County Executive Innamorato Announces “Forward with Families”
Published on April 29, 2026
PITTSBURGH – Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato today announced Forward with Families, a new, coordinated initiative to strengthen stability, opportunity, and quality of life for working families across Allegheny County. As part of the initiative, Allegheny County will expand access to childcare and out-of-school time (OST) programs, with a goal of creating 5,000 new slots over the next five years.
Led by the Allegheny County Department of Children Initiatives, the expansion of childcare and OST slots will focus on increasing capacity, supporting providers, and addressing gaps in care, particularly for infants and toddlers, evenings and weekends, and before- and after-school programming.
The Forward with Families announcement, made at the Northern Area Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania alongside community partners, outlines a multi-pronged approach to addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing families today. The five pillars of Forward with Families are:
- Health and Well-Being
- Childcare, Caregiving, and Learning
- Employment and Education
- Housing and Food
- Savings and Cash
“Too many families in Allegheny County are doing everything right and still struggling to find affordable childcare, stable housing, and the support they need to get ahead,” said County Executive Innamorato. “Forward with Families is about changing that. It is about making real, coordinated investments that meet families where they are and remove barriers to opportunity. When we support working families, we strengthen our workforce, grow our economy, and build better communities.”
Allegheny County is also promoting a refreshed tool, the Forward with Families Program Finder, where Allegheny County residents can input information about their address, children, and what kind of program they’re looking for and find options for child care, out of school time slots, and summer camps, all in one place.
“Forward with Families helps make sure every parent in Allegheny County has a meaningful pathway to stability and opportunity. Investing in childcare, workforce supports, and community-based organizations creates the foundations for families to get ahead,” said CEO of Partner4Work Rob Cherry. “This initiative reflects County Executive Innamorato's commitment to building an economy that works for everyone, where families can thrive and employers can grow with a strong, supported workforce.”
Forward with Families brings together new investments and existing programs into a unified strategy, developed in collaboration with residents, employers, community organizations, and philanthropic partners.
“Expanding access to childcare means more opportunity for families, more stability for employers, and stronger early learning experiences for children during the years that matter most,” said Cara Ciminillo, Executive Director of Trying Together. “Families deserve systems that work for them. Children deserve a strong start. And when we get that right, all of us benefit.”
The initiative reflects Allegheny County’s commitment to building a community where every family has the support they need to succeed.
“An investment in out-of-school time programs and the lives of young people and their families is an investment in a stronger, healthier, and more prosperous Allegheny County for all,” said Christopher Watts, President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. “Thanks to the leadership of County Executive Innamorato, Senator Pisciottano, Pittsburgh’s foundation community, and key partners, the Forward with Families initiative will improve the quality of life for thousands of children and early learners and help them succeed in the classroom, in life, and in their future workplaces.”
Additional components of Forward with Families will be announced in the coming months. To learn more about Forward with Families, visit alleghenycounty.us/forwardwithfamilies.
Media inquiries may be directed to the Communications Office.
For contact information, including email addresses and telephone numbers, visit the office website.