FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICESInfant Parent Empowerment Program

Intensive support for families with infants

For families who are either expecting a child or have an infant under the age of 3, and are experiencing challenges that threaten their ability to remain intact, our Infant Parent Empowerment Program provides our most intensive family preservation services and reunification services. Our highest priority is always on the safety and health of the infant. Throughout the six-month, intensive program, our dedicated team never loses focus on this priority.

An evidence-based approach to better outcomes

Our Infant Parent Empowerment Program is a six-month, specialized service that provides intensive, evidence-based training and supports for families with or expecting an infant, with the goal of ensuring that each child can safely remain with the birth family when possible. Whether to preserve families at imminent risk of having a child removed from the home, or to reunify families after a child has been removed, this program works to: 
  • Develop a Plan of Safe Care for substance-affected infants and caregivers
  • Decrease the need for foster care placement
  • Reduce the recidivism rate into the child welfare system 
  • Identify postpartum depression symptoms earlier and link families to treatment

The dedication and expertise to make a difference

Our skilled and resourceful team have deep experience in developing and implementing individualized plans to correct the areas that challenge each family’s ability to remain intact. Our multi-disciplinary team is made up of bachelor’s level specialists, including:
  • Four Infant Parent Empowerment Specialists 
  • Infant Parent Empowerment Supervisor 
  • Other internal/external parties specific to case reviews

Aligning communities through collaboration

The Infant Parent Empowerment Program creates an alliance between the social, medical, and judicial systems of the community through collaboration and education. Our program accepts families only through referral by state and state-appointed agencies, including Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland, Beaver, and Butler Counties, as well as drug courts and hospitals.

Far-reaching expertise in family services

We take a practical, strength-based approach to helping families develop skills to raise children in a safe and nurturing environment. We focus on enhancing mental and emotional wellness by teaching empowerment and utilization of community and natural supports. Our program’s curriculum includes:
  • In-person parenting sessions (individualized and group) 
  • Bi-weekly internal case reviews including Infant Parent Empowerment team with optional Care Coordinator participation (up to 4 hours per month)
  • Monthly review of parenting curriculums and external fidelity monitoring
  • Substance use is addressed using research-based curriculums, including Incredible Years Parenting Curriculum and Seeking Safety Curriculum
Our experience shows that the best long-term outcomes come when families have access to resources and support mechanisms within their own communities. We connect families with formal and informal community-based services that can provide ongoing support with:
  • Childhood development
  • Discipline
  • Nutrition
  • Understanding each child’s unique needs
  • Counseling services 
  • Drug and alcohol addiction services
  • Housing services
  • Access to supplies and equipment when necessary
We are committed to serving families with comprehensive prevention services throughout our region and have locations in four counties to better serve communities.

Allegheny County Offices
1405 Shady Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412.244.3066
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Beaver County Office
258 East End Avenue
Beaver, PA 15009
724.775.0209
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Washington County Office 
382 W. Chestnut Street, Suite 103
Washington, PA 15301
724.579.1058
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Westmoreland County Office 
121 North Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
724.689.0487
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Call Us: 412.420.2400

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