Over the past 40 years the structure of the American society has experienced profound change that pervades every aspect of life. These dramatic economic, social, and demographic changes have especially impacted the family.

Families are fundamental to the lifeblood and strength of our country and world. They are the nurturer, caregivers, role models, teachers, counselors, and instill values into their members. The family is the central core from which we prepare our children to assume the positions of leadership for the future.

Adults and children have both struggled to maintain and foster positive growth. Families struggling against enormous odds have continued to search for new ways to strengthen the basic unit - the family.

Healthy child development requires strong, nurturing, supportive families and every level of our society is affected when families fail to serve as the source of support and guidance they need to be to their children.

Society in general lends little support or educational assistance to parents. Often countervailing forces complicate the task of parents, leading many times to unfavorable consequences and family breakup.

Parents are faced with difficulties, often extreme, as they attempt to exercise their responsibilities, within the context of their culture, as the primary socializing agent of children and youth. The difficulties are especially severe for children living in poverty or near poverty situations.

Child care needs have increased tremendously over the past decade. Parents cannot work productively unless they have care for their young children when and where they need it. Researchers say that access to affordable, high-quality child care is critical to success on the job. Studies have indicated that far too much child care is below minimum quality levels. The training of child care providers remains one of the nation's most critical needs.

The aging of our society characterizes Pennsylvania. While the young adult population is projected to decrease over the next 20 years (by 10%), the elderly and the total population will grow by approximately 8 percent.

Grandparents as primary caregivers of children (up 40% in 10 years) face emotional burdens, unexpected expenses; and battle both service and legal systems that do not support the roles grandparents play as their families adjust to crises. An estimated 25 percent of households are providing personal care to impaired adults or elders.

Children and youth, especially those living in high-risk situations and in stress-filled families need nurturing to reach their full potential. Parents sometimes are not aware of the needs of children and youth, or are unaware of the effect their behavior has on children and youth.

Due to a complicated set of circumstances many children and youth do not live in an environment that fosters the forces that enable children and youth to be motivated. Aspirations are low and goals are almost nonexistent. Lethargic and aimless lives develop during the early years of existence leading to unproductive adults and a myriad of health and economic problems in adulthood.

The complexities of today's society, with the forces that hinder maximizing the role of parents, also work against children and youth who are the most vulnerable members of society. Seldom do agencies and institutions advocate for the children and youth, unless they are in severe situations. Parents are in a position and have the responsibility to not only provide care and guidance within the home environment but also in relationship to the larger community.

SUB POW: 5.A.1. Child Care Issues

Objective: 5.A.1.1. To increase the quality, affordability, accessibility, availability of child care programs.

1. Number of participants.
2. Number of participants completing the evaluation tool who have increased knowledge, skills, and abilities.

SUB POW: 5.A.2. Parenting Education

Objective: 5.A.2.1. Empower and strengthen the capacity of families to nurture, support, and guide children to becoming caring, competent, and healthy individuals.

1. Number of participants.
2. Number of parents completing the evaluation who have increased their ability to understand the ages and stages of child development.

SUB POW: 5.A.3. Aging Issues

Objective: 5.A.3.1. Improve the quality of care provided by family caregivers to disabled and elderly family members, through increased information, increased efficiency in using available resources, and increased social support at family and community levels.

Objective: 5.A.3.2. Increase the effectiveness of grandparents (and other relatives) serving formally or informally as primary care givers of children whose parents are unable to adequately care for them.

SUB POW: 5.A.4. Family Structures (blended families, single-parent households, multiple generation)

Objective: 5.A.4.1. To strengthen the capacity of families in various family structures to nurture, support, and guide their members throughout their lives.

1. Number of participants.
2. Number of family members who have increased their knowledge and ability to manage multiple generation relationships.

SUB POW: 5.A.5. Family/Youth Resiliency

School and family interactions; violence prevention; communication skills.

Objective: 5.A.5.1. Strengthen the capacity of families and communities to be partners in building strong families and caring, safe, productive communities.

1. Number of participants.
2. Number of increased interagency collaborations at all levels that have ensured and improved outreach to families, especially to higher risk families.