A Second Chance, Inc.
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Contact Information
8350 Frankstown Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15221
United States
Online Contact Form
Pittsburgh, PA 15221
United States
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| 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| 5 | |
| 4 | |
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| 1 |
Feb 12, 2021
Nice place for youth and families!
Jan 21, 2021
I have been dealing with this agency for a few months now. I have to say that I am not impressed with their lack of compassion for the struggles that families are going through. This may be just a "job" for staff but this is our everyday lives! I have to agree with some of the other reviews about ASCI being all about the money while giving mediocre services. I notice a high turnover with POC staff. No one ever seems to be on the same page. A staff member will tell you something and then someone else will tell you something completely different. I have viewed the disorganization of paperwork and the lack of communication. Sometimes calls, texts, and emails go unanswered for days. However, when staff wants to reach you... They certainly expect you to swiftly oblige! I have personally dealt with Identogo for fingerprinting. That ended up being a mess because they couldn't find my appointment but I had a confirmation number when I scheduled the appointment. I have dealt with POC staff. I have dealt with fiscal. They are all the same. They have this don't care, oh well, it is what it is, it's just the system attitude. Not much ever gets resolved until they need to contact you for something. When they need a visit, a signature, an update... That is when you will have their full support and attention.
Dec 11, 2020
Friendly place
Oct 28, 2020
Quick and friendly service.
Oct 27, 2020
Good family place. Emphasizes Family and great structuring.