October 4, 2021 Family Transitions and Routines: Resources Learn how to navigate family transitions. Whether your child is transitioning from home to child care, from child care to kindergarten, or from one activity to another, realistic expectations and consistent routines can help them prepare for new scenarios which, in turn, makes navigating these transitions easier for you as well. To learn strategies for building strong routines, discussing change with young children, navigating family transitions, and more, view the list of resources below. Children’s Books, TV, and Movies Suggested Children’s Books to Support Transition, Human Development Institute 14 books to help ease children through transitions, The Art of Simple 45 Books to Get Kids Through Life’s Trickiest Transitions, Real Simple 16 Books to Help Kids Get Ready for the New School Year, Read Brightly Book Lists That Help Kids Through Transitions, No Time for Flashcards Starting School: Books to Help Ease the Transition, Childhood 101 The Best Children’s Books About Death, Fatherly 12 Books to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety for All Ages, Scholastic Back-to-School Books, Common Sense Media Back-to-School TV, Common Sense Media Back-to-School Movies, Common Sense Media Kids’ Books About the Immigrant Experience, Common Sense Media Movies to Help Kids Deal with Grief, Common Sense Media Movies to Help Kids Understand Divorce, Common Sense Media Books to Help Kids Deal with Divorce, Common Sense Media Books About a New Sibling, Common Sense Media 10 Relaxing Books to Help Kids Drift Off to Dreamland, Common Sense Media Books About Puberty, Common Sense Media Kids & Teens Booklists, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Selected Children’s Books About Kindergarten, Head Start Routines and Rituals Building Structure, CDC Answers from Experts, CDC Quick Tips, CDC Creating Structure and Rules (Videos), CDC Family routines: how and why they work, Raising Children Network Tackling Transitions with a Toddler, Montessori in Real Life How to Get Preschoolers Into a Routine After School, PBS Kids Why family routines and rituals are important, Evergreen Psychotherapy Center Family rituals: what are they?, Raising Children Network Easing a Toddler’s Daily Transitions, Parents The Environment: Schedules and Routines, Virtual Lab School How to Create a Morning Routine for Your Kids, Develop Good Habits Bedtime Routines for Children, Sleep Foundation Empowering Our Babies With Rituals, Janet Lansbury Essential Elements of a Baby Bedtime Routine, Janet Lansbury The Importance of Schedules and Routines, Head Start Creating Routines for Love and Learning, Zero to Three 10 Reasons A Daily Routine is Important for Your Child (and How to Set One), Petit Why Kids Need Routines, Aha! Parenting It’s All Routine, Regarding Baby Parents’ Guide to Routines for Kids, pathways.org Routines, Rituals, Consistency, and Structure for Kids (Video), Julie B Routines: The Unexpected Power of Habits, Practices, and Rituals, TEDx Talks The Importance of Routines for Kids, Zero to Thrive 5 Reasons to Establish a Toddler Routine, Parents Disrupted Routines Dealing with Behavioral Challenges from Disrupted Routines, Encompass Do time changes, vacations and other changes affect your child’s behavior?, Morneau Shepell Transitions in Early Learning Moving from an Infant to a Toddler Child Care Classroom: Embracing Change and Respecting Individual Differences, NAEYC Transition to Child Care for Children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds, ResearchGate Daily Separations and Reunions, ECLKC Helping Children Understand Routines and Classroom Schedules, CSEFEL Change Doesn’t Have to Be Hard: Classroom Transitions, Head Start Helping Children Make Transitions between Activities, CSEFEL Terrific Transitions | Scholastic | Parents, Scholastic Starting Kindergarten Kindergarten Transition, Trying Together Your Child Is Going to Kindergarten: Making the Move Together, Head Start Transition to Kindergarten: Resource Guide, Head Start Transitions Resources for Families, Head Start Transition to Kindergarten: Why It Matters and How to Promote Success, Head Start Kindergarten Transition Parent Handbook, AIU 3 8 Tips to Prepare for the First Days of School, Scholastic Transitioning to Kindergarten, NAEYC Transition to Kindergarten, ECLKC TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN, The PA Key Transitioning to Kindergarten: A Toolkit for Early Childhood Educators, AFT 9 Ways to Get Your Child Ready for Kindergarten, Understood Easing First Day Jitters: Strategies for Successful Home-to-School Transitions, NAEYC Transitions to Kindergarten, NAEYC Helping Kids Transition to Kindergarten, Kaplan Top Ten Tips for