For Immediate Release
September 27, 2017
Contact: Emily Kanter, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 215-434-7195
ChildLink Celebrates 25 Years of Empowering Families to Maximize their Child’s Potential
Kickoff celebration on Saturday, September 30th at Dilworth Plaza
PHILADELPHIA, PA – ChildLink, a program of Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), whose mission is to educate, empower and increase a family's capacity to support their child in reaching his or her highest potential, is celebrating 25 years of partnership with Philadelphia Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program coordinated by Philadelphia’s Intellectual disAbility Services, a division of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) to provide early intervention service coordination to children across Philadelphia from birth to age three who have special needs or developmental delays.
“We are honored to have served nearly 100,000 children and families along with DBHIDS over the last 25 years, and look forward to celebrating our efforts and outcomes with the community,” said Sara Molina-Robinson, Managing Director, Social Services at PHMC. “Our overarching objective continues to be helping communities understand how early identification of developmental issues and delays is a key piece of a child’s school readiness and future success. ChildLink looks to ensure that children with developmental delays are supported with services and interventions to address their developmental issues and promote the child’s ongoing development.”
The 25th anniversary celebration events kick-off on September 29, 2017 with an invitation only event at City Hall where Councilman Derek Green will be presenting and reading the Proclamation given by the City of Philadelphia, which recognizes September 29, 2017 as Philadelphia Infant Toddler Early Intervention Day in the City of Philadelphia The festivities continue September 30, 2017 at City Hall’s Dilworth Plaza and will be followed by series of outreach events throughout Philadelphia in the coming months. During these events, ChildLink staff will provide free developmental screenings, referrals for services, games and activities for the entire family.
“We’re excited to celebrate 25 years of partnership with DBHIDS and honor the positive impact that has been made on the lives of young children and their families across our region,” said Richard J. Cohen, President and CEO of PHMC.
On Saturday, September 30 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Dilworth Park at City Hall guests can enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of music, face painting, balloons, games, giveaways and more. Free developmental screenings and information about access to early intervention services will be available.
Early Intervention services including service coordination provided by ChildLink are entitlements under the Pennsylvania Early Intervention Services System Act and are provided at no cost to families. Early Intervention is one of the services included in Mayor Kenny’s Shared Prosperity Running Start, a citywide plan to address the connection between health, learning and helping young children get ready for school. The plan calls for agencies and community programs throughout the city that work with young children to have focused and coordinated efforts to address the risk factors and adverse situations experienced by young Philadelphia children.
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About Public Health Management Corporation
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities. PHMC uses best practices to improve community health through direct service, partnership, innovation, policy, research, technical assistance and a prepared workforce. PHMC has served the region since 1972. For more information on PHMC, visit www.phmc.org.
About ChildLink
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) administers the ChildLink/Philadelphia County program as part of a contract with the City of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral health and Intellectual disAbility Services (IdS). As a program of PHMC, ChildLink staff educate, empower and increase a family's capacity to support their child in reaching his or her highest potential. Since 1992 nearly 100,000 children have received services and more than 4200 children are currently receiving service coordination and early intervention or developmental screening. For more information, visit www.childlinkphila.org.
