Agency Type: Public (non-profit)
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Agency Description:
Provides comprehensive early education and care to children and families of Blair County through a variety of programs such as Head Start, Parent Child Home Program, Best Care Child Care, and Teen Link Connection.

Programs:

Blair County Head Start

Blair County Head Start is the largest and most widely recognized of CABC’s programs. Both federally and state funded, the program serves children and families in fifteen centers located throughout the county. BCHS provides comprehensive preschool and child development services for income eligible children ages three to five years, home visits, and parent involvement opportunities for families while partnering with other local agencies in the community to provide services for children with special needs.

Eligibility: Must be a resident of Blair County, meet federal guidelines and the child must be 3 years old by September 1. Parents may call the recruitment voicemail line at (814) 946-5247, ext. 225 and a staff member will return the call and discuss eligibility guidelines.

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts
Mary Lee O’Harrow – Pre-K Counts Coordinator

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is a state funded, high-quality pre-kindergarten program that prepares children for Kindergarten and a successful school experience. Classrooms are staffed with a certified teacher and a teacher assistant, both whom have the education and expertise to teach young children. Curriculum is used that help children grow academically and socially. Meals and snacks are provided.

PA Pre-K Counts is free of charge for families, however, the program is designed for families of children who:
• are between the age of 3 until they enter Kindergarten;
• have a family income that is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level;
• may have special needs, language or cultural barriers

Child Advocates of Blair County is one of three grantees in Blair County for the PA Pre-K Counts program.

Child Care Information Services
3001 Fairway Drive, Suite D
Altoona, PA  16602
(814) 949-9110
Michelle Zitsch – CCIS Director

Child Care Information Services (CCIS) of Blair County specializes in Child Care resource and referral services and administers the State subsidized Child Day Care Services. The program is made possible by the Department of Public Welfare and the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).

Child Care resource and referral services offered through CCIS include:
• Information on various child care options
• Regulated care including Child Care Centers and Group & Family Child
Care Homes
• Relative/Neighbor Providers
• Information on how to look for a quality child care program
• List of licensed and registered providers in Blair County
• Computer search of providers closest to home or work who offer needed services
• Resources for parents and providers on children’s issues
• Application forms and information concerning the State Subsidized Child Day
Care program (SSCDC)

Parent Child Home Program
200 E. Crawford Avenue
Altoona, PA  16602
(814) 940-6985
Mary Lee O’Harrow – PCHP Coordinator

A research based intensive home visiting program which promotes language, literacy and school success through reading, playing and verbal interaction between parents and children. Trained home visitors visit families twice a week, 23 weeks per year, for two years. In play sessions with the parent and child, the home visitor stresses language and learning through play. The books and toys used in the visits are given to the families and play sessions are also offered in the PCHP classroom.

Eligibility: Must be a Blair County resident, and the child must be between 16 months and 3 years of age. Enrollment preference is given to families with limited income and educational levels.

Teen Link Connection
(814) 941-8336
Kathy Gregg – Teen Link Coordinator

The Teen Link Connection is a project for pregnant and parenting teens designed to help teens receive appropriate health care, human services, and educational support through a variety of programs that coordinate services of various agencies and schools in Blair County. A coordinator is available to help find appropriate resources, solve problems and establish parenting classes. A Teen Help Booklet is available listing available local resources.

Eligibility: 12 years to 19 years old and pregnant or parenting.

Nurturing and Networking Programs

The Nurturing Program is a parenting class that meets on a weekly basis for 13-15 sessions. The program uses a nationally known curriculum by Stephen Bavoleck and offers classes for both parents and their children. A family meal is provided. Parents have the opportunity to interact with one another, learn effective parenting techniques, and offer support for one another. Classes for children are held separately and coincide with the adult curriculum. The Networking Program uses the same curriculum and offers one-on-one interaction between a facilitator and the parents and/or children within the comfort of their own home. The program meets for 22 sessions in the home for one hour each. Both programs are available by calling Child Advocates of Blair County or through a referral from an outside agency.

Best Care Child Care
(814) 946-5247, ext. 131
Monday – Friday, 6:30am – 6:00pm

Child Advocates of Blair County offers on-site child care services for parents, staff and the community through Best Care Child Care. Best Care Child Care provides a safe “home away from home” setting and age appropriate materials, toys and activities that promote cognitive and social development for infants and toddlers. Care for school age children is available before and after school. Best Care is conveniently located adjacent to Logan Elementary School and children are escorted by staff to and from the school. Best Care staff provides homework support and keep school agers motivated while allowing them to be themselves. Multiple outdoor facilities are available to keep children active and healthy. Nutritious meals and snacks are provided through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The center incorporates the Creative Curriculum, a nationally known curriculum for infants, toddlers and school age children, and provides individualized instruction to meet children’s unique developmental needs.