the Transition to Kindergarten, William James College Transition to Kindergarten, Ready Freddy 12 ways to help a child make the transition to kindergarten, Harvard Health Publishing Child Development Supporting Transitions: Using Child Development as a Guide, Head Start Infant/Toddler Transitions, Head Start Transitions: From the Children’s Perspective, ECLKC Playful Routines Five Essentials to Meaningful Play, NAEYC 10 Playful Solutions For Morning & Evening Routines, Positive Parenting Connection 9 Ways to Make Household Chores Fun, Scholastic How to make grocery shopping with kids fun, Focus on the Family Tips and Tricks to Make Bath Time Fun, Kids Kandoo 100 Simple Ideas for Parents to be Playful and Silly with Kids, A Fine Parent Mindfulness The Power of “Good Morning”, NAEYC Mindful Morning Meetings, NAEYC Adaptations and Targeted Support Supporting Dual Language Learners With Schedules and Transitions, Head Start Early Intervention Transition: Preschool Programs to School-Aged Programs, PA Dept. of Education The Importance of a Daily Schedule for Kids with ADHD: Sample Routines and More, ADDitude Challenging Behaviors Why Does My Kid Struggle with Transitions?, Charlotte Parent Planning Transitions to Prevent Challenging Behavior, NAEYC Reducing Challenging Behaviors during Transitions: Strategies for Early Childhood Educators to Share with Parents, NAEYC Responding to Behavior, CDC Answers from Experts, CDC Why kids have trouble following a routine or schedule, Understood Child won’t follow a routine or schedule? Try these 5 tips, Understood 5 morning problems solved, Today’s Parent When routines for your kids don’t work, you might be the problem, Being Dads 51 Mindfulness Exercises for Kids in the Classroom, Waterford.org When a Child Can’t Get Her Act Together in the Morning, Janet Lansbury Opportunities to Practice Creating Structure & Rules: Can We Make It Simple?, CDC Communicating with Your Child: What Would You Say?, CDC Giving Directions: What Would You Do?, CDC Using Discipline and Consequences: What Would You Do?, CDC Getting your children into a routine – DIY Routine Board (Video), And then she said Practice Routines: Daniel Tiger Bathtime Helper, PBS Kids Sample Schedules How to Create a Family Schedule (Spanish), Trying Together 5 Realistic Daily Schedules for Kids, From Ages 0 to 11, PureWow Daily Schedule for Kids (Printable), Mommyhood101 How to Build Cooperation, Independence and Listening Using a Printable Schedule for Kids, The Military Wife and Mom DAILY SCHEDULE • AGES 5-8, The Children’s Center Get Ready for Kindergarten! Activity Calendar for Families, ECLKC
April 23, 2021 Mindfulness for Children About According to the Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley University of California, mindfulness is the practice of “maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment through a gentle, nurturing lens.” When practiced, mindfulness techniques can relieve stress, decrease blood pressure, and regulate your breathing. Mindfulness techniques also provide opportunities for children and adults to practice self-control, compassion, kindness, and emotional regulation. Mindfulness Guide To help families learn about mindfulness, the New York Times created an online guide for families. The guide explains mindfulness and provides strategies for infants, toddlers, young children, older children, and teenagers. Additional resources are also provided. To learn more, view the guide! Additional Resources To learn more about mindfulness, view the resources listed below: Mindfulness Toolkit, Transforming Education Mindfulness for Kids, Mindful 25 Fun Mindfulness Activities for Children and Teens, Positive Psychology Mindful Art Activities for Kids, Empowering Education Ease your anxious child: 6 simple mindfulness exercises to try today, Motherly Rainbow Relaxation, The Mental Health Teacher Belly Breathing: Mindfulness for Children, The Mental Health Teacher Kids Meditation – Square Breathing (Focus & Calm), MyLife Yoga for Kids!, STORYHIVE Free Smiling Mind App
Child Wellness Brochures, Fred Rogers Center About Inspired by the legacy and work of Fred Rogers, the Fred Rogers Center created free, downloadable Child Wellness Brochures to support children and caregivers on a variety of topics related to child wellness. As Fred Rogers said, “Even in hard times such as this, you are just what your child needs.” View the Guides The Fred Rogers Center’s Child Wellness Brochures provide information and resources on the following topics: Grief, Addiction, Cancer, and Divorce & Separation. Hard copies are also available to order. To order copies, contact info@fredrogerscenter.org. More Information For more information, visit the Fred Rogers Center website.
