Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children

09/01/2026

💙 When family steps up, children stay connected.

September is Kinship Care Month, a time to recognize the grandparents, relatives, and close family friends who open their homes to children when they cannot safely remain with their parents.

Kinship care can help children maintain important family connections, preserve a sense of stability, and remain connected to their communities.

But kinship caregivers need support, too. Families stepping into these roles may face financial, legal, emotional, and practical challenges as they work to provide children with safe, stable homes.

At PPC, we believe Pennsylvania must ensure kinship caregivers have the resources and support they need to help children and families thrive.

This month, we're recognizing the kinship caregivers who step up for Pennsylvania's children. 💙

08/31/2026

🥕 Happy 62nd anniversary to SNAP!

Today marks 62 years since the Food Stamp Act of 1964 established the modern federal food assistance program that eventually became SNAP.

For 62 years, this program has helped families put food on the table, including families with children. 💙

Nutritious food is more than a meal. It supports children's health, development, learning, and ability to thrive.

As SNAP faces changes that could make it harder for families to access this critical support, protecting food security remains more important than ever.

At PPC, we'll continue working to ensure Pennsylvania's children and families have the resources they need to thrive.

08/26/2026

📚✨ “A child’s imagination is the most powerful thing in the world.” — Dolly Parton

We couldn't agree more.

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, explore, dream big, and reach their full potential. That starts with access to the resources and supports children need from their earliest years, including high-quality early learning and access to books.

Through her Imagination Library, Dolly Parton put millions of books into children's hands. At Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, we advocate for policies and investments that give each Pennsylvania child the strong start they deserve.

Because investing in children today helps build a stronger Pennsylvania tomorrow. 💙

08/22/2026

📚🥕 Kids can't learn on an empty stomach.

Reliable access to nutritious food is an important part of helping children stay healthy, focus in school, and reach their full potential.

For eligible Pennsylvania families, SNAP helps make it possible to put food on the table, even when household budgets are stretched.

This , we're highlighting why protecting SNAP matters for Pennsylvania's children and families. 💙

08/20/2026

💉 Pennsylvania's children deserve access to the preventive care that helps keep them healthy.

This National Immunization Awareness Month, we're highlighting an important development for Pennsylvania families: the Commonwealth plans to retain its current childhood vaccine schedule despite recent federal changes.

Routine childhood immunizations help protect children from serious diseases and are an important part of keeping kids healthy and ready to learn.

At PPC, we'll continue advocating for policies that put the health and well-being of Pennsylvania's children first. 💙

Read more from PennLive.com:
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2026/08/we-will-follow-the-facts-pa-to-retain-childhood-vaccine-schedule-despite-latest-trump-order.html

Trump's order has little power to force states to change their vaccine rules.

08/15/2026

🛒 **For families, every grocery trip adds up.**

When the cost of food competes with rent, utilities, child care, and other household expenses, SNAP can help eligible Pennsylvania families put food on the table.

For children, that support can mean more consistent access to nutritious meals and a stronger foundation for healthy growth and learning. 💙

This , we're highlighting why SNAP matters for Pennsylvania families.

08/13/2026

💙 **When parents lose Medicaid coverage, children can be at risk of losing coverage, too, even when they're still eligible. ****

As federal Medicaid changes create new requirements and barriers for families, PPC is concerned about the impact on children's access to health care.

As PPC's Becky Ludwick told 90.5 WESA:

“So when we see parents lose coverage, we often see that even if the child in the household or the children in the household are still eligible, there's a much larger risk of them losing their coverage too.”

Read more about what the Medicaid changes could mean for Pennsylvania families: https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2026-08-10/medicaid-changes-healthcare-coverage

Though the new rules won’t take effect until January, state human service officials plan to begin notifying people about the upcoming changes later this month because they are expected to be so disruptive.

08/11/2026

📚 Pennsylvania's FY 2026–27 budget includes new investments in Pre-K that can help strengthen early learning across the Commonwealth.

The funding will support Pre-K providers and the early learning workforce while helping expand opportunities for young learners.

What does the budget include? Take a look. 👇

Learn more about what's included in the state budget: https://www.papartnerships.org/2026-27-state-budget/

08/10/2026

📣 A Better Future for PA Kids Begins with Head Start

With the new school year approaching, we're reminded of the importance of investing in children and families.

Start provides critical early learning, health, nutrition and family support services to children and families, which is a critical investment in Pennsylvania’s children.

As a recent PennLive editorial highlights:
“There’s just no argument; Head Start has been one of the nation’s most successful programs aimed at lifting children out of poverty and putting them squarely on the path to academic and lifelong success.”

At PPC, we’ll continue advocating for policies and investments that give each child the opportunity to grow, learn and reach their full potential.

Read the full PennLive editorial: https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2026/08/pennsylvanias-children-deserve-better-than-political-cowardice-pennlive-editorial.html

For decades, this proven program has given children from working-class families a fighting chance at success. Weakening it now would condemn another generation to poverty.

08/08/2026

🥕 **Healthy food. Healthy kids.**

For families facing food insecurity and rising costs, SNAP can help make nutritious food more accessible and put healthy meals on the table.

Reliable access to nutritious food supports children's health, development, and ability to learn.

That's why protecting SNAP is an investment in Pennsylvania's children and families. 💙

This , let's remember what's at stake: **healthy food supports healthy kids.**