Family Centers Across Counties
Family Centers in Cameron and McKean County were established in Emporium and Bradford, in 1994. Soon after, Eldred, Kane, Port Allegany, and Smethport Family Centers were opened. These locations served as easy access for early childhood and family education and prevention program services. Family Centers continue to partner with other community providers to promote the goal of all children engaging in an early learning experience to enrich child development from birth to age five. The motto of Family Centers is, “Dedicated to Building Strong Families and Strong Communities.”
Since 2011, the federal Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting initiative has supported Parents as Teachers (PAT) programs operating from Family Center sites and has altered the landscape of Family Centers to focus primarily on Home Visiting services. Current Family Center locations are in Bradford, Kane, Smethport, and Emporium with staff located at these sites who travel to provide PAT Home Visits for families throughout McKean, Potter, and Cameron County.
Community events supported by Family Center staff include:
Dad’s Night Out
Bingo for Books
Kid’s Fest
Family Group Connections & Play Groups
Holiday Celebration & Early Childhood Learning Activities
At 24 West Washington Street in Bradford, The Guidance Center houses the Family Center, the STEPS Drop-in Center, and a Training Center. A variety of Education, Prevention, and Wellness program services are co-located with Family Center and Parents as Teachers staff at this site. Cameron County Parents as Teachers staff host family group events and provide home visits from the Family Center located at the Woodland Elementary School.
At Family Center sites (Kane, Smethport, and Bradford) group and individual family Prevention program services, Health and Wellness options, Education, and Professional Development opportunities are available by contacting the Family Center at The Guidance Center’s 24 West Washington Street, Bradford location, or the Cameron County Family Center for Parents as Teachers Home Visits and special events.