Family Resources of Pennsylvania Parenting Warmline Parenting support is available. Are you the parent or caregiver of a young child? Are you looking for parenting support? The Family Resources of Pennsylvania Parenting Warmline is here to help. About The Family Resources of Pennsylvania Parenting Warmline is a free, confidential hotline for parents and caregivers with non-medical parenting concerns and questions. The Parenting Warmline is also able to provide referrals. The hotline is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Individuals who wish to call outside of those hours can leave a confidential voicemail message. A trained counselor will return the call as soon as possible. Contact the Warmline Main Number: 412.641.4546 If you live in Allegheny County, call 1.877.927.6596. If you live outside of Allegheny County, call 1.800.641.4546. Individuals can also email help@familyresources.org to access support. Learn More Family Resources of Pennsylvania provides a range of prevention, intervention, treatment, and counseling services. For more information, visit their website.
Self-Care: Resources for Families Self-Care Matters The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for children and adults alike. While it can seem impossible to juggle both your needs and your family’s everyday needs, make sure to prioritize your well-being as a parent or caregiver. This will not only benefit your health and wellbeing but will also benefit your family. About To help families identify ways to prioritize self-care, Child Mind Institute created the resource, “Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus.” The resource explores strategies families can incorporate, including setting boundaries, prioritizing healthy choices, reconnecting with things you enjoy, and more. Self-Care Resources For information on how to prioritize self-care, view the full article by Child Mind Institute and check out the following resources: A Guide to Self-Care for Parents: Why Making Time For Yourself Matters, Waterford Importance of Self-Care: Why Parents Need Time Out to Recharge, HealthyChildren 25 Simple Self-Care Tools for Parents, Psychology Today Self-Care for Parents, PBS Kids Raising Socially Conscious Kids: Self Care for Parents, First Up Five Things You Should Know About Stress, National Institute of Mental Health
Social-Emotional Development: Family Resources Support your child’s development. Social-emotional skills play an important role in the lives of parents, caregivers, and children. If you are interested in learning about social-emotional development, activities, tools, and more, check out our list of resources below. Social-Emotional Development Developing Social-Emotional Skills, ZERO TO THREE Building Social and Emotional Skills at Home, NAEYC List of Developmental Milestones, CDC Milestone Tracker App, CDC Helping Kids Express Their Emotions, PBS Kids for Parents Emotions & Self-Awareness, PBS Kids for Parents Social Skills, PBS Kids for Parents How to Help Your Child Develop Empathy, ZERO TO THREE How Children Really Learn Empathy, Janet Lansbury Being The Person Our Children Confide In, Janet Lansbury No Angry Kids – Fostering Emotional Literacy In Our Children, Janet Lansbury Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Episodes, Fred Rogers Productions How Technology Affects Kids’ Social Emotional Learning, Common Sense Media Self-Esteem and Confidence Developing Self-Esteem in the Early Years, ZERO TO THREE Empowering a Passive or “Shy” Child, Janet Lansbury Nurturing Your Child’s Independence, PBS Kids for Parents Most Effective Ways to Help Kids Who Are Too Hard on Themselves, PBS Kids for Parents 12 Tips for Raising Confident Kids, Child Mind Institute Your Child’s Self-Esteem, KidsHealth Challenging Emotions and Behaviors Guidance and Challenging Behaviors, NAEYC Understanding and Responding to Children Who Bite, NAEYC Responding to Your Child’s Bite, CSEFEL Tantrums, Defiance, Aggression – Oh My!, ZERO TO THREE I Said I Want the Red Bowl! Responding to Toddlers’ Irrational Behavior, ZERO TO THREE Helping Young Children Channel Their Aggression, ZERO TO THREE Managing Emotions as Parents, PBS Kids for Parents How to Be a Less Anxious Parent and Enjoy Your Child, Janet Lansbury 5 Ways to Help Kids Build Resilience, PBS Kids for Parents Family Guides and Tip Sheets Mindfulness for Children Guide, New York Times How to Get Help for Your Child (English & Spanish), CDC How to Help Your Child Understand and Label Emotions, TACSEI How to Help Your Child Recognize & Understand Sadness, TACSEI How to Help Your Child Recognize & Understand Anger, TACSEI Teaching Your Child About Feelings from Birth to Age 2, CSEFEL Mindfulness Toolkit, Transforming Education Trauma-Informed SEL Toolkit, Transforming Education A Parent’s Resource Guide to Social and Emotional Learning, Edutopia Social And Emotional Learning Activities For Families And Educators Let’s Talk About Feelings, Child