Two juveniles charged with nearly 500 combined crimes for creating AI-generated nude images of students at Lancaster Country Day School raised questions about the responsibilities of mandated reporters in cases of child-on-child abuse. Cathleen Palm, child advocate from the Center for Children’s Justice, said the law is confusing. She said while “child on child” harm […]
WTAJ: Program Director in Cambria Co. honored as PA Blue Ribbon Champion
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Every year in April, the PA Family Support Alliance (PFSA) honors individuals from across the Commonwealth who go above and beyond the call to protect kids from abuse and neglect. A program director who works in Johnstown is one of four people in Pennsylvania […]
The Tribune-Democrat: Court-Appointed Special Advocate program director gets ‘Safe Kids’ blue ribbon
Tyler Smay’s child advocacy role at Beginnings Inc. is a behind-the-scenes position, he said, which made it a humbling surprise when he received the Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids award this year. Smay, 32, is Beginnings Inc.’s program director for Court Appointed Special Advocates of the Laurel Highlands. A court-appointed special advocate, or […]
Building Stronger Communities: The Front Porch Project® and Child Abuse Prevention
Whenever an instance of child abuse and neglect occurs, community members often ask themselves the same things: “How could this happen here?” “Why didn’t anyone notice or do anything?” “How do we stop this from happening again?” Child abuse prevention is a responsibility that falls on every member of the community, not just professionals. In […]
#ProtectPAKids: Talking to Kids About Domestic Violence
Imagine this scenario. You’re 9 years old and just coming home from school. It was a great day at school because you and all your friends wore pajamas. Even your teacher dressed up and brought special snacks for the class to eat. You can’t wait to tell Mom and Dad all about it. But when […]
#ProtectPAKids: Child Homelessness in Pennsylvania
Jack Veal was only 14 when he appeared as “Loki” on Disney+. A few years later, he would find himself homeless on the streets on London after escaping from a physically and emotionally abusive household. “Hi. I’m a famous actor, I’m 17 and I’m homeless,” Veal said in one TikTok. Sadly, his story is not […]
PennLive: Opinion: Homelessness has no zip code, as thousands of Pennsylvania’s children know too well
Imagine a child starting their school day exhausted, not because of a late-night study session but because they spent the night in a car. For tens of thousands of children, this is not just a bad day; it’s their everyday reality. Tens of thousands of children in Pennsylvania are unhoused, which not only disrupts their […]
Looking Back on 2024: Advocacy, Awareness, and Action
Every child deserves a safe, supportive environment to grow and thrive. At Pa Family Support Alliance, this commitment drives our work every day. From honoring exceptional advocates at our Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids Awards to raising awareness about online safety and nurturing children’s emotional growth, we’re proud to collaborate with communities across the […]
Reconociendo y Reportando del Abuso de Menores
Talking to Your Child About the 2024 Election: A Guide for Parents
The 2024 election is over. As Americans prepare for the next four years and sort out their feelings, we can’t forget about how our kids might be feeling about this. The election cycle slammed us with ads, messages and coverage — especially in battleground Pennsylvania. Our kids also saw this play out, as they too […]
