PIN's History

Parents Involved Network of Pennsylvania (PIN), as a project of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania (MHASP), began in 1984 when its director, Glenda Fine, was hired to run support groups for families of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. Previously, Fine had worked with Parents Union for Public Schools as an advocate for children in special education programs in the Philadelphia School System.

PIN began producing a bi-monthly newsletter for parents and professionals and hired a staff person who traveled outside Philadelphia to meet with families around Pennsylvania. As a result of our outreach, more and more parents of children with emotional and behavioral problems began finding their way to PIN.

Today, PIN's main office remains in Philadelphia. We have offices in Berks, Chester, Delaware, Monroe, Montgomery and Warren counties, and we are in touch with many other agencies and child support services throughout the state. Please refer to Contact a PIN Office. In addition:

• our newsletter, Sharing, is mailed to more than 18,000 parents and professionals throughout Pennsylvania;
• our 800 number is used frequently by parents and professionals seeking help and information;
• we hold numerous workshops and conferences for families and professionals both in Philadelphia and throughout the state; and
• we are increasingly involved in working to educate legislators and other policy makers about the needs of children with emotional and behavioral disorders and their families.

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Parents Involved Network (PIN), a project of
Mental Health Association of SE PA
1211 Chestnut Street, 11th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-751-1800 or 800-688-4226
Email: about@pinofpa.org