ADVOCATE.

The needs of our community exceed the boundaries of our area. United Way and partners are sharing the issues and solutions with friends, family, associates and leaders in our area and beyond.  We need to make noise on behalf of children, families, and those in need!

This is another great way to LIVE UNITED

School Readiness

United Way of Westmoreland County is constantly working on behalf of children of this state and area by educating the legislature and partners on the merits of funding state and local programs such as Keystone STARS, Pennsylvania Partnership for Children, and much more.

For more information, please contact Jan Gebicki at jan@unitedway4u.org

or click here to learn more about United Way's regional and local efforts.

Pennsylvania School Readiness Data and Information web-sites:

Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children: http://www.papartnerships.org/

The Fred Rogers Center:  http://www.fredrogerscenter.org/

Pre-K Today Pennsylvania:  http://www.prektoday.org/

Fight Crime Invest in Kids:  http://www.fightcrime.org/pa/ 

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Child Care Provider Search:

https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/compass/ProviderSearch/PGM/PSADD.aspx

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/early_childhood/cwp/view.asp?a=316&q=125765&early_childhoodNav=|10773|&early_childhoodNav=|

Department of Public Welfare, Early Education and Care: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/ChildCareEarlyEd/

PA Keys: http://www.pakeys.org/

Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children:  http://www.pghaeyc.org/ (Serves 10 Counties in Southwestern PA including Westmoreland)

PNC Grow Up Great: http://www.pncgrowupgreat.com/grow_up_great.html

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh: http://www.pittsburghkids.org/
 

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Pushing for a Regional 2-1-1 Helpline in Harrisburg

This year food, utilities, health and financial assistance are the primary reasons thousands are calling helplines across the country.  Nationally, calling is up as much as 145%.  Our Westmoreland County Information and Referral Helpline began 24/7 service in 2007 and is run by partner agencies - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg, Westmoreland Community Action - and the Westmoreland County Commissioners.  Across the nation, 90% of the states in the US have established a 2-1-1 Helpline.  Only a handful remain without this service.  United Way is working hard to obtain resources from Pennsylvania to help fund a regional help line for the greater Pittsburgh area. This effort and others address the critical needs around Building Strong Neighborhoods and Communities.

Before helplines existed, those in need made five calls on average to get necessary information or help. Fortunately now, Westmoreland County has a 24/7 Helpline 800.222.8848. With individuals needing resources beyond the boundaries of our county, United Way of Westmoreland County is working hard to establish a regional 2-1-1 call center. Working with partners in Harrisburg and the region, we have built a business plan for executing this service in Pennsylvania.

For more information please click here :