PITTSBURGH, PA – The merger of Pressley Ridge, an international organization serving children and families, and Family & Children Services (F&CS) of Central Pennsylvania, a regional provider of similar services, is completed.

“This merger strengthens and expands our ability to meet the changing needs of the children, families and communities we serve,” said B. Scott Finnell, Ph.D., LCSW, president and CEO of Pressley Ridge. “It positions us well to provide cost-effective, quality services in an era of increasing competition.”

Pressley Ridge, known as a leader in measuring and achieving results, now serves more than 3,500 children and families each day; has an operating budget of more than $70 million; and employs more than 1,200 people. The organization provides residential treatment, education, treatment foster care and community-based services, including adoption and outpatient counseling, in six states (Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia) and the District of Columbia, as well as Portugal and Hungary.

Pressley Ridge is already taking steps to expand the programs and services the organization provides in central Pennsylvania. “We are talking with Dauphin, Lancaster and York counties about the need for a program that operates as an alternative to institutionalizing seriously emotionally disturbed children.” Finnell said. “Our research has found that many of these children can be successfully served in a highly structured treatment foster care home.”

Finnell also pointed out that Pressley Ridge’s growth in the coming months will expand beyond central Pennsylvania. “We plan to use the expertise gained from this merger as a catalyst to continue to ensure quality services are provided in all communities. We view this merger as just the beginning of many good things for our organization and our clients.”