CAC Awarded $150K Grant to Expand Parenting Program

July 23, 2026 - 19:41

The Children's Advocacy Center of Erie County has secured a three-year, $150,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Children's Trust Fund. The money will be used to expand a parenting program designed to prevent child abuse and strengthen families.

The grant provides $50,000 each year for three years. It will help the center grow its ACT Raising Safe Kids program across Erie County.

Michael Gaines, the executive director of the Children's Advocacy Center, expressed gratitude for the funding. "It is always an amazing and wonderful thing when we get funding from any source because, without funding, we can't function," he said. "If we're going to make a difference, especially if we are going to bring a new program that isn't here that will somehow or another hopefully help our families, the families of Erie County, we have to have funds."

The ACT Raising Safe Kids program was developed by the American Psychological Association. It serves parents and caregivers of children from birth to age 10. The nine-week course covers positive parenting strategies, child development, managing behavior, and creating safe, healthy family environments. The goal is to prevent child maltreatment.

With the new funding, the center can offer classes at more locations throughout Erie County. It will also build new partnerships with community organizations to make the program more accessible to families.

Jennie Hagerty, a board member of the Pennsylvania Children's Trust Fund, said the investment will have a lasting impact. "It's critical for the families that they serve, for the children that they serve," said Hagerty. "They are very passionate about the work they do here. So knowing that this grant will continue to foster and cultivate and make amazing things happen for families in Erie County, again it's a blessing."

Through the grant, the center also plans to increase outreach to underserved neighborhoods, provide incentives to encourage caregiver participation, strengthen partnerships with schools and early childhood providers, and support broader child abuse prevention efforts in Erie County.