Helping families reach their promise

In order for children to thrive, they need a stable family and home life. Pennsylvania supports families so they can help their children develop and choose quality early learning opportunities for their children as they work, live and handle life’s challenges.

  • Pennsylvania’s Child Care Works Subsidy program makes it possible for low-income parents to work and provide for their families through child care assistance. Pennsylvania’s Child Care Information Services (CCIS) agencies give parents a wealth of resources on how to find the best care for their child.
     
  • The Nurse Family Partnership gives first time mothers the supports necessary to provide an excellent start for their children. Registered nurses work with the expectant mothers to ensure a healthy pregnancy, to engage in activities with the baby that will promote healthy development, and to make plans for the future.
     
  • Through Pennsylvania’s Parent Child Home Program, a home visitor helps parents learn how to read to and play with their children in a way in a way that strengthens verbal interaction and language development, builds a positive parent-child bond and provides a quality learning experience.
     
  • Pennsylvania’s Children’s Trust Fund is teaching parents and early childhood teachers ways to strengthen families and build protective factors in an effort to prevent child abuse and neglect before it begins.
     
  • Keystone STARS program also makes it possible for parents the gauge the quality learning environment of an early childhood program on a scale of STAR 1 to 4, so the parent can make smart choices about child care.
     
  • A key component of Pennsylvania’s Early Learning Standards is helping parents optimize their child’s learning, connecting parents with community services, helping parents transition their children to school, and helping to guide the work of the early learning program.
     
  • An important aspect of Head Start and Keystone STARS early childhood programs is supporting parent involvement in their child’s learning experience. Head Start and some child care teachers visit the home to discuss the child’s needs with the parents and provide support to the family.

 

About Pennsylvania's Promise for Children | Why quality early learning matters | Pennsylvania supports quality early learning | How you can support PA's Promise for Children