For March 2026, the unofficial theme within the Center for Schools and Communities (CSC) Family Support Team is collaboration. This month’s feature article and March webinar both reflect that focus, exploring the outcomes that are possible when child welfare and family support programs work in partnership and in service of child maltreatment prevention and family well-being.
As we approach April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, these reflections on collaboration are energizing our team for action. We have several activities planned and would love to hear what your organization is doing to support prevention efforts across Pennsylvania. If you are willing to share, we may feature your work in a future NewsBrief.
Let’s move this work forward together.
Be well,
The Family Support Team at Center for Schools and Communities
Child Protection Services and Family Support Programs: Stronger Together
Partnerships between child welfare agencies and family support programs play a critical role in preventing child abuse and neglect by connecting families to services before crises escalate. Rather than waiting until a report is made and an investigation begins, these collaborations help strengthen families earlier through voluntary, community-based supports such as home visits, parent education, concrete resource connection, and peer-to-peer opportunities for support and networking.
The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), passed in 2018, created new opportunities for states to invest in prevention-oriented services that reduce the likelihood of children entering foster care. FFPSA encourages child welfare systems to focus on evidence-based prevention services, strengthen kinship caregiver support, and improve coordination with community providers. As states implement Family First, partnerships with family support programs are increasingly important for ensuring families can access timely, effective services in their own communities.
Effective partnerships often include formal agreements that clarify roles, referral pathways, communication practices, and shared goals. When child welfare and family support providers work together, families benefit from coordinated support that is more responsive, culturally relevant, and strengths-based. These collaborations also support improved data collection and evaluation efforts, helping programs demonstrate outcomes, identify gaps, and continuously improve services.
Ultimately, collaboration between child welfare and family support programs helps parents build protective factors, strengthen parenting skills, and increase access to community resources. When families receive the right supports at the right time, the result is stronger family stability, reduced maltreatment risk, and improved outcomes for children.
As you prepare to commemorate Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in April, check out the Primary Prevention Toolkit from Prevent Child Abuse America. This resource provides key messages related to primary prevention as well as newsletter templates, social media posts, and outreach materials. Investing in upstream support creates communities where families and children thrive. How will you use these materials to spread that message?
Parents as Teachers Place
Growing Together: The Power of the Parent-child Interaction
Social interaction between parent and child is the cornerstone for all learning development. This takes place before the child enters kindergarten as they learn through everyday interactions. These interactions can occur through smiling, reading a story, and playtime with their parents or guardians.
Such supportive relationships help children feel valued and safe, fostering the desire to explore the world around them. Children develop confidence when they can rely on their parents. Developing this confidence helps the child to try new things, regulate emotions, and build social and communication skills.
Through Parents as Teachers, home visits are personalized and parent educators partner with families to encourage positive interactions as part of their daily routines. Some of these routines can include mealtime conversations, reading together, playtime, and interactive games like peek-a-boo.
Every family’s journey is special, and there is no specific approach to parenting. Parents as Teachers is a strengths- based approach and respects each parent’s knowledge, culture, and goals. By building a nurturing parent-child relationship, families are establishing a foundation for lifelong learning, developmental milestone achievement, and strong connections that grow over time.
Parent Handouts from The Foundational Curriculum That Foster Parent-child Interactions
Prenatal - Age 3
Making Music with Your Baby - pg. 604
Interacting With Your Child - pg. 674
Reasons to Read to Your Baby - pg. 682
Ages 3 - Kindergarten
Communicating with Your Child - pg. 539
Interacting with Your Growing, Changing Child - pg. 570
Reading Together - pg. 579
Parents as Teachers Core Courses
Look for new courses in April's NewsBrief!
Family Support Webinars
Family Support Webinar - Topic TBA
April 15 | 10:00 AM
Safe Kids Corner
Medication Safety Tips
1. Keep Medicine Up and Away
Store all medicines and vitamins out of children’s reach and sight—ideally at or above counter height. Kids are naturally curious and can quickly get into medicine left on counters, in purses, or on nightstands.
2. Follow Label Directions Carefully
Always read the medicine label, check active ingredients, and follow dosing instructions exactly. Use only the dosing device that comes with the medicine — kitchen spoons are not accurate.
3. Safely Dispose of Unused or Expired Medicine
Clean out unused or expired medicines regularly. Use community take-back programs when available, or follow safe disposal guidelines to reduce the risk of accidental poisoning.
