UPMC – Beaver County Crisis #: 800-400-6180 (Available 24/7)
The Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they text PA to 741741.
Not sure where to start? Call 724.847.6225 and ask for Early Intervention, or an Intellectual Disability (ID) or Mental Health (MH) Specialist.
Inclusion in Early Childhood
Pennsylvania’s PROMISE for Children, known as PA Promise, is a campaign to help families make good choices about their child’s early learning and choose quality early learning programs that are right for their family. The Pennsylvania Office of Early Learning and Development (OCDEL) is the primary partner in PA Promise.
Pennsylvania ECE programs have worked for years to establish inclusive program policies and opportunities for all young children and increase the number of children with disabilities in ECE programs. OCDEL will continue building on the success of this work to ensure access to high-quality inclusive programing is available for all young children and their families.
Get details, including next steps, in the
Announcement DS-03, Inclusion of All Children in Early Childhood Education Programs in Pennsylvania.
Suspensions and Expulsions
A child’s first five years are the most critical for neurological development.
This is why responding to young children’s behaviors by suspending or expelling them from early childhood education (ECE) programs threatens their well-being during a critical period of learning.
To highlight ways in which early childhood education (ECE) professionals should work to focus on preventative and responsive strategies for healthy child development, Trying Together has released a white paper entitled, “A Pathway to Reduce and Eliminate Early Childhood Suspensions and Expulsions.” This white paper is meant to provide guidance for stakeholders at all levels – teachers in the classroom, directors of programs, early interventionists, quality coaches, mental and behavioral health specialists, advocates, families, and policymakers.
Are You Concerned About Your Child’s Development?
Call Pennsylvania’s CONNECT Helpline at 1-800-692-7288 for information about your child’s development and connecting to Early Intervention services in Pennsylvania.
Call Child Care Works Helpline at 1-877-4-PA-KIDS (1-877-472-5437) for information about finding, paying for and other concerns related to child care.
Additional help and support for parents during COVID-19
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child’s development online and act early if you have a concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also developed a downloadable milestone tracker mobile app for your phone.
Developmental Milestones Checklist: What changes should you expect as your child grows? This checklist is provided by PA Promise, a campaign to help families make good choices about their child’s early learning and choose quality early learning programs that are right for their family.
Local Resources
Beaver County Behavioral Health (BCBH)
Early Intervention Services ( for infants and toddlers ages 0-3)
724.847.6220 or toll-free at 1.877.597.5535
Head Start/Early Head Start of Beaver County is a federally funded child development program for families with children ages 0-5.
(A program of the Private Industry Council)
724.728.2110
Beaver County HealthChoices Program
Child & Adolescent Psychological/Psychiatric Evaluations
Independent Evaluator Directory
The listings of Independent Evaluators in this Directory may change or be updated. Please call the toll-free Beaver County Member Services Line 1.877.688.5970 to ensure that you have the most current Directory.
(Immediate appointments available for therapists and less than a month wait for a psychiatrist!)
1607 Third St.
Beaver, PA 15009
724.728.8411
With locations in Beaver, Baden and Bridgeville, WPPC provides comprehensive mental health services for individuals (child, adolescent, adult, geriatric) of all ages. Services include: Psychiatric Evaluation, Medication Management, Outpatient Therapy, BHRS/Wraparound, School Based Therapy, Group Therapy, Summer Therapeutic Activities Program, Early Intervention, and Specialized Autism Services.
Wesley Spectrum / Wonder Kids (WK) A social skills group for children ages 5-21 which provides therapeutic and social relationship interventions designed to teach and enhance age-appropriate social skills for those who have an Autism Spectrum or Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder diagnosis.
Reach for Speech, LLC – 3399 Brodhead Rd., Suite A Aliquippa, PA 15001
A pediatric speech therapy agency providing information, evaluations or therapy services for families concerned with their child’s communication or feeding skills.
724.888.2548
Women, Infants & Children (WIC) – the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program to help improve the health of women, infants and children by providing:
- Healthy Food
- Nutrition Information
- Breastfeeding Support
- Referral Services
WIC services are provided at low or no cost to you and your family. You may be eligible if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have children under the age of 5. Call 1.866.942.2778 to schedule an appointment.
Center For Hope – A multi-denominational, faith-based Charity/Community Center. Help with Food, Clothing, Nutrition, Pet Care and Household Supplies…
Address:
740 Park Road
Ambridge, PA 15003
724.251.4899
Contact:
Sue Otto, Director | ext. 112
Barbara Whisnant, Volunteer Coordinator | ext. 115
Bethany’s Safe Families for Children program – Arranges for children to stay with a Christian family when the parents are experiencing a temporary crisis.
877.723.3036
UPMC for Kids
A Pennsylvania Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) product.
1.800.978.8762
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan – CHIP coverage for all uninsured children and teens up to age 19 in Pennsylvania, who are not eligible for Medical Assistance.
1.800.414.9025
PA ABLE Savings Program for Disability-Related Expenses
A PA ABLE account gives individuals with qualified disabilities (Eligible Individuals), and their families and friends, a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses, while maintaining government benefits. Federal and state law authorized the creation of PA ABLE accounts.
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Verbal Beginnings provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to children ages 2-18 who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Using positive reinforcement and measurable goals, ABA is used to increase desired behavior across a variety of settings and social environments. It’s an individualized approach tailored to a child’s specific needs. For more information, call 855-344-5977 or email at begin@verbalbeginnings.com.
Children’s TiPS
Available to children and adolescents in western Pennsylvania who are insured by Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance (Medicaid) Program, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and UPMC commercial insurance.
Children’s TiPS is designed to help connect primary care clinicians with child psychiatrists. The program aims to improve behavioral health treatment for children in the state by providing psychiatric consultation to physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other prescribers of psychotropic medications.
With help from the Children’s TiPS teams, primary care clinicians in western Pennsylvania can effectively meet the needs of children and adolescents with mental health conditions such as ADHD, anxiety and depression. Some youth may need specialty psychiatric care or have needs that can not be managed in a primary care setting. TiPS care coordinators are available to assist providers and families with locating additional treatment resources within their own communities.
The phone number for any questions: 1.844.WPA.TIPS/ 1.844.972.8477
We are all grieving something . . .
Need to Talk to Someone? You’re not alone …. explore options!
Resources for families of children with special needs
Visit our special needs webpage.
Family Resource Guide Special Needs support for Allegheny County and surrounding areas. See the Top Ten questions families ask about special needs support. Includes family-recommended tips!
Miracle Dental Associates Integrated Dentistry for Children and Special Needs from ages 0-20. Occupational therapists, therapy dogs, and other useful modalities are used to increase positive experiences with an emphasis on those with spectrum and psychological diagnoses. Introducing On-Site Dentistry.
How to Improve Emotional Self-Regulation Among Children with Autism and Attention Disorders
Recently published, this lesson (provided by Pepperdine University) includes a free download for the blank emotional levels chart.
Web Resources
Mom & Mental Health: Supporting Women during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding – a MotherToBaby.org webpage providing:
- Mental Health-Related MotherToBaby Fact Sheets: Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Trauma
- Mental Health Medication-Related MotherToBaby Fact Sheets
(This webpage houses important resources pertaining to various mental health issues and medications to treat them. They contain evidence-based information about their risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, they should not replace the care of a medical professional.)
Child Mind Institute – an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.
Website Features: Topics A-Z, Ask an Expert Q & A, Symptom Checker, Glossary, Concerns, Disorders, and a Brainstorm Blog
Child Care Lounge – Online child care classes for continuing education training, resources, activity ideas, network with other child care professionals.