Caregiving

General:

• PA Provider Search: This database provides users the opportunity to search for child care providers by zip code. A list of providers along with information about address, website, contact information, hours of operation, age groups, cost, subsidies accepted, meals provided, transportation, and discounts are included.
• A Guide to Choosing Quality Child Care in PA: This guide can be used to access information about (1) where to start your search, (2) what to look for when you visit a facility, (3) questions to ask while you visit, and (4) how to access a list of child care facilities in PA.

Philadelphia Centers:

• Philadelphia Free PreK: This site offers information about Philadelphia child care facilities who participate in the Philly PreK program, which provides free pre-school to residents of Philadelphia.
• Philadelphia Child Care Information: Additional information about child care centers in Philadelphia.

West Chester Centers:

• Child Care Centers in West Chester: This is not an inclusive list of child care centers and I am unsure of any partnerships between the college and these organizations, but this might be a starting point to explore specific centers in West Chester, PA. My hope is later in the semester we will have a more inclusive list of these resources.

• PA Help Paying for Child Care: A Screen for Benefits: This is a PA site where you can input your information to see if you qualify for assistance such as: (1) Health Care Coverage, (2) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, (3) Free or Reduced Price School Meals, (4) Cash Assistance, (5) Child Care Works, and (6) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
• PA Child Care Works Program: This is a PA site where you can learn more about child care subsidy programs.
• Cap4Kids.org: This resource provides additional Information about Chester County's Child Care Information Services. They can answer questions about receiving subsidies for child care.

• WCU Scholarships: These are scholarships available to students with a variety of backgrounds, majors, and interests.
  • Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship for Mature Students

    • The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation was created in 1979 at the bequest of Mrs. Newcombe. Mrs. Newcombe greatly valued higher education during her lifetime. In her will, she established the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation to continue her scholarship gifts. Her legacy continues until today. The Foundation provides scholarship funds to select colleges and universities for mature/second career students to complete their education and prepare for careers. As a result of this generous funding, WCU is able to award 20-30 Newcombe Scholarships per year.

    • Eligibility:
      • 25 years old or more by the time of award
      • Undergraduate degree candidate completing 60+ credits by by the time of award
      • Enroll in 9 or more credits per semester at West Chester University during the award academic year
      • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 31. International students must complete a paper version of the FAFSA, available in the Financial Aid Office.

    • Application Process: The online application for the Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship Application is available in February; Applications are due in early April; Award recipients are notified by late May

  • Alice Conway Memorial Scholarship

    • The Alice E. Conway Memorial Scholarship was established in July 2006 to honor the memory of a beloved member of the West Chester University staff. Alice served the University with distinction for many years, and always provided great comfort, support, and valuable assistance to faculty, staff, and students. She was a member of the Division of Academic Affairs staff for close to two decades before joining the Division of Student Affairs in 1999, where she oversaw the administrative operations of the Counseling Center. Her humor, genuineness, warmth, and care for others were valued traits, and she brought welcomed relief to the many students who passed through the Counseling Center. The University honored Alice in 2003 with the Civility Award in recognition of her untiring dedication to others. After her untimely death, her family, friends, and colleagues created a scholarship in her name to memorialize and honor her "mothering" presence to so many at the University.

    • Amount: $500

    • Eligibility: A student who is a parent, guardian, or part of a custodial relationship with a child or children who are under the age of 18

    • Application Process: This award uses the same online application as the Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship and follows the same timeline for submission deadlines and notifications

  • Jane Swan Scholarship

    • The Jane Swan Scholarship is given each year to a student who demonstrates superior academic achievement and steadfast dedication to improving the lives of women. Jane Swan was the Director of the Women's Center from 1977-1981. Her hard work secured a central location, budget, and graduate student support. In 1979, Jane Swan was instrumental to starting drop-in childcare at the Women's Center to support parenting students. She was especially committed to supporting non-traditional women students at WCU.

