Dickinson Center honored as Blue Ribbon Parents as Teachers affiliate; commissioners proclaim Nov. 8 as Parents as Teachers Day

Courtney Pail of the Dickinson Center presented to the Elk County Board of Commissioners about the Parents as Teachers program, an evidence-based home-visiting model that provides personal visits, group connections, child screenings and a resource network to support families until children enter kindergarten. "Parents have such an important job... and that's our job as parent educators to help support, encourage, and empower parents," Pail said during the presentation.

Pail told commissioners that Dickinson Center is a Blue Ribbon affiliate for the second time and highlighted the county-level reach of the service: the program last year served 309 families and 507 children in Elk County. She said the average length of involvement for families in the program was about three years, exceeding the program's two-year goal.

The chair read a proclamation designating Nov. 8, 2025, as National Parents as Teachers Day in Elk County and commended the Dickinson Center for its work; the board approved the proclamation by voice vote. Commissioners applauded the center and encouraged residents to contact program staff with questions.

The proclamation and the Blue Ribbon designation signal county recognition of the Dickinson Center's family-support work; commissioners closed the item by inviting finalists for a separate America250PA mini-grant program to present at a special meeting next week.

The Dickinson Center contact information and program details were provided to commissioners at the meeting for follow-up.