This section contains information on a wide variety of programs specifically designed to help children. Related information on other children’s services can be found in the Medical, Mentors, and Parenting & Teens sections.
4-H PROGRAMS
4-H is a community of young people who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Information at the following counties:
Cumberland
717-240-6500
Dauphin
717-921-8803
Lancaster
717-394-6851
Lebanon
717-270-4391
Perry
717-582-5150
York
717-840-7408
ASERT AUTISM RESOURCE CENTER
Designed to bring together existing resources for families, providers, and self-advocates, and allow them to access a broad array of information to help meet the needs of those living with or serving people with autism..
877-231-4244
www.paautism.org
AUTISM SOCIETY, GREATER HARRISBURG AREA CHAPTER
Promotes opportunities for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to participate in the same valued life experiences as do other citizens.
717-732-8408
800-244-2425, ext. 8408
PO Box 101, Enola.
www.autismharrisburg.org
BETHESDA MISSION COMMUNITY (YOUTH) CENTER
Develops meaningful relationships with children, teens, and families in the Harrisburg area.
1438 Herr St., Harrisburg
717-257-5483
www.bethesdamission.org
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF HARRISBURG
Serves as a neighborhood based organization committed to serving youth of all backgrounds in developing self-esteem and character and to help them become responsible citizens by providing physical, recreational, social, educational and vocational programs.
717-234-3268
1227 Berryhill Street, Harrisburg
717-232-1711
1700 Hanover St., Harrisburg
717-512-2833
1313 Monroe St., Harrisburg
www.bgchbg.org
BRIDGES 4 LIFE
(Tri-County Community Action)
A community based prevention program for at-risk young adults ages 15-21 to help identify, access, build, and apply resources for success in school, work and life.
717-232-9757
1514 Derry St., Harrisburg
www.cactricounty.org
CAITLIN’S SMILES
Helps children facing chronic or life threatening illnesses through distribution of arts and crafts kits.
717-412-4759
3303 N. Sixth St., Harrisburg
www.caitlins-smiles.org
CAPITAL AREA HEAD START
Provides children’s services for a head start in life, empowers parents and strengthens families.
717-541-1795
www.keystonehumanservices.org/capital-area-head-start
CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP)
Provides health insurance to uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance.
800-986-KIDS (5437)
www.chipcoverspakids.com
CHILD FIND OF AMERICA
Provides services designed to prevent and resolve child abduction and the family conflicts that can lead to abduction and abuse.
800-I-AM-LOST (800-426-5678)
www.childfindofamerica.org
CHILDREN’S HOME OF YORK
Empowers children to thrive, strengthens families and enriches communities.
717-755-1033
77 Shoe House Road, York
www.choyork.org
CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Provides professional social services to protect the safety and welfare of children; preserve, support and strengthen the family; and identify alternative care, a safe environment and a permanent home for those children unable to remain in their home
717-240-6120
888-697-0371 x 6120
16 W. High St., Suite 200, Carlisle
www.ccpa.net/108/Children-Youth-Services
CHILDREN & YOUTH OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
Dedicated to the health, safety and welfare of children and families.
717-780-7200
1001 N. Sixth St., Harrisburg
717-905-2700
295 State Dr., Elizabethville
www.dauphincounty.org/government/departments/children_and_youth/index.php
COMMUNITY CHECK UP-CENTER
A community based non-profit organization working in partnership with the community to improve the health and wellness of low-income women and children through high quality compassionate care.
Pediatrics, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Women, 9 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Tuesdays and Fridays
717-233-1700
38C Hall Manor
www.communitycheckupcenter.org
EARLY LEARNING RESOURCE CENTERS
(Pennsylvania Department of Human Services)
CCIS agencies provide you and your family with information on quality child care and personalized child care referrals to child care providers based on your specific needs or preferences.
Cumberland/Dauphin/Lebanon/Perry counties
717-210-3334
800-864-4925
www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/ELRCs.aspx
FAMILY HEALTH COUNCIL OF CENTRAL PA.
Works with hospitals, federally funded community health centers, free-standing clinics, direct-service agencies, WIC centers, HIV/AIDS service organizations, and other community-based organizations to provide services to thousands, who might otherwise go without needed care.
717-761-7380
www.fhccp.org
FUTURES WITHOUT VIOLENCE
Information on family violence issues. San Francisco main office
415-678-5500
www.futureswithoutviolence.org
GREATER HARRISBURG HEALTHY START
(Program of Hamilton Health Center)
Mission is to improve the health and well-being of pregnant and postpartum women, their babies, families and the community by providing comprehensive supportive services in the communities where they live.
717-909-1278
110 S. 17th St., Harrisburg
www.harrisburghealthystart.com
HEEDING GOD’S CALL
An interfaith effort to eliminate illegal use of guns and gun violence.