Care Aware of America Activities for Children Using Emojis With Kids to Express Feelings, PBS Kids for Parents 10+ Social Emotional Activities for Home, Pathway 2 Success 5 Art Activities For Social Emotional Learning, Better Kids Art Activities for Social Emotional Learning, Pathway 2 Success 50 Activities that Support Social-Emotional Learning, The Art of Education University 5 Easy Social Emotional Learning Activities For Kids To Do At Home, Better Kids Mindful Art Activities for Kids, Empowering Education Online Coloring Games, PBS Kids Online Teamwork Games, PBS Kids Online Music Games, PBS Kids Meditation Apps for Kids, Common Sense Media 17 Apps to Help Kids Stay Focused, Common Sense Media Best for Character Development, Common Sense Media MotherCould Instagram Account Self Care 11 Simple Self-Care Habits for Kids, PBS Kids for Parents A Guide to Self-Care for Parents: Why Making Time For Yourself Matters, Waterford Importance of Self-Care: Why Parents Need Time Out to Recharge, HealthyChildren 25 Simple Self-Care Tools for Parents, Psychology Today Self-Care for Parents, PBS Kids Support Services Jeremiah’s Place Jeremiah’s Place provides a safe haven of respite, health, renewal, and support for children and families during times of crisis. Services are provided for free and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Family Resources of Pennsylvania Parenting Warmline This is a free, confidential hotline for parents and caregivers with non-medical parenting concerns and questions. Their main number is 412.641.4546, or you can email help@familyresources.org to access support. If you live in Allegheny County, call 1.877.927.6596. If you live outside of Allegheny County, call 1.800.641.4546. PA 2.1.1 Southwest (Call 2.1.1 or text your zip code to 898.211.) PA 2.1.1. Southwest provides access to an extensive list of resources for families in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Specialists can provide referrals to human needs resources, physical and mental health resources, child care programs, and more. Pennsylvania Family Support Programs Family Centers in Allegheny County SAMHSA National Helpline (1.800.662.4357) This is a free, confidential information service for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Toll-Free 24-Hour Emotional Support Helpline (866.342.6892), Optum National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.8255) NAMI National HelpLine Warmline Directory, NAMI SEL and Mental Health Resources for COVID-19, SEL4US Single Mom Defined Facebook Group Developmental Concerns Free “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Materials, CDC Concerned About Your Child’s Development?, CDC “Concerned About Your Child’s Development?” in ASL, CDC Developmental Milestones, CDC Developmental Quizzes, TEIS Early Intervention Early Learning GPS, Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children Early Intervention What is “Early Intervention”?, CDC Early Intervention, Pennsylvania Department of Education Early Intervention, Peal Center Early Intervention Parent Information, The Early Learning Institute (TELI) CONNECT Helpline: The CONNECT Helpline assists families in locating resources and providing information regarding child development for children ages birth to age five. Call 1.800.692.7288, email help@connectpa.net, or submit this online form. The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers If you live in Allegheny County, call 412.885.6000. If you live outside of Allegheny County, call 1.800.692.7299. TEIS Early Intervention Call 412.271.8347, text INFO to 412.543.8398, or email info@teisinc.com. Achieva Early Intervention Early Intervention Specialists Early Intervention Program, Pittsburgh Public Schools COVID-19 How to Support Children (and Yourself) During the COVID-19 Outbreak, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University Virus Anxiety Resources
Navigating Difficult Emotions as Caregivers: A Guide for Families About From the moment a parent or caregiver meets their child, they experience a shift in their daily lives, expectations, and roles. Navigating these changes can be difficult, but as many caregivers have said: “The experience of watching your child learn, develop, and grow is well worth it.” To support families, Trying Together developed the following guide on navigating emotions as a parent or caregiver. Although the strategies and support services included will not eliminate the challenges families face entirely, they can help make the journey a little easier. Strategies for Navigating Difficult Emotions Stay In Tune With Your Emotions Recognize that it is natural to experience difficult emotions. There is no shame in feeling angry, sad, or upset. However, it does matter what you do with those emotions. Take 10 minutes to reflect on your thoughts and emotions. You can do this silently or by writing your reflections in a journal. Think through the following questions: How am I feeling