Pennsylvania Counties Receive Grants to Improve Services for Children

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Children and families
across Pennsylvania will have better access to comprehensive services to
protect their health and well-being through nearly $2.9 million in grants that
were announced today by the Department of Public Welfare.

To better integrate services for children and families, the department began
developing the nation's first Integrated Children's Services Planning
initiative, ICSP, in 2004. Through this initiative, children in need of
multiple services can receive comprehensive individualized services for all
their treatment needs regardless of what service they first utilize.

"We are now beginning our fifth year of integrating children's services and
remain committed to ensuring that children have the opportunity for a safe and
healthy beginning," said Secretary Estelle B. Richman. "Through these grants,
counties will be better equipped to help children and their families in need
gain access to the quality childhood experiences necessary for them to develop
into productive adults."

Awarded through the ICSP planning process, these grants will help counties
continue improving services for children, including the prevention of child
abuse and neglect; permanency planning; early intervention; mental
retardation, child care, and behavioral health.

The grants were awarded following a review process that involved more than 75
individuals representing counties, providers, family members and staff members
from the state departments of Public Welfare, Health, and Education, as well
as the Juvenile Court Judges Commission.

Using the grant funds, counties will invest in creating the infrastructure to
support comprehensive "no wrong door" services for children, including
developing common screening and assessments processes, integrated case
management, integrated prevention planning, and/or streamlining intake
procedures across children serving systems.

To date, counties receiving grants include:
-- Allegheny $250,000
-- Berks $35,800
-- Blair $50,000
-- Butler $58,475
-- Cameron $45,442
-- Chester $90,395
-- Clarion $42,376
-- Crawford $135,000
-- Elk $24,500
-- Erie $38,900
-- Greene $114,500
-- Lycoming $80,000
-- Northumberland $116,845
-- Tioga $79,300
-- Washington $76,600
-- Wayne $72,300
-- Westmoreland $59,255

The Department of Public Welfare helps people meet their basic needs by
providing health care and other critical support services for children, the
elderly, people with chronic diseases, persons with disabilities and low
income families and adults in Pennsylvania. DPW is dedicated to promoting,
improving, and sustaining the quality of family life; breaking the cycle of
dependency while protecting and serving Pennsylvania's most vulnerable
citizens. Visit DPW on the Internet at: www.dpw.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:
Stacey Witalec
(717) 787-4592

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare

Stacey Witalec of PA Department of Public Welfare, +1-717-787-4592