Strengthening Families. Preserving Connections. Creating Second Chances.
Since its conception, A Second Chance, Inc. (ASCI) has worked to strengthen and preserve healthy kinship families for children. Founded in 1994, ASCI was created from a vision to address the need for children to remain connected to family and for relatives to be recognized and supported as an important resource for children in care.
Today, ASCI is a nonprofit organization and a leader in kinship care, providing services that support children, youth, caregivers, and birth families throughout their child welfare journey. Our work is grounded in the belief that every child has a right to be safe and must thrive.
Whether a child is entering care, living with relatives, working toward reunification, or moving toward another form of permanency, ASCI works alongside families to provide the support, resources, and connections they need.
Our Story
1994 — A Vision Becomes an Organization
A Second Chance, Inc. began operations in July 1994 in a converted church rectory in North Braddock, Pennsylvania. The organization was founded by Dr. Sharon McDaniel, PhD, EdD, MPA, after she recognized significant gaps in the child welfare system, including the need for greater recruitment and support of families of color and the lack of recognition of relatives as an important placement resource for children.
1995 — Establishing Our Pittsburgh Home
In August 1995, ASCI moved to its current headquarters at 8350 Frankstown Avenue in Pittsburgh. What began with a small group of dedicated employees grew into an organization with more than 300 staff members.
2005 — Expanding to Philadelphia
In September 2005, ASCI opened its first regional office in Philadelphia and began collaborating with the Philadelphia Department of Human Services to develop and provide kinship care services for children, youth, and families involved in the Philadelphia child welfare system.
Today — A Statewide Impact
ASCI has grown from its Pittsburgh roots into a leading provider of kinship care services across Pennsylvania. The organization currently serves families in Allegheny County and has contracts serving additional Pennsylvania counties, while its Philadelphia operation provides a broad range of services in partnership with the Department of Human Services.
Since its founding, ASCI has provided services to more than 31,000 children and thousands of caregivers and birth parents.
Every Child’s Journey Is Different
There is no single path through the child welfare system. ASCI’s role is to meet children and families where they are and help them move toward safety, stability, connection, and permanency.
01 | A Child Enters Care
When a child cannot safely remain in their current home, ASCI may work with child welfare partners to identify relatives or other trusted adults who can provide care.
Our focus: Finding family and maintaining important connections.
02 | A Relative Steps Forward
A grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, or other trusted person may step forward to care for the child.
Our focus: Preparing, supporting, and strengthening the caregiver and the home.
03 | Families Receive Support
Children and caregivers may need help adjusting to a new living arrangement. Birth parents may also be working toward goals that could allow their child to return home.
Our focus: Supporting the child, caregiver, and birth family as part of the kinship triad.
04 | Working Toward Permanency
As circumstances change, families work with their support teams to determine what permanency should look like for the child.
Our focus: Helping families understand their options and move toward a safe and lasting plan.
05 | Beyond Permanency
ASCI recognizes that support does not necessarily end when a placement becomes permanent. Children, youth, and caregivers may continue to need resources and connections as they adjust and grow.
Our focus: Helping children and families thrive beyond the child welfare system.
Our Approach
Family Is More Than a Placement.
At ASCI, kinship care is about more than where a child lives. It is about who they know, where they come from, the relationships that matter to them, and the connections that help them understand who they are.
We work to preserve those connections whenever safely possible while supporting families through the challenges that can come with child welfare involvement.
Our approach is rooted in dignity, respect, honesty, cultural responsiveness, and family connection.