Kids across Pennsylvania are enjoying their summer break. And while school’s out and their parents are at work, it falls on all of us — parents, guardians, neighbors and community members — to make sure that we’re doing all we can to create safe, secure environments where our youngest can thrive and make unforgettable summer memories.

It’s especially critical that communities step up to keep Pennsylvania children safe with the state facing a childcare crisis (“Children First: Pennsylvania has a childcare crisis,” June 26).

The most important thing that community members can do is to keep an eye out for the kids in the neighborhood while keeping open dialogues with parents and older children. If you see or suspect something amiss, you should contact ChildLine, which provides information, counseling and referral services for families and children, at 1-800-932-0313.

Community members wishing to do more to protect children and support families will want to check out The Front Porch Project. This is a community-based prevention initiative based on the belief that all should become more aware of how to help protect children and support families in their own communities. This program helps neighbors and community members to take an active role in preventing abuse and neglect before it occurs.

We all must do our part to keep Pennsylvania’s kids safe. If you’re interested in discovering more ways to keep kids safe, please check out The Front Porch Project at https://pafsa.org/the-front-porch-project.

From Bucks County Herald, July 6, 2023