Children - Birth to Six Years of Age

ActionAlert Safe Sleep
Infants and children one year of age and younger are particularly vulnerable to injury and death when safe sleep practices are not followed. DHS issued the  ActionAlert - Safe Sleep Education and the  Safe Sleep Leave-behind Flyer to inform staff and caregivers about these dangers and how to reduce them.

Early Intervention Programs 
Provides supports and services to infants/toddlers and young children up to three years of age who have a developmental delay or are at risk for developmental delay.

Education

Early Childhood Education Programs
Consists of Head Start, Early Head Start, and Pre-K Counts. Provides children, up to five years of age who qualify, with a comprehensive, flexible program designed to reinforce and respond to the unique strengths and needs of each individual child and family.

 Early Head Start and Head Start participants now need to undergo lead poisoning screenings. Read more

Educational Supports for Homeless Children
Thanks to the  Homeless Children's Education Fund, the educational interests of children and youth who are members of homeless families are supported with tutoring, advocacy and well-equipped learning centers. 

  Educating Homeless Children in Allegheny County: An Evaluation of Families, Agencies, and Services  

First Steps In-Home Visitation
A home-visitation program for pregnant women and families with children up to five years of age. Services include child development screenings, parenting education, home visits, nutrition counseling, and preventive health care.

Kindergarten Registration
Any child that will turn five before September 1 is eligible and encouraged to be registered for kindergarten. Find out more details on how to register.

Related Resources

DHS: Making an Impact -  Allegheny County / Pittsburgh Early Childhood Education Programs (ECEP) - Discover how ECEP provides children with the 'head-start' they need. 

 Early Intervention for Birth to School Aged Children with Disabilities (See Fact Sheets section) 

Pennsylvania’s Safe Haven Law
ALL hospitals in Pennsylvania are Safe Havens. If a parent cannot properly take care of his or her newborn (up to 28 days old), they are permitted to take the infant to any hospital and leave him or her there, in the care of hospital staff. Parents will not have to talk to anyone. They will not get into any trouble as long as the baby is unharmed and not a victim of any crime. No one will ask any questions or make judgments. When a baby is left at the hospital s/he is in safe hands. A doctor will examine the baby and provide any medical care. Then the local child welfare system will take custody of the baby and find him/her a loving family. For more information visit the  Safe Haven website or call 1-866-921-SAFE (7233).

 Ready Freddy Pathways to Kindergarten Success  

 The Right to Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers and Their Families in Pennsylvania 

Safe Start 
Improves outcomes for children who witness violence either in their homes or communities. Safe Start provides trainings to professionals and families about how to recognize the effect witnessing violence has on young children and how to assist them in processing their responses. 

Text4baby
Text4baby sends pregnant women and new mothers helpful mom and baby health information for FREE to their phones as a text message.  

 University of Pittsburgh, Office of Child Development

Related Printed Materials

 A Parent's Handbook 
This handbook is provided to every family as they enter the child welfare system.  It details the rights and responsibilities of the parents, court and child welfare system. It also provides an overview of what can be expected when involved with CYF. (Disponible en español, por debajo de) 

Home Alone –  Is your child ready? 
Helps parents think about all the factors that are important when deciding if a child is ready to be left home alone. (Disponible en español, por debajo)

 Manual para Padres
Este manual se proporciona a cada familia cuando entran en el sistema de bienestar infantil. Este manual se proporciona a cada familia cuando entran en el sistema de bienestar infantil. En él se detallan los derechos y responsabilidades de los padres, los tribunales y sistema de bienestar infantil. También proporciona una visión general de lo que se puede esperar cuando se involucren con CYF.

Solo en casa – ¿Estu listo tu hijo?
Ayuda a los padres pensar en todos los factores que son importantes al decidir si un niño está listo para ser dejado solo en casa.