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AIU Family Centers Earn Blue Ribbon Status
AIU Family Centers Earn Blue Ribbon Status
By Dan Rinkus
The AIU’s Family Centers are dedicated to the development and success of families across Allegheny County. What better endorsement of that mission than an award from one of the family centers’ key partners: Parents as Teachers.
Nine AIU Family Centers and the AIU’s Family and Immigrant Connections Program achieved Blue Ribbon status through Parents as Teachers in October 2023. It is an honor that demonstrates just how critical these centers and their staff members are to their communities.
“I’m delighted that the Parents as Teachers National Center has recognized the AIU’s Family Centers and their exemplary commitment to our communities,” said Lori Vollman, program director of the AIU’s Family and Community Education Services, which oversees the family centers. “I am extremely proud of our family center staff and the work they do every day to support families.” Parents as Teachers is a renowned childhood development organization that gives parents the tools and training to help children grow. To earn Blue Ribbon status, the AIU’s Family Centers met all of the essential requirements through the Parents as Teachers curriculum and scored at least 80% in the quality standards set by the curriculum.
“This Blue Ribbon endorsement from Parents as Teachers benefits us in so many ways,” said Wendy Smith, director of the AIU’s Early Childhood, Family and Community Services. “It provides assurance to our current and potential funders and partners that our family centers are a wise investment. Plus, we are being recognized — nationally and internationally — as a high achievement member in the field of early childhood learning and parent engagement.”
The AIU’s Family Centers will be recognized for their Blue Ribbon status at the 2024 Parents as Teachers International Conference in San Diego, California, from October 14-17.
The following AIU Family Centers are now Blue Ribbon-certified through September 2028:
Clairton
Duquesne
East Allegheny
Family and Immigrant Connections
Highlands
Lincoln Park
McKeesport
Steel Valley
Sto-Rox
Wilkinsburg
