News & Events 

New Child Trends Research: A recent study by Child Trends in partnership with KABOOM! demonstrates that well-designed, inclusive playgrounds play a vital role in supporting children's social and emotional health. The research highlights how thoughtfully crafted play spaces encourage kids to develop essential skills—like cooperation, emotional regulation, turn-taking, and resilience—through rich, unstructured interactions. Across community parks, schoolyards, and childcare centers, intentional design can foster environments where every child thrives. To read their blog and learn more about how communities can implement these game‑changing designs, visit the link below.

This conference is an essential gathering for professionals supporting children and youth experiencing homelessness and those in foster care. This year's themes focus on capacity building, student-centered advocacy, educator and student well-being, foundational competencies, and strategies that promote connection, belonging, and empowerment. Designed for school district homeless liaisons, foster care points of contact, child welfare agency staff, shelter providers, early education professionals, K–12 educators, counselors, and others, the conference offers a collaborative space to strengthen programs and services across systems. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s ECYEH and Education Stability programs, in partnership with the Department of Human Services and the Center for Schools and Communities.

For the agenda, credentialing information, lodging, and more, visit the link below.

Mark your calendars! The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) Bureau of Alcohol Education Annual Conference is set for October 28, 2025, at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg-Hershey, Grantville, PA.

This free, in-person conference brings together prevention professionals, educators, law enforcement, and community leaders to explore evidence-informed strategies for reducing underage and dangerous drinking.

Stay tuned—registration opens soon!
 

This year's Pennsylvania Conference on Juvenile Justice will be held at the Hilton Harrisburg on November 5-7. The theme of the conference is '30 Years of Balanced and Restorative Justice: Through the Eyes of Youth and Families, Victims, and Juvenile Justice Professionals'. 

This conference is being offered to juvenile court judges, juvenile probation officers, service providers, and other juvenile justice system stakeholders.

For more information and to register, use the link provided below.