717-461-3540
219 Hummel St., Harrisburg
www.facebook.com/heedingharrisburg/
HOLDING HOPE
Works to support families of children with life-threatening illnesses being treated at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital
717-649-8126
325 Woodbridge Dr., Etters
www.holdinghope.org
KEYSTONE AUTISM SERVICES
Provides services for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders.
717-220-1465
www.keystonehumanservices.org/autism-services
LANCASTER INTENSIVE DAY TREATMENT
(Catholic Charities)
Serves at-risk youth from nine to fifteen who possess significant emotional and behavioral health needs.
717-295-9630
47 S. Mulberrry St., Lancaster
www.cchbg.org
MYNDWORKS COUNSELING
(Jewish Family Service of Greater Harrisburg)
Offers innovative and effective programs to support children and adults going through a difficult period in life.
717-233-1681
3333 N. Front St., Harrisburg
www.jfsofhbg.org
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN
800-843-5678
www.missingkids.com
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Serves a multi-ethnic uptown neighborhood, as well as the total Harrisburg community, with educational, cultural, social service, basic needs, leadership, and recreational programs for children and their families.
717-233-6541
1801 N. Third St., Harrisburg
www.neighborhoodcenterumc.org
NEW HOPE MINISTRIES
Youth program offering children’s services to provide assistance with homework, life skills, recreation, educational activities, and community service activities while promoting positive behavior and values. Has centers in Dillsburg, Dover, Hanover, Mechanicsburg, New Oxford and West Shore (Lemoyne).
717-432-2087
99 W. Church St., Dillsburg
www.nhm-pa.org
NORTHERN DAUPHIN HUMAN SERVICES CENTER
Children’s services and youth services.
717-905-2700
877-893-3344
295 State Drive, Elizabethville
www.dauphincounty.org/government/departments/children_and_youth/index.php
PENN STATE HERSHEY CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN
Develops and coordinates research, education, and policy initiatives having to do with child abuse/protection.
717-531-5158
5000 Universsity Dr., MC H085, Hershey
childrens.pennstatehealth.org/patients-families-and-visitors/support-and-coping-services/protection-of-children
PENN STATE HEALTH PEDIATRIC TRAUMA AND INJURY PREVENTION
Only Level I pediatric trauma center serving the 10-county area of southcentral Pennsylvania. Children’s services for managing children’s serious, sudden injuries.
717-531-8342 (trauma)
717-531-SAFE (injury prevention)
https://childrens.pennstatehealth.org/trauma
PENNSYLVANIA STATE RESOURCE FAMILY ASSOCIATION
Advocates for all those who care about children and their families.
800-951-5151
PO Box 60216, Harrisburg 17106
www.psrfa.org
PERRY COUNTY FAMILY CENTER
Strives to be family-friendly and to nurture new partnerships that enhance the effective coordination of services among agencies.
717-582-3656
8391-R Spring Road, Suite 3, New Bloomfield
www.pcfamilycenter.org
PRESSLEY RIDGE
Programming helps to rebuild communities and families who are facing difficult challenges and complex situations.
888-777-0820
www.pressleyridge.org
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
Keeps children and families together by providing temporary housing at no charge to out-of-town families of seriously ill children who are being treated at Penn State Children’s Hospital.
717-533-4001
745 W. Governor Road, Hershey
www.rmhc-centralpa.org
SPECIAL KIDS NETWORK HELP PA
(Pennsylvania Department of Health)
Helps children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities get the services and support they require in order to thrive in their community and develop to their full potential.
800-986-4550
www.health.pa.gov/topics/programs/Special%20Kids%20Network/Pages/Special%20Kids%20Network.aspx
UNITED METHODIST HOME FOR CHILDREN INC.
Provides community-based care services to youth and families in need in central and southeastern Pennsylvania. Youth ages 12-20 receive safe housing, emotional and educational support, food, clothing, medical and behavioral healthcare, counseling, and more in a family-like atmosphere.
717-766-7652
5120 Simpson Ferry Road
Mechanicsburg
www.umhcservices.com
UPMC PINNACLEHEALTH CHILDREN AND TEEN CENTER
717-782-4650
2645 N. Third St., second floor, Harrisburg
www.pinnaclehealth.org/locations/office/6478-pinnaclehealth-children-and-teen-center
WIC
A federally funded program that provides nutrition services, breastfeeding support, health care and social service referrals, and healthy foods.
800-WIC-WINS (942-9467)
www.pawic.com
Services available at Hamilton Health Center
717-230-3979
YORK COUNTY CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES
717-846-8496
800-729-9227
100 W. Market St., Suite 402, York
https://yorkcountypa.gov/parks-recreation/13-county-human-services/children-youth-families.html
YOUTH ADVOCATE PROGRAMS, INC.
One of the largest non-profit agencies providing exclusively non-residential, community-based programs.
2007 N. Third St., Harrisburg
717-232-7580
www.yapinc.org