Our 8 Core Services

Families make connections, share common experiences, and learn from professional PCC staff how to navigate the challenges of parenting. Group and individualized programs are offered that address a range of life circumstances and developmental stages. Parents who have ongoing support are buffered from stressors and better able to provide responsive emotional and physical care.

Early Childhood is a critical developmental period; no parent knows everything, and each child is unique. PCCs provide parents with opportunities to learn practical and empowering information to help in coping with transitions, behaviors, and challenges of parenting, including supporting each child’s individual needs. Knowledge is shared in groups and one-to-one by knowledgeable staff and experts in the field.

By providing families with material and financial support to address immediate needs, such as food, transportation, utility and rent assistance, PCCs can mitigate hardships and help parents navigate short-term challenges. Reducing financial stress is an effective strategy to support safe parenting and reduce child welfare system involvement. PCCs also work with their local communities to leverage donations of food and essential items for families in need.

Trained PCC family support staff provide visits based on family goals and individual needs. Using evidence-based models and research informed strategies, prenatal and early childhood home visiting is effective in supporting responsive and safe parenting and improving developmental outcomes. Research over many years and different models of home visiting shows strong evidence of effectiveness in preventing child maltreatment, improving child and maternal health, and increasing family economic self-sufficiency.

New parents are at high risk for social isolation. Playgroups provide a social connection for parents and an opportunity for young children to develop social skills. A range of activities are offered to accommodate different interests and developmental stages. Playgroups take place onsite as well as in libraries and other community settings to spread the PCC’s geographic reach.

Navigating the complex landscape of children’s services, public benefits, health services and resources can be overwhelming. Using a no wrong door approach, PCCs serve as a gateway to local and statewide resources. Informed PCC staff take the extra steps needed to ensure parents receive the services they need including application assistance, advocacy, and follow-up.  New parents are introduced to their local PCC through Welcome Baby outreach.

Developmentally appropriate, inclusive childcare offered at PCCs or through close partnerships, provides quality childcare for parents from all economic circumstances. Parents can work or pursue education while children have peer interaction and social development in a safe and nurturing place. PCC early childhood programs are prepared to serve families who face challenges such as economic instability, and children who need specialized care due to a disability or developmental delay.

PCCs develop local partnerships to lift the voices of families and ensure that services are family centered. PCCs are represented on regional Building Bright Futures Councils, local and state advisory councils and coalitions of cross-sector service providers—early childhood education, mental health, homelessness and housing and the business sector—all working to support families. PCCs participate in community events and fairs to share information and reach out to new participants.