Keystone Children and Family Services - Comprehensive community based services for children and families living in Central Pennsylvania.

Keystone Children & Family Services

The Keystone Children & Family Services agency is an integrated delivery system for the services geared toward children and families. Striving to incorporate the concerns of the home, family, school and community from an innovative, multi-dimensional and holistic perspective, KC&FS provides a variety of supports to help children succeed in these realms.

A selection of Keystone Human Services’ acclaimed individual agencies merged to form KC&FS in 1997. The collaborative organization helps to strengthen children and families in their own communities as they strive to achieve immediate and long-term success. Children and families who are facing the challenges of behavioral disorder, mental illness, physical disability, autism or mental retardation, or those who are living in poverty can take advantage of the following Keystone Children & Family Services programs: Capital Area Head Start, Early Intervention Programs, Inc., Family Support Associates, Tri-County Society for Children and Adults, Inc. and Susquehanna Service Dogs.

A Word from the Chief Executive Officer

Patricia Sipe,
Chief Executive Officer

I am proud to say that Keystone Children & Family Services is built on a foundation of teamwork. The team spirit, dedication, and energy of our staff have made us a stronger, more solid agency this year – a year that has been characterized by many successes.

We recently held our 27th Annual Keystone Golf Tournament at the Carlisle Country Club, which would not have been the success it was without the tireless help of our volunteers, the countless hours spent by the Keystone Partnership, and the support of the Strickler Agency and Charles French. Our services have grown and expanded and will continue to provide quality services for children and families, and Capital Area Head Start celebrated its 20th anniversary. Susquehanna Service Dogs worked hard to organize Black Tie & Tails and PawsAbilities and participated in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community – events that were enjoyed by all who took part.

This dedication to our mission, loyalty, commitment to quality and compliance, and focus on service excellence will ensure our future success. With such a strong team spirit infusing our work, I anticipate continued growth, success and a very bright future for KC&FS.

Patricia Sipe, CEO

Archive of past messages

Service Spotlight

Family Preservation and Reunification Services

Family Preservation and Reunification Services is committed to keeping families together. Based on the idea that a child's biological family can best address the child's needs, these programs aim to assist families to create a safe, healthy and permanent environment for their children. Although the goal of these programs is the safety and well being of children, the entire family is supported. Family Preservation is an intensive, in-home, four to six week program that focuses on families in crisis. Family Reunification is an in-home, three to five month program designed to reunite children and families who have been living in separate locations and to stabilize adoptive families who may be at risk of disruption. Through assessments, counseling, education, skill-building, advocacy, networking, transportation and concrete services, Family Preservation and Reunification aims to strengthen families and provide them with support so they can remain together.

Recently, Family Preservation supported a family to stay together after the parents divorced and the mother was incarcerated. The children, who had been living with their mother, went to live with their father, and through the support of Family Preservation, have been able to continue to live together as a family.

Industry Highlights

Children and Youth Community Service Award

Congratulations to Larry Stewart, the recipient of the Children and Youth Community Service Award! Larry, who works in the Family Preservation and Reunification program at KC&FS, was chosen to receive this award for his outstanding work with children and families. Dauphin County Children and Youth presents this award annually. We're proud to have Larry as a member of our KC&FS family.

27th Annual Keystone Golf Tournament

We held our 27th Annual Keystone Golf Tournament on June 15 at the Carlisle Country Club, and what a great day it was! Over 75 golfers joined us for a beautiful afternoon on the greens. In addition to playing a regular round of golf, golfers could participate in contests at certain holes, such as the Hole-in-One contest, the Putting contest, Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, Straightest Drive and 50/50 Putt. Thank you to the Strickler Agency, Inc. and Charlie French, Verizon Wireless, AIA Benefits Resource Group, and Caldwell and Kearns, and to all of our other sponsors for supporting KC&FS and making the Golf Tournament possible.

Act 62 – The PA Autism Insurance Law

Pennsylvania passed Act 62, the PA Autism Insurance Law, which requires many private insurers to cover the costs of diagnostic assessments and services for individuals under age 21 with Autism Spectrum Disorders, up to $36,000 a year. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare must cover the cost of services for individuals whose costs exceed $36,000 in one year and those who are enrolled in the Medical Assistance program and do not have private insurance. The law went into effect on July 1, 2009 and covers diagnostic assessments, pharmacy care, psychiatric care, psychological care, rehabilitative care and therapeutic care for all Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnoses. The Autism Insurance Law will give families of children with autism needed access to services and supports. We are excited to move forward with this new law in support of families with children with autism. Visit www.PAAutismInsurance.org for more information about Act 62 and to see if your family qualifies for coverage. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact us at 717-541-9620.