Opening Date for Satellite Offices Announced
Beginning on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) will launch six Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 satellite offices in Allegheny County.
“We are excited to offer Allegheny County families with young children greater access to services that support high-quality, affordable early learning opportunities,” said Wendy Etheridge Smith, Ph.D., ELRC Region 5 Director. “With our new satellite offices opening this fall, families across the region will receive the information and services ELRC Region 5 provides at convenient locations they may already regularly visit.”
Details
Starting September 3, ELRC Region 5 satellite offices will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (walk-ins accepted until 4:30 p.m.) and located at:
Focus on Renewal (FOR) Learning Center
500 Chartiers Avenue
McKees Rocks, PA 15136Hosanna House
807 Wallace Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15221Human Services Center
519 Penn Avenue
Turtle Creek, PA 15145Kingsley Association
6435 Frankstown Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206Providence Family Support Center
3113 Brighton Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15212South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM)
41 Macek Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
Community members may call or visit any one of these sites to receive information or initiate services. Staff will help their families understand and navigate the early care and education system, including supporting them through the process to apply for and enroll to receive a child care subsidy, while simultaneously assessing for and connecting them with other supports and services that meet their needs. Similarly, child care providers can get connected with supports and resources to strengthen their services as well as to complete the steps to participate in the subsidy system.
About ELRC Region 5
ELRC Region 5 opened in Allegheny County on July 1, 2019 and provides a single point-of-contact for families, early learning service providers, and communities for information on and access to early learning services.. Its main office in downtown Pittsburgh is located at 304 Wood Street, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 and office hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (walk-ins accepted until 4:30 p.m.) and Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (by appointment only from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.). For more information visit elrc5.alleghenycounty.us or call 1.888.340.3572 or 412.350.3577 during regular business hours.
ACDHS partners with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to support Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 in partnership with The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers and Trying Together.
About ELRCs in Pennsylvania
ELRCs were created in 2018 to improve early learning services and help families identify the best child care options that meet the needs of the child(ren), and offer connections to more services, such as a child care subsidy. The ELRCs were developed as a result of stakeholder feedback and to consolidate the current work of Child Care Information Service Agencies and the Regional Keys to create an enhanced resource and referral system for communities seeking early learning services and supports.
Through the ELRC, child care professionals can obtain support in building quality outcomes for children by working with quality coaches to achieve Keystone STAR 3 and 4 status, building connections with community partners, and supporting children and families in accessing additional services, such as PA Pre-K Counts, Head Start, home visiting, and early intervention.
Find more information about ELRCs on raiseyourstar.org.
About Allegheny County Department of Human Services
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) is responsible for providing and administering publicly-funded human services to County residents. DHS provides a wide range of services, including services for older adults; mental health services (includes 24-hour crisis counseling); drug and alcohol services; child protective services; at-risk child development and education; emergency shelters and housing for the homeless; non-emergency medical transportation; and referrals for support coordination for individuals with a diagnosis of intellectual disability.
About The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers
The Alliance For Infants and Toddlers was established in 1988 by a Federal grant to assist families of low birth weight infants. In 1992, The Alliance was chosen by Allegheny County as the Early Intervention Service Coordination Agency for families of children, ages birth to three years, who have developmental concerns.
About Trying Together
Trying Together supports high-quality care and education for young children by providing advocacy, community resources, and professional growth opportunities for the needs and rights of children, their families, and the individuals who interact with them. Trying Together works regionally (in Southwestern Pennsylvania) and takes its expertise and models to statewide and national audiences.