Shapiro Budget Offers Progress

Early Education Advocates Warn Historic Early Childhood Staffing Shortages will Persist HARRISBURG, PA (February 6, 2024) – Today, the principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five, issued the following statements regarding Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2024-25 state budget proposal. ELPA operates […]

How to find maternity care in rural Pennsylvania

Health care representatives and policymakers in Pennsylvania are warning of declining maternity services in rural parts of the commonwealth, a shift that’s making it harder for pregnant women in these communities to access vital care. But as hospitals continue to close down labor units and obstetricians exit some small towns, an array of organizations are […]

Free program helps Philly-area parents become their child’s ‘first teacher’

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — “I had no idea about the experience of childbirth at all,” said Jasmine Jackson. “And now, we have a cute little baby boy.” Jasmine Jackson and Mark Matthews are the proud parents of 6-month-old Malakhi Matthews. The new parents from Southwest Philadelphia had a lot to figure out on their own. But […]

Fathers find support, help through Scranton’s Outreach center

Outreach, based in Scranton, wants a region full of stronger dads. In the last year, the organization has expanded its programs for fathers, including starting a support group and increasing father involvement in family offerings, such as the program that brings Lewis to Duran’s apartment every other week. Lewis joined the center’s Parents as Teachers […]

Health Matters | Experts: Early learning crucial to kids’ success, makes list of prime local health needs

xperts say it’s hard to overstate the importance of getting babies and young children off to a good start, both physically and intellectually. “Healthy development in the early years provides the building blocks for educational achievement, economic productivity, responsible citizenship, lifelong health, strong communities and successful parenting of the next generation,” Harvard University’s Center on […]

State Budget Fails to Significantly Invest in Early Care and Education Amid Historic Labor Shortage

HARRISBURG, PA (July 6, 2023) – Today, the principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five, issued the following statements regarding House Bill 611 that still awaits the signature of the Senate President Pro Tempore and finally Governor Shapiro to become […]

Pennsylvania voters believe early childhood education is important; coalition poll

Partners of Early Learning PA Coalition says new polling data shows voters widely support early childhood care and education programs. The data, commissioned by the Early Learning PA Coalition and conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research, comes two weeks after a judge ruled Pennsylvania does not equitably fund public education. The poll, conducted from Feb. 1 […]

‘They risk it.’ Expecting mothers in rural Pa. have trouble finding care in growing maternity health deserts

There is no shortage of statistics or reports showing the lack of reproductive health care, and its effects, in Pennsylvania: More than 105,000 women between 18-44 years of age have limited or no access to maternity care, Physician General Denise Johnson has said. A study from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania found that 19 counties have […]

Helping hands: Nurse-Family Partnership helps first-time mothers, their babies thrive

Nurse-Family Partnership is an evidence-based model that serves lower-income, first-time mothers starting before the 29th week of pregnancy and ending when the child is 2 years of age. Backed by 40 years of research, Nurse-Family Partnership provides education, assessment, support and resources to help first-time parents and their children succeed. Regular home visits in pregnancy, […]

This New Group Is on a Mission to Better Support and Connect Philly-Area Moms

Parenthood comes with its own challenges: lack of sleep, a disrupted routine, physical and emotional changes you might need support for, trying to find new-parent friends, impractical advice from people who know nothing about your child, and more. That’s why Kutest Kids’ Parents as Teachers — a Philly-based program that runs free home visits and community programming — has just launched a […]

Danville Childhood Development Center

The coalition is working to build successful families in Montour and Columbia Counties,  joining leaders for an event at the Danville Childhood Development Center.

Those in attendance were: Angela Mattis, Montour County District Attorney; Ashley Mensch, director, Columbia County Family Center; Allison Shay, parent educator, Parents as Teachers; a mother benefiting from voluntary home visits and Kari King, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.

Montgomery County Home Visiting

Childhood Begins at Home held an event in March to highlight the need for more evidence-based home visiting in Montgomery County.

Those who participated included:

  • Nadine Miller, deputy administrator, Resource Division, Office of Children and Youth, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services;
  • Kevin Steele, Montgomery County District Attorney;
  • Rosemarie Halt, senior director of policy, Maternity Care Coalition;
  • A mother benefiting from voluntary home visits; and
  • Kari King, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.
Kingsley Center

Family support advocates joined together at the Kingsley Center to discuss the need for evidence-based home visiting in Allegheny County.

The event included:

  • Marc Cherna, director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services;
  • Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the Allegheny County Health Department;
  • Cara Ciminillo, executive director of Trying Together;
  • Local families benefiting from voluntary home visits; and
  • Kari King, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.
UPMC Susquehanna in Williamsport Press Conference

Lycoming County First Assistant District Attorney Martin Wade, joined with the Nurse-Family Partnership and other statewide and regional partners for a press conference at UPMC Susquehanna in Williamsport, to discuss evidence-based home visiting and the Childhood Begins at Home campaign’s efforts to ensure more state funding for the programs in Lycoming County.

Women with Child
Event Discussion
People Having a Discussion