Children and parents will get the vital resources and support they need to help with early development thanks to a newly adopted program. Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton held a kick-off event today for its recently adopted “Parents as Teachers” program. The program offers a range of services, such as home visits […]
Pennsylvania diocese launches parent education program
The Diocese of Scranton in Pennsylvania launched a parent education program this fall designed to provide support and resources for local families. The “Parents As Teachers” program offers support, resources, and formation for parents raising young children. This includes home visits from educators, workshops on parenting, and other educational resources, according to the diocese. The […]
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 […]