today? Why am I feeling this way? Did something specific cause this feeling? Is this feeling temporary or have I felt this way for a long time? Have I told anyone about this feeling? Why or why not? Where am I holding those feelings in my body? Am I tensing my shoulders? Clenching my jaw? Overthinking? How am I interacting with others? Are my emotions impacting my interactions? What can I do to relax, cope with this feeling, or get into a better headspace? Who can I reach out to for support? What time should I reach out to them? What am I grateful for today? What am I proud of? Managing Emotions In The Moment Take a pause before you respond to someone or a situation. When we experience big emotions, those emotions can influence our reactions. Taking a moment allows you to recognize how you are feeling and implement strategies to cope. Inhale slow, deep breaths through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. Rather than breathing into your chest cavity, imagine that you are breathing into your stomach. Place your hands on your stomach and feel it rise and fall. This will decrease your heart rate, slow your breathing, and make you more present in your body. Take a moment to observe the situation without the influence of your emotions. What is happening? What could have caused this situation? How is someone feeling? What did someone say or do? Finding the answers to these questions can help you identify what steps to take to resolve the situation. Focus your mind on something specific, like the feel of your shirt or the scent of something in the area. This can help to keep you grounded in the moment. See this Mindfulness Guide from the New York Times for more mindfulness ideas. Managing Daily Stress Managing stress looks different for everyone, so find a method that works for you. Start off by identifying what causes you stress on a daily basis and brainstorm ways to either eliminate or reduce that stress. If you have many tasks or activities to keep track of, create a daily, weekly, and/or monthly calendar to list your upcoming engagements. Make this calendar easily accessible in your home or consider using a phone calendar. Add notes around your house that remind you to take a deep breath, drink some water, and relax your body. Those little reminders can help you get into the practice of using these strategies on a regular basis. Know your limits and set boundaries. If you are feeling overwhelmed, let the people around you know and say no to things that you cannot take on at that moment. Ask for Support When You Need It Ask if a friend, family member, or loved one would be able to take over caregiving responsibilities for a period of time, even if it is only for 10 minutes. Having some time alone can help you process your emotions and give you time to refresh your mind. If no one is available at home, consider using a crisis child care center such as Jeremiah’s Place for temporary respite care. Reach out to a loved one, family member, or trusted person to let them know what you are struggling with. Never feel as if you have to suffer alone. When you feel uncomfortable sharing with a loved one, reach out to the Family Resources of Pennsylvania Parenting Warmline at 412.641.4546. Join a support group such as Fathers Trying Together, Single Mom Defined, or Women’s Rap. Reach out to your local Family Support Center to access a range of services, including parent support groups, parenting skills programs, family activities, and more. If you live in Pennsylvania and need help accessing mental health services, call 2.1.1 or text your zip code to 898.211 to talk with a resource specialist for free. For individuals outside of Pennsylvania, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1.800.662.4357. Prioritize Self-Care Take time to identify what makes you feel better in difficult situations. Do you like taking a warm bath? Drinking a cup of hot tea? Taking a short walk? Identify the things that help you recharge and schedule time for them into your daily schedule. If you need a place to start, check out these Self-Care Planning Resources from the University of Buffalo School of Social Work. Create joyful moments by trying something new. You can try a new food combination, a new scented candle, hairstyle, or activity. The best part about this is that you can include your child in these things as well. Take time to be playful and creative together. Take Time to Celebrate When surrounded by stress, it can be easy to focus on the bad. Escape this cycle by taking time to celebrate your personal or parenting wins, or identify what you are thankful for that day. Whether it is a funny joke that you told earlier in the day or simply getting a meal on the table, celebrate those wins. Resources Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series Developmentally Appropriate Parenting is a family resource content series developed by Trying Together as an effort to empower caregivers to create