The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh

The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh Dedicated to the well-being of young people and their families, and providing services for their unique needs.
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For nearly 125 years, the passionate team at The Children’s Institute has been dedicated to serving the complex needs of children, young adults, and families. Today, we open a world of possibilities with expert care unlike any other, including The Day School, behavioral & physical therapies, autism care, and child and family support services. At the Children's Institute of Pittsburgh, we treat every person with RESPECT, pursue QUALITY in all we do, take ACCOUNTABILITY for our impact, demonstrate COMMITMENT in every interaction, and achieve more together through COLLABORATION.

A powerful and purposeful day.The 2026 Board Retreat was more than a meeting — it was a meaningful investment in the fut...
03/02/2026

A powerful and purposeful day.

The 2026 Board Retreat was more than a meeting — it was a meaningful investment in the future of The Children’s Institute. From thoughtful presentations to energizing dialogue and future‑focused breakout sessions, every moment reflected intention, care, and a shared commitment to advancing our mission.

This impactful day did not happen by chance. It was the result of significant preparation and extraordinary teamwork. We are especially grateful for the leadership of our President & CEO, Johanna Vidal-Phelan MD, MBA, FAAP, CHIE, whose vision and dedication shaped the retreat from start to finish. In just a few months with our organization, she brought together the right people, the right conversations, and the right focus to ensure the day truly mattered.

A heartfelt thank‑you as well to our Senior Leadership Team and the many team members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes — pulling data, analyzing trends, compiling insights, preparing materials, and ensuring our Board had everything needed to ask thoughtful questions and make informed decisions. That level of preparation shows, and it made all the difference.

And deep appreciation to our Board Chair, Henry Stafford, for his steady leadership and thoughtful facilitation.

Together, we are building something extraordinary.

As part of last week's retreat, we spent time examining the broader industry landscape shaping healthcare, education, an...
02/27/2026

As part of last week's retreat, we spent time examining the broader industry landscape shaping healthcare, education, and community services. President and CEO Dr. Johanna Vidal-Phelan provided the Board with a thorough and insightful clinical update, grounded in her experience as a pediatrician. She highlighted the key trends impacting pediatric services in our region — from shifting care needs to access challenges, mental and behavioral health demands, and the evolving expectations of families.

We were also fortunate to have Billi Jo Huffman present an overview of the current educational landscape. Her perspective helped illuminate how changes in school environments, special education dynamics, and community partnerships influence the children, youth, and families we serve every day.

These discussions were critical in helping the Board understand not only where the field is today, but where it is heading — and how The Children’s Institute can continue to lead with clarity, purpose, and impact.

A trio of team members toured Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians - LAMP this week to explore how our two org...
02/26/2026

A trio of team members toured Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians - LAMP this week to explore how our two organizations can work collaboratively to serve people with disabilities.

Attendees included President & CEO Dr. Johanna Vidal-Phelan, COO Shawn Shuman, and Director of Clinical Transformation Nolan Cianci.

Families were at the heart of our Board Retreat even though they weren’t physically in the room. Through a heartfelt vid...
02/25/2026

Families were at the heart of our Board Retreat even though they weren’t physically in the room. Through a heartfelt video, their voices, stories, and experiences grounded every conversation and reminded us exactly why we do this work.

Hearing about the impact our programs have on children, families, and our community was both humbling and inspiring. Equally powerful was the vision shared by our employees; their commitment, innovation, and passion shape the future of our organization every single day.

The future is bright, and we are building it together.

Friday’s annual Board Retreat was held at Mill 19, a former steel mill turned research and robotics hub, and a powerful ...
02/24/2026

Friday’s annual Board Retreat was held at Mill 19, a former steel mill turned research and robotics hub, and a powerful symbol of Pittsburgh’s reinvention. The space served as a fitting backdrop for our conversations about growth and sustainability. 📈

Board members and team leaders were invited to tour the facility and see how the space was intentionally designed to spark collaboration and forward-thinking work. It’s a reminder that a strong future is built with purpose, not by accident. 🎯

Innovation builds on tradition, and that spirit will guide The Children’s Institute as we celebrate 125 years of service in 2027.

We’re sharing board retreat highlights all week so check back for more insights.

One Foundation: Driving Innovation, Building Our Future. 🧱 That was the theme of this year's annual retreat as our Board...
02/24/2026

One Foundation: Driving Innovation, Building Our Future. 🧱 That was the theme of this year's annual retreat as our Board of Directors gathered at Carnegie Mellon University Mill 19 to build what comes next.

The day was full in the best way: informative presentations from our senior leadership, energizing breakout conversations, shared learning, and honest dialogue about where our organization is headed. There was space to reflect on how far we’ve come while imagining what’s possible. 💫

As we approach 125 years of service, we’re honoring our legacy while asking bold questions, exploring new ideas, and ensuring we’re positioned to serve children and families for generations to come.

Stay tuned this week as we share insights and moments from the retreat that matter to our community.

It might look like play. 🫟It might sound like laughter. 😆But in those moments, strength is building, balance is improvin...
02/20/2026

It might look like play. 🫟
It might sound like laughter. 😆
But in those moments, strength is building, balance is improving, and confidence is growing. 🌟
That’s the power of pediatric Physical Therapy done right.

📍Available in Bridgeville, Norwin, and Squirrel Hill.

🧠Our brains grow to about 80% of adult size by age 3.Our Early Intervention team helps take advantage of that window, su...
02/18/2026

🧠Our brains grow to about 80% of adult size by age 3.

Our Early Intervention team helps take advantage of that window, supporting communication, movement, social skills, and emotional development before small concerns become bigger challenges.

Send us a message if you think your child could benefit from Early Intervention.

02/17/2026

Just us over here enjoying sharing life with the families we serve every day.

Team members Eric Patterson and Pat Quirk attended this year's NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania Youth Mental Health Conference...
02/11/2026

Team members Eric Patterson and Pat Quirk attended this year's NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania Youth Mental Health Conference, deepening their knowledge in support of the families we serve.

Sessions focused on topics like exploring songwriting in therapy, navigating the complexities of juvenile court, and supporting grief in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Our experts are always striving to stay ahead of emerging trends and critical topics in youth mental health. Ongoing learning isn't optional in this work; it's essential.

02/06/2026

And all the cereal is being donated to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank! 🫶 Happy 100th day, students! 💯

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1405 Shady Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
15217

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Monday 7am - 8pm
Tuesday 7am - 8pm
Wednesday 7am - 8pm
Thursday 7am - 8pm
Friday 7am - 6:30pm

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To Heal. To Teach. To Empower. To Amaze.

Established in 1902, The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh is an independent, nonprofit, licensed organization dedicated to promoting the well-being of children, young people and their families and to providing services that meet their special needs. The comprehensive approach of The Children’s Institute’s outpatient physical and behavioral health services, educational services, and child and family services sets the organization apart from others in western Pennsylvania.