Family Connections
Connecting with local families is important to Child Study Center faculty and students. We welcome family interest and participation in our research (FIRSt Families) and in our outreach program for children (Friendship Group).
The Friendship Group Project
The Child Study Center is home to the Friendship Group project, which was designed to provide opportunities for elementary school children in the community to develop and practice the skills needed to form satisfactory friendships. Friendship groups are facilitated by teams of advanced undergraduate students who are trained and supervised by Dr. Janet Welsh of the Prevention Research Center. Additional support and supervision is provided by graduate students in the child clinical psychology program at Penn State. The Friendship Group program is funded as part of the Department of Psychology's undergraduate training program, and is offered to families and children in the community.
Families Interested in Research Studies – FIRSt Families
The Families Interested In Research Studies (FIRSt) database has been established to connect Penn State researchers and families with infants and young children in central Pennsylvania who are interested in participating in research. Developed through collaborations between faculty from Human Development and Family Studies, Psychology, and other departments throughout the University, and funded in part by the Center for Youth and Families Consortium, the database is housed and administrated at the Child Study Center.
Services for Families in Central Pennsylvania
Information to connect families with local resources to help with parenting, getting help for kids, etc.
Centre County Government
Find answers to common requests for services and information
Centre County PA Office of Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention & Drug and Alcohol
(814) 355-6786
Also called The Base Service Unit; a referral agency
Children and Youth Services
(814) 355-6755
An agency that works to protect children and adolescents from abuse and neglect
Smart Start-Centre County
814-238-0331
A network group that leads and supports community efforts to improve the health, care, and education of young children
Youth Service Bureau, Centre County
(814) 355-1025
An agency that offers programs to promote the well-being of children and adolescents
