Pennsylvania
Child Welfare Agencies

The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Agency (also called the Department of Human Services, Department of Human Resources, Department of Children and Families, or Department of Public Welfare) can help you with issues of pregnancy, parenting, foster care, and adoption. The professionals in these offices can be very helpful to a birth mother or birth father. This site lists the State Child Welfare website for every state and provides you with a link to their website.

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Harrisburg, PA

HelpLine for general information about Pennsylvania’s public assistance programs - Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance/Medicaid, Food Stamps, LIHEAP, etc.)
1-800-692-7462
1-800-451-5886 (TDD)

Child Care Works Helpline
(For information about local child care resources, child care providers and the state child care subsidy program)
1-877-4-PA-KIDS

ChildLine (State Child Abuse Registry)
(To report suspected child abuse or request Child Abuse History Clearance Form)
1-800-932-0313

Children’s Health Helpline
(For information about free or low-cost health coverage)
1-800-986-KIDS

Child Support
Bureau of State Child Support Enforcement
(For information about the child support process in Pennsylvania)
1-800-932-0211

Pennsylvania child nutrition programs include free and low-cost food, nutrition information, and preschool and school nutrition programs.

Pennsylvania Food Banks distribute free food to those in need.

Pennsylvania Food Stamp Program helps persons with low-incomes to obtain food.

Pennsylvania WIC provides free food, nutrition counseling, and referrals at no charge.

Pennsylvania Department of Education can provide you with information about school nutrition and pregnancy programs.

Pennsylvania Department of Health can provide nutrition information and help as well as help with pregnancy and post-pregnancy concerns.

Pennsylvania Medicaid can help you with answers about free services offered to you and your child.

Please visit our home page to read about our commitment to assist you and other pregnant women and birth mothers free of charge regardless of whether you place a child for adoption or intend on raising your child yourself. One the ways we can help you is to help you find the information you need when you need it.  With that in mind please click the following link to see our complete list of government assistance programs.