high-quality experiences at the earliest stages of their child’s life. Family Resources of Pennsylvania Parenting Warmline The Family Resources of Pennsylvania Parenting Warmline is a free, confidential hotline for parents and caregivers with non-medical parenting concerns and questions. If you live in Allegheny County, call 1.877.927.6596. If you live outside of Allegheny County, call 1.800.641.4546. PA 2.1.1 Southwest PA 2.1.1 Southwest provides access to an extensive list of resources for families in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Specialists provide referrals to human needs resources, physical and mental health resources, child care programs, and more. For more information, call 2.1.1 or visit their website. SAMHSA National Helpline SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential information service (available in English and Spanish) for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Jeremiah’s Place Jeremiah’s Place is Pittsburgh’s only crisis child care center that provides a safe haven of respite, health, renewal, and support for children and families during times of crisis. Services are provided for free and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hello Baby Hello Baby supports parents with newborn children in Allegheny County by making it quick and easy to find local resources. Print This Resource Download this resource as a printable PDF document (English)(Español).
April 16, 2021 Fatherhood Support Programs in Allegheny County About Are you a father in need of support? Support services are available in Allegheny County to help. Most centers are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call a center near you for more information about their daytime and evening hours. Fatherhood Programs The Allegheny County Department of Human Services offers programs to support fathers, including Fatherhood Programming at Family Support Centers. While all Family Support Centers provide programs for all parents, the following centers have programs for fathers: Hilltop Family Care Connection 1630 Arlington Avenue, Mount Oliver, PA 15210 | 412.432.1635 Lawrenceville Family Care Connection 5235 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 | 412.784.8683 Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center 7219 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 | 412.545.5039 Sto-Rox Family Center 710 Thompson Avenue, McKees Rocks, PA 15136 | 412.771.7166 SHIM South Hills Family Center 41 Macek Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15227 | 412.892.4673 Braddock Family Care Connection 849 Braddock Avenue, Braddock, PA 15104 | 412.273.4610 Rankin Family Care Connection 230 Third Street, Rankin, PA 15104 | 412.271.3408 Turtle Creek Family Care Connection 208 Penn Plaza Shopping Center, Turtle Creek, PA 15145 | 412.823.2060 East Allegheny Family Center 200 Westinghouse Avenue, Wilmerding, PA 15148 | 412.829.6171 Highlands Family Center 415 East Fourth Avenue, Tarentum, PA 15084 | 724.224.9006 Lincoln Park Family Center 7300 Ridgeview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 | 412.661.1057 Hill District Center for Nurturing Families 1835 Centre Avenue, Suite 230, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 | 412.363.1702 x1423 Providence Family Support Center 3113 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 | 412.766.3860 East Liberty Family Support Center 6435 Frankstown Avenue, Suite 201, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 | 412.661.8751 Sign Up To sign up for a program, call the Family Support Center nearest to you. Center contact information can be found on the Family Centers of Allegheny County website or by viewing this flyer. (PNG). Resources For more information about additional fatherhood programs, check out the following resources: Fathers Trying Together, Trying Together Responsible Fatherhood Program, Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 Fathers Involved Now, Allegheny Family Network Male Initiative Program, Healthy Start Fatherhood Collaborative Brochure Fatherhood FIRE Program, Goodwill Southwestern Pennsylvania
February 3, 2021 Family Infant Oral Health Televisit, University of Pittsburgh Are you interested in keeping your child cavity-free during the pandemic? Schedule a free Virtual Oral Health Visit for tips on toothbrushing for young children and getting your child dental care. About This research study involves meeting one-on-one with mom and Pediatric Dentist, Jr. Jacqueline Burgette, D.M.D., Ph.D., for a televisit on Zoom to receive information on Infant Oral Health, a brief Oral Health Consultation, and support coordinating care for dental needs. This opportunity has been provided by the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and the Pitt Homewood Community Engagement Center (CEC). Share this flyer with your family and friends. Schedule A Visit For more information and to schedule a televisit, email at jacqueline@pitt.edu.