    • Amount: $500

    • Eligibility: A non-traditional woman in her third or fourth year at the University

    • Application Process: This award uses the same online application as the Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship and follows the same timeline for submission deadlines and notifications

• Twardowski Career Development Center: This is the department to learn more about on- and off-campus jobs and internships.
  • All current WCU students have an account in Handshake; log in using your WCU Network ID (e.g., AB654321@wcupa.edu) and password.

On-Campus

• Resource Pantry on Campus: The WCU Resource Pantry supports student success by minimizing food and basic need security and preparing students for life after graduation.
  • The Resource Pantry is open to ALL undergraduate and graduate students at West Chester University, regardless of need level. No appointment necessary, walk-in’s are welcome at any time during our hours of operation.
  • The Pantry offers non-perishable food, fresh produce from the campus gardens, personal care items, school supplies, and winter and career clothing.

Off-Campus

• City of Philadelphia Food Distribution Sites (includes Food Sites, Student Meal Sites, and Senior Meal Sites), Philadelphia, PA
• West Chester Food Cupboard, West Chester, PA
• St. Agnes Day Room, West Chester, PA
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Provides access to food for children in PA.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): This program helps Pennsylvanians buy food. People in eligible low-income households can obtain more nutritious diets with SNAP increasing their food purchasing power at grocery stores and supermarkets. Visit this link to learn more about eligibility, how to apply to SNAP, and FAQs about the program.
• Community Food Pantry: Utilize this link to search for a food pantry near your location. This link provides location, contact information, and distance from your location.
• Food Security Resources: Utilize this link to learn more about federal programs, national organizations, and Pennsylvania organizations.

On-Campus Resources:

• Lactation Centers on Campus

Off-Campus Resources

• La Leche League in Chester County
• La Leche League International
• Transgender and Non-binary Resources provided by La Leche League International
• National Breastfeeding Hotline: 1-800-994-9662

On-Campus Resources:

• Counseling Services: “Personal Counseling consists of a one-to-one counseling experience where the focus is upon: (1) resolving personal conflicts, (2) resolving conflicts with others, and (3) improving your expertise at making personally meaningful choices.
• Group Therapy Services: The therapy groups include (1) navigating relationship group, (2) women’s group, (3) RAM support group, (4) grief group, and (5) stress-less: what to do when life is a mess group.

Off-Campus Resources:

• Black Men Heal: "King's Corner: A Virtual Safe Space Meet Up for Men": King's Corner is a virtual safe meetup for men held every Sunday evening via Zoom. Register for this group by visiting blackmenheal.org.
• Therapy for Black Girls: Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
• Therapy for Black Men: TherapyforBlackMen.org's mission is to break the stigma that asking for help is a sign of weakness. With a rapidly growing directory of 134 therapists and 27 coaches throughout the fifty states thus far, this organization provides judgment-free, multiculturally-competent care to Black men.
• Ok2Talk.org: This website is sponsored by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). “OK2TALK is a community where teens and young adults struggling with mental health conditions can find a safe place to talk about what they’re experiencing by sharing their personal stories of recovery, tragedy, struggle or hope.” Visitors to this site can also find resources, support services, and a phone number to talk to someone (1-800-273-8255).

CHIP: CHIP is an insurance program especially for children and is solely dependent upon your current income

On Campus

• West Chester University's Speech and Hearing Clinic: The Clinic offers free, full diagnostic evaluations for children and adults suspected of having speech, language, or hearing disorders. Treatment is offered in both individual and group settings and bilingual Spanish-English evaluations and treatment are available.

Educational Resources

• Anti-Racism Resources for Parents and Kids: Provides Books, Social Media, Podcasts, Resources, Film, TV, and Videos
• Teaching Kids Consent
• Racial Trauma and Ways to Cope
• There’s Now a Fun Way to Teach Your Kids Their LGBTs

Podcasts

• Talking Race with Young Children produced by NPR
• Raising White Kids with Dr. Jennifer Harvey
• EmbraceRace Webinars: Anti-Racist Parenting and Multiracial Children