DCI Receives Grant from ECCF for PAT Program

ELK COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT TO DICKINSON CENTER’S PARENTS AS TEACHERS 

ST. MARYS, Pa—Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI), an affiliate of Journey Health System, recently received the Elk County Society for Special Services Grant from the Elk County Community Foundation to expand their Parents as Teachers (PAT) Program by continuing to offer family support, parent education, community outreach and events in Elk County, Pennsylvania.  The $3,000 funding received will go toward four community events (Super Heroes, Annual Storytime Walk, National Night Out and Light Up Night).

“We are extremely grateful to the Elk County Community Foundation for their support,” said Program Director Cortney Pahel. “Parents as Teachers, along with other programs that we offer at Dickinson’s Children’s Prevention Services, are promoting parent-child interaction opportunities for the community. All of these programs are FREE to any family in Elk County. The ages do vary per program but people can call 814.834.2602 for more information. Since children do not come with instructions, we want to support families in our area.”

Dickinson’s Children’s Prevention Services promote a holistic proactive approach to decrease community risk factors through a commitment to provide the following outcome-based services: The Life/Incredible Years Program, the Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program, the Triple P Program, Parents as Teachers and the Student Assistance Program. The programs are held in a relaxed environment for children and families at the Children’s Center located in the C.E.C. Building at 4 Erie Avenue in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. Additionally, their LIFE/SAP services are provided in local schools.

 

We are extremely grateful to the Elk County Community Foundation for their support.

Cortney Pahel, PAT Program Director

“I am appreciative of these local services that have been made available to me and my children. I would highly recommend joining in on these programs because there is always something new to learn as a parent!”

Gina Hayes

The PAT Program includes a lineup of services for Elk County families beginning when parents are expecting, at the birth, and until the child is five years old. The primary focus is on early childhood development, supporting families, and fostering young children’s healthy growth and wellness.

Gina Hayes, a mother of three beautiful girls ages 12, three and one, regularly visits Dickinson’s Children’s Center with her children.

“I am in recovery and I’ve been a little over a year and a half clean. My clean date is August 23, 2021,” stated Hayes. “I participate in Parents as Teachers and the Triple P parenting programs and they have been beneficial to both me and my family throughout my recovery journey. Having the support within these programs has been essential with improving and continually developing age appropriate parenting strategies with each of my children. I’m so unbelievably grateful for the guidance and encouragement from both staff and other parents I’ve been able to connect with. I am appreciative of these local services that have been made available to me and my children. I would highly recommend joining in on these programs because there is always something new to learn as a parent!”

Since 1958, Dickinson Center, Inc. has been committed to helping individuals reach their full potential by providing a comprehensive spectrum of behavioral health, intellectual disability, and prevention services. Initially, DCI opened to provide outpatient psychiatric care to rural northwestern Pennsylvania, and is now recognized as a leading rural behavioral health provider in northwestern Pennsylvania, serving Elk, Cameron, Potter, McKean, Forest, Warren, Jefferson and Clearfield counties.

To learn more about Dickinson’s PAT services and events, follow them on Facebook at @DCI.Childrens.