Forward with Families

Forward with Families is Allegheny County’s coordinated effort to strengthen the wellbeing, stability, and opportunities of working families across the region.

Allegheny County recognizes that life for working families is becoming progressively challenging, from the rising cost of child care to increasingly out-of-reach housing options. Forward with Families brings together new tools and long-standing programs to provide support to families across Allegheny County. Through a collaborative effort with residents, employers, community partners, and foundations, Forward with Families is ensuring that Allegheny County is a place where every family can thrive. 

Announcements

Expanding Capacities for Child Care and Out-of-School Time Access

Goal: Generate 5,000 new child care and Out-of-School Time slots over the next five years 

The Department of Children Initiatives (DCI) is committed to making it easier for Allegheny County families to find reliable child care and Out‑of‑School Time (OST) programs. Many parents still struggle to secure high‑quality care for infants and toddlers, care during evenings and weekends, and before‑ and after‑school or summer programs for young children. To address these needs, DCI is expanding program capacity, improving data to better understand gaps, and supporting the growth of the Early Care and Education (ECE) and OST workforce. It is also working with municipalities to reduce zoning and occupancy barriers and investing Community Development Block Grant funding into facility improvements. Together, these efforts help maintain, strengthen, and expand child care and OST options across Allegheny County.

Find Open Children Initiatives Solicitations

Forward with Families Program Finder

Goal: Find available spots at Allegheny County early learning, after school, summer camps, and virtual programs 

The Program Finder for Families allows families to find all types of child care services, all in one place. Filters ensure that families can find child care providers that have immediate openings, or search by specific offerings such as before- or after-school programs, virtual opportunities, summer camps, and more. 

Program Finder for Families

Allegheny County Commitments to Working Families

There are a number of programs already in place to promote and support working families across Allegheny County. This list of offered services is continually evolving as additional programs are identified. Sign up for updates and news about the Forward with Families initiative for more information.

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