A Second Chance, Inc.

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Contact Information

8350 Frankstown Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15221
United States

Online Contact Form
DayHours
Monday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Thursday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

A Second Chance, Inc. (ASCI), is a nonprofit corporation established in 1994. Its mission is to provide a safe, secure and nurturing environment to children in the care of relatives or close family friends—formally called kinship care. ASCI is the largest provider of kinship support services to all of Allegheny County, Pa., where it is also headquartered. ASCI also has contracts in Westmoreland, Fayette, Mercer and Washington counties and a large office in Philadelphia County—where it provides a full range of services to families, youth, and children in cooperation with the Department of Human Services (DHS), which considers ASCI the provider of choice for kinship-related services—serving three additional contiguous counties.

ASCI is the largest foster care provider to the Allegheny County Department of Human Services’ Office of Children, Youth, and Families (CYF). In conjunction with the courts, CYF determines the appropriate placements for neglected, abused, or abandoned children before referring these families to ASCI to stabilize the placements, license the homes according to Department of Public Welfare (DPW) requirements and ASCI’s Gold Standard 60-day certification family approval process, provide crucial support services and ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of the children in care.
A Second Chance, Inc., is the national leader in kinship care, which is family caring for family—a natural, out-of-home placement option for children.


Services and information

  • Traditional Foster Care
  • Emergency Foster Care
  • Respite Foster Care
  • Other

Requirements to become a foster parent

You must meet minimum requirements to provide foster care in Pennsylvania. Foster parents for children in need must:

  • Be a minimum of 21 years old
  • Pass a criminal background check with fingerprinting
  • Have time and energy to devote to fostering
  • Live in a safe and healthy environment
  • Prove good health through a medical examination/physical
  • Maintain financial stability
  • Clear all home safety requirements
  • Complete required pre-service training hours
  • Finish the Home Inspection

After fulfilling all requirements during the approval process, licensed foster parents can welcome a foster child into their home. To maintain a valid license, foster parents must also participate in ongoing training each year.

All adults who are living in homes with foster children in Pennsylvania must pass a required criminal background check and fingerprinting. This includes adult children who are family members living at home.

There are other, more detailed requirements for foster homes, such as having a flushing toilet and an operable phone. Prospective foster parents will learn more details during foster parent orientation.

Once you've decided to foster, you can contact a public or private foster agency or the Pennsylvania State Resource Family Association. Foster agencies screen and train prospective foster families and ensure applicants are good candidates for foster care.


Ratings and Reviews

Average user rating

4.0 / 5
Rating breakdown
5
4
3
2
1
If you have an experience with this agency, please write a review.
Shaneka Clark
Sep 07, 2023

It was a easy class long but okay

Rating: 5

BurghMan
Jan 11, 2023

these people are con artists and thieves.

Rating: 1

Vanessa Virgona
Mar 28, 2022

My grandchildren are involved in a program called "Yes" program. They love the counselors and they like chatting with other children.

Rating: 5

lamont ward
Oct 11, 2021

we are suspious of fradulant activity. They were given from United Way. We filled out information for help from United Way and they got our file. They told us they would help us and they don't even know our names. We had shut off notices for utilities and we were told they would be paid a month ago. No one seems to know what is going on. We were told we never sent the bill however we sent it with every email. We were told over two weeks ago a check was sent and then we were told we would get an email. We were given wrong email addresses, people on the phone are rude. Only thing they did was mail us an application for public housing because we were told it was "too big" to email, however they could of just sent us the link and saved 2 weeks of time and $4 in postage. A guy at my church also used the United Way form and he recieved assitance within a week. Phone calls and emails go unanswered. I think we should contact United Way or the Attorney General because this place is a big scam

Rating: 1

Jessica Miller
Jul 15, 2021

Too many fraudulent activities behind the scenes DT

Rating: 1