Endorsed Sites Demonstrate High-Quality Implementation of Evidence-Based Home Visiting [TUCKER/RANDOLPH/BARBOUR COUNTIES, WV], [December 15, 2023] – Allegheny Highlands PAT has earned a prestigious endorsement from Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc., (PATNC) as a Blue Ribbon Affiliate, making it one of the top-performing home visiting affiliates within Parents as Teachers’ international network. The official designation was made in October 2023.
Being named a Blue Ribbon Affiliate affirms that Allegheny Highlands PAT is a high-quality member of the home visiting field, implementing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model with fidelity. Families in the Tucker/Randolph/Barbour County area are positively impacted by the services delivered by this program.
The program includes home visits, group connections, child screening, and connections to community resources. It equips parents with knowledge and resources to prepare their children for a stronger start in life and greater success in school.
“To earn the Blue Ribbon Endorsement, we underwent a rigorous self-study and review process from the National Center. The process confirms that we are meeting Parents as Teachers’ standards of fidelity and quality,” said Angie Davis, program director of Allegheny Highlands PAT. “Blue Ribbon Affiliates are exemplary programs, delivering the highest quality services to children and families.”
Implementation with quality and fidelity is vital in home-visiting programs as it determines a program’s effectiveness in accomplishing its original goals and intended outcomes. It also verifies that a program is being implemented as designed. Parents as Teachers’ rigorous endorsement process demonstrates an affiliate’s accountability and credibility to the community, its funders, elected officials, and the partner organizations with which they work. “Our program takes pride in obtaining blue ribbon status and it gives our collaborative partners confidence in the quality of services and support that we provide to local families.”
Tucker County PAT was first established in 2009 under the umbrella of Tucker County Family Resource Network with funding from Bureau of Families and Children (BCF). In 2015, the program expanded into Randolph County and into Barbour County with funding from federal grants called Maternal, Infant, Early Childhood Home Visitation (MIECHV) the following year changing the name to Allegheny Highlands PAT to reflect the region. The program serves families with pregnant mothers and children birth through kindergarten. There are no income guidelines. You may contact Tucker County Family Resource Network at (304)478-3827 to inquire about enrolling in any of the three counties or find us on Facebook under each county (Tucker County Parents as Teachers, Randolph County Parents as Teachers, or Barbour County Parents as Teachers)
Parents as Teachers (PAT) builds strong communities, thriving families, and children that are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. The internationally-recognized evidence-based home visiting model is backed by more than 35 years of research-proven outcomes for children and families. Parents As Teachers National Center, Inc., is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Parents as Teachers affiliates operate in various settings, including health departments, hospitals, and schools, faith-based and non-profit organizations. For more information, visit parentsasteachers.org or Twitter @NatlPAT.