EVIDENCE - BASED PROGRAMS
Erie County, PA
Quick Directory
The menu of EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS listed have each undergone rigorous evaluation and been recognized as effective by federal and state agencies and/or prevention science organizations. In addition, all programs must address one or more of the priority risk or protective factors in Erie County.
Directory compiled by the Erie County Policy and Planning Council for Children and Families.
Description:
24/7 Dad® helps fathers grow and develop as caring, compassionate individuals who treat themselves, others, and the home environment with respect and dignity. By participating in 12 weekly sessions, dads will learn valuable skills such as, building self-worth, improving relationships, dealing with anger, understanding power and control, co-parenting enhancing communication, and having fun with their kids. These sessions are designed to create a positive impact on both fathers and their children, fostering stronger, healthier family bonds.
Target Client:
Any male figure who provides care for child(ren) are welcome. No income requirements to enroll, seats are limited.
Description:
This is an early intervention program for parents and caregivers of young children (birth to 10 years old.) Its purpose is to teach positive parenting skills and practices that 1) help create stable, safe, healthy, nurturing home environments and 2) help build family family relationships that protect children from adverse experiences such as abuse and neglect and their resultant lifelong consequences.
Target Client:
Parents and caregivers of children aged 0-10 years.
Contact:
Ashley Johnson - Prevention Coordinator
CAC Info
(814) 451-0202
Description:
At the request of the parents or caregivers, Family Services of NW PA match volunteers to children who need support. Volunteers are matched through common interests in hopes that the volunteer is able to enhance the child's life as well as broaden ther horizons. Volunteers are trained to look for teachable moments to develop social, academic, physical skills as well as introduce new hobbies, cultural, recreational, and environmental experiences.
Target Client:
Children ages 6 through 13 from predominantly single parent, at-risk families.
Who Can Volunteer:
Anyone over the age of 18 in Erie or Western Crawford County. Main requirement is to be a caring, consistent, and safe role model with a desire to have a positive impact on a child.
Contact:
Hannah Fuller
(814) 866-4598
hfuller@fsnwpa.org
Description:
This is a free, 9-session educational program for family, significant others, and friends of individuals with mental health conditions.
Target Client:
Any family member who has loved one with a mental health challenge. The individual does not need a formal diagnosis.
Description:
Services help engage families and find solutions for both immediate and long-term needs related to safety, well-being, and permanency. A FGDM conference is facilitated to aid families in working together to support and address family concerns. Information sharing, family private time, plan preservation and acceptance, and action are the main focuses.
Target Client:
FGDM is available to families with children ages 0-18 who are transitioning from i take to ongoing services, any client that is open with the Erie County Office of Children and Youth or Mercer County Children and Youth Services, and those who are under court order.
Description:
This program is designed to provide parents with the social and emotional techniques for managing and minimizing unregulated and aggressive behaviors that may be seen in young children's behaviors around the ages of 6-12 years old. The program is a two and a half hour session that meets once a week for 14 weeks.
*This program is also offered in several different formats - Spanish, Intellectual Disabilities, and Autism and Language Delays.
Target Client:
Any adult who provides care for a child between the ages of 6-12. No income requirements and limited seating.
Contact:
(814) 520-8214
info@eriefamilycenter.org
Description:
Intensive in-home therapy 2-5 times per week for 3-5 months. This is a family based treatment approach that helps decrease and prevent anti-social and delinquent behaviors.
Target Client:
12-17 years old with chronic, delinquent behavior and/or serious emotional problems such as: criminal behavior, aggressive behavior, drug and alcohol issues, running away, truancy and/or academic problems, serious disrespect and/or disobedience.
Contact:
Patricia Currington - FSNWPA
(814) 866-4652
Norm Stanford - MST Supervisor at Harborcreek Youth Services
(814) 440-8742
Description:
This is an adaptation of Multisystemic Therapy and is an intensive, family-based treatment approach that helps youth ages 10-17.5 who have committed sexual offenses and demonstrated other severe problem behaviors.
Target Client:
Available to youth ages 10-17.5 years old. At least one adult caregiver must participate in treatment.
Description:
Family specialists work on developing parenting skills with the belief that the maltreatment of children can be treated and prevented. Curriculum is centered on replacing unwanted and hurtful parenting patterns with healthier patterns of pre-natal bonding and neonatal attachment. Parents also receive education on positively responding to the needs of children; a discipline that maintains the dignity of children, self-awareness of the adults' own childhood, and a sense of empowerment to make choices that promote personal and community health.
Target Client:
Families with infants, toddlers, preschools, children up to 11 years old and those who have one or both parents/guardians with intellectual disabilities, mental health, or drug and alcohol concerns and/or a physical disability.
Description:
This program focuses on providing training and interventions to parents and caregivers, better equipping them to successfully manage their child's behaviors. Designed for children with significant emotional or behavioral problems - emphasis on improving the quality of relationships and daily interactions.
Target Client:
Children ages 2-7 who exhibit disruptive behaviors such as: trouble listening to adult requests and/or argues with adults, can't sit still or play alone, has difficulty taking turns, throws temper tantrums, hits or kicks others/destroys things.
Contact:
(814) 459-2755
Contact:
(814) 838-1954
Description:
Certified Parent Educators bring the program to families with an emphasis on parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting, and family well-being. We know that parents are their child’s first and most important teachers. We support families on their unique parenting journeys by helping to increase their knowledge of child development, promote positive parenting practices, provide early detection of developmental delays and health concerns, and help build the skills necessary for school readiness and success. By partnering with and empowering parents we hope that children and families grow and develop to reach their full potential.
Target Client:
Families who are prenatal or with children up to the age of 5
Contact:
(814) 438-6065
Description:
Learning to manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as they relate to a traumatic experience.
Target Client:
Any child age 3 to 18 experiencing a traumatic life event such as abuse, neglect, traumatic events such as abuse, violence, or grief.
Contact:
(814) 459-2755
Questions or comments contact: (814) 824-2186 | info@unifiederie.org
Updated 2026