Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth & Family Services

PCCYFS is a membership association of private providers. Council members serve non-adjudicated, dependent and delinquent populations, including the families of these children and youth, and provide a broad range of residential, therapeutic and supportive services. Services range from prevention focused, in home services to foster and campus based residential and residential treatment services. Many members also have strong behavioral health and educational components incorporated into their array of services and supports. All strive to maintain high standards of practice. The diversity of our members has increased in recent years, as have the issues specific to the services provided and the complexity of the children and families served. Together we have accomplished a great deal - but much remains to be done, not just for individual agencies but also for the children, youth and families, who members serve and advocate for daily. We are committed to:

• advancing professional business practices

• achieving better outcomes for those served

• working together to meet our obligation of membership

• ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the work of the private provider community

• activities to educate ourselves about fiscal and programmatic issues

United in a consistent and strengthened voice, the Council promotes the efforts of the private provider community, ensuring that the needs of Pennsylvania's most vulnerable children, youth and families are not forgotten.

History of the Council: The Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth and Family Services (PCCYFS) was originally incorporated in 1976 as the PA Council of Voluntary Child Care Agencies (PCVCCA). A new name was adopted in 1986 which was deemed to be more reflective of practice and services - The Pennsylvania Council of Children's Services. During the past two years, significant efforts to incorporate a regional association, the Children, Youth and Family Council Education Consortium (CYFC), with PCCS as one stronger statewide organization have been in process. This reorganization officially occurred this year. A new name was adopted along with revised statements of purpose, ethics, strategic plan and scope of service and activities.

The Articles of Incorporation of the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth and Family Services (PCCYFS), as amended, reflect the original intent of the organization as a vehicle for communication and coordination among private providers on behalf of children, youth and families.
"The formation of the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth and Family Services reflects the recognition of the need to establish statewide communication among all private, nonprofit agencies providing services for the dependent, neglected, delinquent, emotionally-socially maladjusted, and other exceptional children through the participation of administrators, board members and individuals connected with the same."

The mission of the Council reflects the overarching goal of working "to enhance the ability of member agencies in the engagement of children, youth and families to improve the quality of their lives and our communities," as adopted by the Board of Directors.

This mission is accomplished though a variety of mechanisms including but not limited to educational programming, research related to service trends and outcomes, ongoing communication with the private provider community related to standards of practice, funding implications and service needs, advocacy efforts and general outreach and educational efforts to increase public awareness and support.