December 23, 2020 Housing Resources for Families in Allegheny County Housing and Eviction Resources If your family is at risk for eviction or homelessness, resources and programs are available to help. Housing Stabilization Program The Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Housing Stabilization Program provides one-time or short term (up to three months) financial assistance to households who are facing a temporary, non-reoccurring housing crisis. Depending on which type of support is needed, you may be able to receive funding to cover move-in fees, utilities, rent, mortgage payments, and legal fees. Eligibility To qualify, individuals must: be a renter or homeowner, live in the City of Pittsburgh, be at or below 50 percent of the Average Monthly Income if a renter, be at or below 80 percent of the Average Monthly Income if a homeowner, and develop a stability plan with a service provider. Apply For This Program If you are eligible, contact Untiled Way by dialing 211 or texting your zip code to 898.211. Interested applicants may also contact United Way via chatroom (located at the bottom right of the webpage) or the online contact form. Housing Legal Assistance Program The Housing Legal Assistance Program assists individuals through the following services: Tangled-Title: Legal assistance of up to $5,000 if you own a home but need the deed transferred to your name. Eviction Prevention: Legal assistance of up to $3,000 if you are at risk of eviction or are currently experiencing eviction and need legal assistance. Eligibility To qualify for Tangled-Title assistance, individuals must live in the City of Pittsburgh, have an income that is at or below 80 percent of the Average Monthly Income, and not have any outstanding City, School, and County real estate taxes (or must be on a payment plan for at least three months. To qualify for Eviction Prevention assistance, individuals must live in the City of Pittsburgh, have an income that is at or below 50 percent of the Average Monthly Income, and be experiencing wrongful threats of lock-out, eviction, or sub-standard living conditions. Apply For This Program To apply for Tangled-Title assistance, contact United Way by texting your zip code to 898-211 or by dialing 211. To apply for Eviction Prevention, call 412.255.6574 or email hof@ura.org. For more information, contact Victoria Jackson at 412.255.6696 or hof@ura.org. Just Mediation Pittsburgh Just Mediation Pittsburgh offers free, confidential mediation services to landlords and tenants who are looking to find solutions to housing disputes. Just Mediation Pittsburgh mediators facilitate a dialogue between both parties to identify positive solutions and create a shared, legally binding agreement. Request Services Participation in these services is voluntary. Both parties must be willing to share their perspectives, listen to the other individual’s perspective, and create constructive solutions. To request services, visit the Just Mediation Pittsburgh page. For more information, contact 412.228.0730 or info@justmediationpgh.org. Allegheny Link If you are experiencing a housing crisis, the Allegheny Link can help connect you to resources. The Allegheny Link will assess your eligibility for homeless supports such as rental assistance, utility assistance, and homeless services. Range Of Services The Allegheny Link assists Allegheny County residents: who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in finding stable housing, who are pregnant, or parents and caregivers of children up to age six years of age, get referrals to home visiting programs, who are over the age of 60 live safely in their community, and with any disability find services that meet their needs. Contact If you are in need of services, contact the Allegheny Link at 1.866.730.2368. This line will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Callers between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. will be directed to appropriate supports by an automated message. Individuals can also contact the Allegheny Link via email. This method is especially suggested for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Rental Payment Assistance The Department of Public Assistance has an Emergency Shelter Fund that provides financial assistance to help individuals prevent eviction or foreclosure, obtain permanent housing, or obtain temporary shelter. Individuals must be receiving public assistance benefits to qualify. For more information, contact 412.565.2146. Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh Do you feel you have been the victim of housing discrimination? Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh investigates allegations of housing discrimination. If you have been a victim of housing discrimination, all of their services are free of charge. Report Discrimination To file an anonymous complaint, or to speak with a member of their staff, call 412.391.2535. Individuals can also report discrimination by completing this online form. Shelter Directory Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program has a Shelter Directory on its website that contains a filterable list of emergency shelters and housing providers. Shelters and providers included on the list accept homeless families and/or homeless youth. Some shelters and providers may admit single adults. Access the Directory. More Information Visit the Allegheny County website to learn more about housing subsidies, mortgage assistance, homelessness, discrimination support services, and more. If you are experiencing homelessness, visit the Homeless Services page.
