New Parents as Teachers State Office Launches to Expand Access to Early Childhood Services
Families across North Carolina will now have greater access to strengthened early childhood support services as the Parents as Teachers state office transitions to new sponsorship under Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina (PCANC), effective March 30, 2026.
This transition will enhance the delivery of evidence-based home visiting services that help children get a strong start in life by supporting parents and caregivers during the critical early years, from pregnancy through kindergarten.
The North Carolina state office of Parents as Teachers, the largest evidence-based early childhood home visiting program in the U.S., plays a key role in ensuring families across the state can access high-quality, research-backed support. Through training, resources, and implementation guidance, the state office equips local programs to deliver services that improve child health, development, and school readiness.
“Parents as Teachers is a natural fit for our work at Positive Childhood Alliance NC,” said Sharon Hirsch, President and CEO of PCANC. “Our vision is that all children and families are living purposeful and happy lives with hope for the future, and Parents as Teachers makes it possible, building strong communities, thriving families and children who are safe, healthy, and learning. We’re thrilled to deepen our partnership and impact together.”
By integrating the state office within PCANC, a leading organization advancing child and family well-being, the transition builds on a strong foundation of early childhood expertise, advocacy, and professional development. This alignment will help ensure that more families—especially those who have been left behind—can access consistent, high-quality support.
“This transition means that as we continue to provide personal, hands-on support for our dedicated professionals across the state, we can stand on and grow from a foundation of strength and sustainability,” said Patti Learman, the leader of the North Carolina Parents as Teachers State Office. Learman has led the office part-time since 2018 and full-time since 2022. She supervises three national trainers, who educate home visiting staff in the evidence-based services they deliver to families.
As the North Carolina chapter for Prevent Child Abuse America, PCANC’s long history of public awareness, advocacy, and capacity building strengthens the work of Parents as Teachers across the state.
“Our organizations have worked together on state level projects for years, so we were familiar with the scope and caliber of the work,” Learman said. “After exploring how this merger could benefit both organizations, and more importantly the families we serve, we are so excited to see this finally come to fruition.”
The selection for state office sponsorship is based on the proposed organization’s demonstrated capacity and expertise in fulfilling the roles and responsibilities outlined for state offices, as defined by Parents as Teachers National Center’s State Office Essential Responsibilities.
About Parents as Teachers
Parents as Teachers builds strong communities, thriving families and children who are healthy, safe, and learning. We match parents and caregivers with trained professionals who make regular personal home visits during a child’s earliest years in life, from pregnancy through kindergarten. The internationally recognized evidence-based home visiting model is backed by over 40 years of research-proven outcomes for children and families. Parents as Teachers currently serves over 188,000 families annually in all 50 U.S. states, 138 Tribal organizations, and six other countries. Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc. is located in St. Louis, MO.
About Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina
Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina (PCANC) advances policies, programs, and practices that support well-being for all NC children and families. Founded in 1979 (as Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina), PCANC has demonstrated over 45 years of commitment to nurturing positive childhoods for all. Through data-driven coaching, professional development, advocacy efforts, and building public understanding, PCANC works alongside partners to build and share solutions that strengthen all families. Together with state and local partners, PCANC is helping create a state where families live in connected, supportive communities and as a result, all North Carolina children will live purposeful lives, filled with positive experiences and hope for the future. PCANC serves as the North Carolina chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and as the state office for Circle of Parents, Parents as Teachers, and the North Carolina Family Resource Center Network. PCANC is also a proud recipient of Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating and GuideStar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency. For more information, contact Kris Demers-O’Brien, Director of Communications and Marketing, at kdemers@positivechildhoodalliancenc.org, or (919) 829-8009.