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Newborn Visitation/Colorado Bright Beginnings
Home visits are made to positively influence the quality of
life for newborns and their families in the Arkansas Valley. Nurses from Otero County Health Department and Bent County
Nursing Service provide health screening followed by a home visitor from our office providing developmental materials and
education. As a satellite of Bright Beginnings through Catholic Charities (Pueblo), they provide us with literacy and
brain development materials, along with other educational resources. These programs ensure that we provide parent education
to improve parenting skills, help parents to make informed health decisions and bring literacy to children zero to five years
of age. In addition, we make sure all resources available to these children are utilized to their best advantage.
Parents as Teachers
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| We believe that Parents are the child's first Teacher! |
This program is designed to help parents prepare children for school.
The focus of this program is to enable parents to be their children's first and most important teacher. It is modeled
in such a way that the parent educator is in continuous contact with parents. They bring educational materials and activities
to the homes during a regularly scheduled visit. Teen and single parents are among the targeted groups of this program.
We emphasize parenting skills, encourage regular medical and dental care for children, guide young parents toward educational
& employment opportunities. We strive to improve their confidence, self worth and abilities, while providing child
development activities. We have playgroups in La Junta, Rocky Ford and a monolingual group in Manzanola for Spanish
speaking families. All playgroups meet twice a month.
Promoting Safe & Stable Families Program (PSSFP)
This program is designed to support at-risk families to become
stronger and more self-sufficient. We provide activities such as Family Strengthening, Love & Logic Parenting Classes,
Partners in Parenting Classes, Family Advocacy, support groups and collaboration between local agencies to best utilize the
available resources.
H.A.P.P.E.E. Program
A Health Advocacy Parent Partnership Education & Empowerment
Program. TCFCC provides Family Health Advocates to assist vulnerable families in obtaining consistent,
quality health care and manage their own healthy choices. Ultimately, underserved families will be empowered
to assume leadership in managing their wellness and advocating for their own health care needs.
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Child Car Seat Safety Program
We provide education to area police, fire, and emergency responders and the public,
in the area of child safety restraints. Trainings and car seat checks are held periodically throughout the tri-county
area. In January 2003, we were designated as a permanent fitting station by Child Passenger Safety Team Colorado.
The Arkansas Valley Child Safety Coalition was formed by collaborating with agencies such as: Colorado State Patrol,
Area Police & Fire Depts., Sheriff Depts., local Car Dealerships, AVRMC, CDS (Child Development Services),
Wal-Mart, Private Citizens, Safe Kids, and Tri-County Family Care Center.
 Respite Care Program
Another endeavor we have undertaken is to recruit and train respite care providers
for families with children who have special needs to enable parents to take a break. Working parents can use these providers
when children are unable to attend childcare facilities or school due to mild illness. This enables parents to continue
working. These providers can also be accessed for elder care.
Foster/Adopt/Kinship Parents Program
This program has evolved from the Promoting Safe and Stable Families
project. While all families are served in the PSSFP, we have found that these special families need more intense and
private services, along with time to interact with each other. We provide a Foster/Adopt/Kinship Parents Support Group,
Foster Care Core Training and some training to assist them with certification hours needed annually.
"Take It Outside" Reducing Children's Exposure to 2nd Hand Smoke
Tri-County Family Care Center strives to reduce children's exposure to second-hand smoke. When your child breathes smoke,
it can be harmful to their health. According to the State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership, children who
breath secondhand smoke are more likely to have: - EAR INFECTIONS
- WHEEZING AND COUGHING SPELLS
- ASTHMA
ATTACKS
- ALLERGIES
- BRONCHITIS AND PNEUMONIA
If you are not ready quit smoking,
we ask that you "TAKE IT OUTSIDE!"
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