President Joe Biden just released his American Families Plan focused on strengthening the country’s social safety net and investing in our children. Surprisingly, the $1.8 trillion plan seems to be missing one essential component: scaling up successful, evidence-based and thus far dreadfully underfunded early childhood interventions for low-income families. In particular, it should include programs that provide regular […]
Press Release: Statement on Governor Wolf’s 2021-22 State Budget Proposal
“The Childhood Begins at Home campaign is disappointed that the governor’s 2021-22 state budget proposal does not include an increase for voluntary, evidence-based home visiting programs in Pennsylvania for the second year in a row. Given the current environment, the decision to not increase investments so more families are able to participate is perplexing because […]
OCDEL, PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Release 2020 Family Support Needs Assessment
In October 2020, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), in partnership with PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, released the 2020 Family Support Needs Assessment, which provides a landscape of maternal, young child and family health across Pennsylvania, and assesses the capacity and scope of home visitation services. Read here for more […]
Pennsylvania’s Early Learning Programs Level-Funded for Remainder of FY 2020-21
Advocacy campaigns continue to push on reimbursement policy and federal stabilization fund HARRISBURG, PA (November 20, 2020) – The principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five, thank the General Assembly for level funding state investments in high-quality pre-k, child care and evidence-based […]
Press Release: Childhood Begins at Home Statement on Passage of Stopgap Budget
Voluntary, Evidence-Based Home Visiting Services Preserved in Stopgap Budget HARRISBURG, PA (May 29, 2020) – The Childhood Begins at Home campaign released the following statement after passage of the five-month stopgap state budget: “Families need support now more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic and evidence-based home visiting services for our children and families will […]
How can we not protect children?
As a pediatrician who specializes in evaluating maltreated children in Central Pennsylvania, I have evaluated more than 5,000 cases. Throughout my career in this field, I am often asked how can I do this work. My answer is, “How can I not?” Read More.
Press Release: Pennsylvania’s Working Families Need Greater Investment in Early Learning Services
2020-21 State budget proposal: modest growth for pre-k; fails to expand critical child care and evidence-based home visiting services HARRISBURG, PA (February 4, 2020) – The principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five, are calling on the General Assembly to […]
Philly Maternity Care Coalition Helps Lower Infant Mortality Rate
In North Philadelphia, the Maternity Care Coalition is helping lower Philly’s infant mortality rate — one baby at a time. Read more.
Op-Ed: Living United: Nurse Family Partnership helps new moms navigate the first two years
The Lycoming County United Way’s mission is to “mobilize the collective resources of our community to change lives by fighting for the health, education, financial stability, and basic needs of every person in every community.” Read more.
Press Release: Gov. Wolf’s $5 Million Increase for Voluntary Evidence-Based Home Visiting Will Help 800 More PA Families
The governing body members of Pennsylvania’s home visiting coalition today thanked Gov. Tom Wolf and the General Assembly for their commitment to voluntary evidence-based home visiting programs. The $5 million increase for the Community-Based Family Centers line in this year’s state budget will give 800 more Pennsylvania families access to home visiting programs. The coalition […]
