Family Service Association of Bucks County has earned a prestigious endorsement from the Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc. as a Blue Ribbon Affiliate, making it one of the top-performing home visiting affiliates within the PATNC’s international network. The official designation was made on Oct. 1.
Being named a Blue Ribbon Affiliate affirms that Family Service Association is a high-quality member of the home visiting field, implementing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model with fidelity. In the last year, Family Service’s Parents as Teachers program performed over 800 home visits and delivered services to over 120 children in Bucks County who were positively impacted.
The program includes home visits, group connections, child screening and connections to community resources. It equips parents with knowledge and resources to prepare their children for a strong start in life and greater success in school.
“To earn the Blue Ribbon Affiliate status, we underwent a rigorous self-study and review process from the National Center. The process confirms that we are meeting Parents as Teachers’ standards of fidelity and quality,” said Kathleen Megahan, the Family Strengthening Programs Coordinator at Family Service. “Blue Ribbon Affiliates are exemplary programs, delivering highest quality services to children and families.
“Our program focuses on giving children the best start in life. We promote positive parenting, enhance child health and development, prevent child abuse and prepare children for kindergarten. These are important issues in our community. To be endorsed by Parents as Teachers in this way demonstrates our accountability and credibility to the community, our sponsors, elected officials and partner organizations.”
“I am so proud of the hard work the staff put into obtaining this national recognition,” said Julie Dees, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Family Service Association. “It highlights the exceptional work they do day in and day out to ensure parents are equipped to be the very best parents they can be and in turn, families are stronger. Seeing how this dedicated team of professionals approach their work shows our mission in action: To listen, care and help. Every day.”
Family Service’s Family Strengthening program provides families with early childhood services, parenting strategies and reunification assistance. All services are free of charge to residents of Bucks County who are pregnant or caring for a child age six or under. Services are provided in the home or in a community location.
Visit fsabc.org/ for more information.
