Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Awards Grants to Organizations Targeting the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Public Welfare has awarded $1.5 million in grants to 13 organizations with programs for parents and families focused on the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Administered by the department's Office of Child Development and Early Learning, the Children's Trust Fund grants focus on strengthening families, putting protections in place and building resiliency within parents, caregivers and children in order to prevent child abuse and neglect.

"Child abuse is a tragedy, and unfortunately something we are not immune to in the commonwealth. By funding these programs we can provide our communities with the tools needed to create a better future for Pennsylvania's most valuable resource – our children," said Secretary of Public Welfare Beverly Mackereth.

Selected 2013 grantees will use evidence-based or evidence-informed programs or practices to provide comprehensive support services that will strengthen families and put protections in place to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Since its inception in 1988, Pennsylvania has continued its commitment to keeping children safe by awarding more than $34 million in Children's Trust Fund grants to 275 organizations across the state.

The Pennsylvania Children's Trust Fund is funded through revenue generated from a $10 surcharge on all marriage and divorce applications filed in the state.

For more information, visit www.dpw.state.pa.us or call 1-800-692-7462.

Media contact: Kait Gillis, 717-425-7606

Editor's Note: A list of grant recipients is below. The grants cover the period of Nov. 1, 2013, through Oct. 31, 2016.

1. Cambria County – Beginnings, Inc., $120,000
2. Philadelphia County – Catholic Social Services, $120,000
3. Clearfield County – Children's Aid Society in Clearfield, $120,000
4. Columbia County – Columbia County Family Center, $117,677
5. Allegheny County – Every Child, Inc., $111,771
6. Bucks County – Family Services Association of Bucks County, $120,000
7. Allegheny County – Family Services of Western Pennsylvania, $120,000
8. Fulton County – Fulton County Partnership, Inc., $120,000
9. Philadelphia County – Institute for Safe Families, Inc., $120,000
10. Carbon County – Jim Thorpe Area School District, $120,000
11. Erie County – Union City Family Support Center, $120,000
12. Allegheny County – Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, $120,000
13. York County – Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of York, $71,639

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare