Family Health Services partners with a wide variety of local organizations to support children, families, and communities:
In addition to being our primary funder, the Department of Human Services Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF) is one of Family Support’s largest community partners. Family Support and CYF staff work together to prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening and supporting families with young children. In addition to the foundational child development and parenting supports offered by all Centers, several locations host Family Team Conferencing meetings and Supervised Visitation for families involved with CYF.
Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC) supports high-quality care and education for young children from birth until age nine. Family Health Services partners with PAEYC on a biennial conference that offers guest speakers, workshops, activities, and professional development opportunities to parents, Family Support staff, early childhood specialists and other service providers and community members. Our most recent conference, PLAY! Transforming Children, Families, Communities and LIVES! took place over two days in September 2012 and focused on the importance of play on child development.
Gateway to the Arts works to transform children’s lives and positively affect their education through active participation in the arts. For our partnership, artists come to our Centers to work directly with parents and children. In the summer of 2012, artists held four-session “mini-residencies” at 20 Centers, working with nearly 500 children and adults to create artwork inspired by the critically acclaimed children’s book, “Whoever You Are” by Mem Fox. Artwork created by children and families was displayed at the PAEYC/Family Health Services Conference, PLAY! Transforming Children, Families, Communities and LIVES!.
Read about the story quilt created by children at the Lincoln Park Family Center.
Schools and early intervention agencies focus on issues of child development and school readiness. Family Support Centers partner with the Alliance for Infants and Toddlers and DART to connect children at risk of delays with services and supports. In addition, every Family Support Center has a relationship with their community school(s). Home-visiting staff work with parents to ensure that their children are prepared for kindergarten, and many Centers participate in the Ready Freddy Program through the Office of Child Development. As children transition to kindergarten and beyond, Centers support parents in building a positive relationship with their child’s school and advocating for any necessary services and supports.
