She has worked for The Learning Lamp for two years. Alyssa says, "The Learning Lamp has helped me learn more about my preferred age to work with and also further train on that age group." Alyssa is working on obtaining her Child Development Associate Certificate through PASSHE! Thank you, Alyssa, for your dedication. We are thankful to have you on the Learning Lamp team!