Parent & Family Support
The Education and Health sections of this online directory contain information about other service providers that assist parents and families.
INFANT & TODDLER SERVICES AND MOMS’ GROUPS
Infant Toddler Program
This Region Ten program provides early intervention support and services to infants and toddlers from birth through age three who are not developing as expected or who have a medical condition that can delay normal development. Early intervention supports and services focus on increasing the child’s participation in family and community activities that are important to the family. In addition, supports and services focus on helping parents and other caregivers know how to find ways to help their child learn during everyday activities. Danielle Fuentes Johnson works with the Latino caseload. Danielle can be reached at daniellj@regionten.com
Infant Development Project
This Arc of the Piedmont early intervention program serves families with infants ages birth through three with disabilities, developmental delays, or who are at risk of developing delays. It offers developmental assessments, cognitive skills building, speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy for infants. Maria Williams provides services to the Latino community. Contact her at elbambutercero@hotmail.com or 434/882-4514.
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
Latina Mom’s Class: Southwood
Class for Latina moms who reside in Southwood and have a child who is not yet enrolled in school. Focus is on English for everyday life skills as well as teaching the moms how to take an active role in their child’s education. Childcare includes enrichment activities for the children and child/parent participation in bi-lingual songs, stories, and early literacy skills. Classes held at Southwood Office on Mondays from 10:00am to 12:15pm. For more information, contact Laura Brown, Albemarle County Public Schools, at lbrown2@k12albemarle.org.
Literacy & English Playgroups In Southwood
Children, Youth and Families Services (CYFS) started no-cost literacy and playgroup programs in Southwood in January 2008. During the 2010-11 school year, CYFS will be operating two programs at the Southwood Community Center. The Wednesday bilingual group and Friday English group runs from 10:00 to noon, and each month focuses on a specific area of child development and early literacy program with support from IDP, Bright Stars, CHIP, and Healthy Families at CYFS. For a Spanish language flyer to advertise the program click here. For more information, contact Hilary Nagel at hnagel@cyfs.org or (434) 296-4118 ex 238. CYFS’ website is http://www.cyfs.org
Region Ten’s Strengthening Families Program
This family-focused prevention program providing support for families with young children or teens lasts 14 weeks and has three components: a behavioral parent training program, a children’s skills training program, and family skills training program. Primary outcomes include reduced family conflict, aggressiveness and substance abuse, as well as improved youth social skills, parenting skills, and family communication and organization. The program is free of charge to participants. Childcare and transporation is also offered free of charge to those in need. The Spring 2012 program will be focused on 6-11 or 10-14 year olds. For more information call (434) 972-1881.
PROGRAMS NOT OPERATING AT THIS TIME
Latina Mom’s Group: Hydraulic
The Hydraulic Latina Mom’s Group taught mothers parenting skills and English, and advised them of community resources, while their children were being entertained. The project, which operated during the school year from 2007 – 2010, was made possible by the collaboration of multiple service providers: ACDSS Bright Stars (Ilene Railton & Sue Tansey), the ARC’s Infant Toddler Services(Maria Williams), Albemarle County School’s ESOL program (Laura Brown and Paula Mehring), and the Word of Faith church which provided infrastructure in a neighborhood populated by Latinos. For more information, contact Paula Mehring (ACPS) at pmehring@nexet.net