Cedar Valley United Way

Progress Report 2014-2015

Target Issue: Health – Healthy Youth and Adults/Violence

Family and Children’s Council2014-2015 Request:$25,305

Parent Connection/Empowering Parents2014-2015 Award:$15,147

Number ofunduplicatedparticipants anticipated to be directly served by the program annually: 75

Are there changes to your original number of anticipated participants based on current conditions? If so, what is your new anticipated number of clients served annually?
Please also provide the reason for this change if applicable:

Total number of actual participants: Phase 1: 31 families (34 adults, 52 children) Phase 2: 39 families (48 adults, 44 children)

Phase 1*Phase 2* Cumulative Totals*

# and % of participants who report greater skills to assist themselves or families / 30 adults/88% / 44 adults/48 adults
92% / 74 adults/82 adults
90%
# and % of participants who do not experience abuse or neglect / 34 adults/100% / 48 adults/48 adults
100% / 82 adults/82 adults
100%
Your choice as it relates to healthy youth and adults - violence programming: # and % of parents who are able to identify three tools to be used for discipline other than corporal punishment. / 32 adults/94% / 48 adults/48 adults
100% / 80 adults/82 adults
98%

*Report only unduplicated numbers

Based on the above information, what changes, challenges or improvements are being implemented or experienced to impact the effectiveness of the program?

Phase 1: During this phase, a second staff was added to provide in-home parent education. Families continue to have high needs in relation to housing, childcare, transportation and employment/education. Staff continues to collaborate with other area agencies and resources, referring clients as appropriate to meet those needs. In November, 2014, the Parent Connection program became credentialed through the Iowa Family Support Credential, signifying that Parent Connection programming meets the most rigorous of standards and best practice that the state endorses. A ceremony celebrating this accomplishment will be held on February 12th at 5pm at the Family & Children’s Council offices.

Phase 2: During this phase, families continued to receive in-home parent education and support. In addition, two nine week sessions of Empowering Parents, group-based parent education, were held. Families from both in-home and group-based parent education continue to have high needs in relation to hoursing, childcare, transportation and employment/education. Staff continues to collaborate with other area agencies and resources, referring clients as appropriate to meet those needs. Due to lack of full funding, it was determined to be no longer feasible to continue with a second staff allocated to the Parent Connection program. Client services were not adversely impacted at this time and it is hoped that in the future opportunities might present to allow for sustainable expansion of programming.

Share at least one of the “success stories” or accomplishments that a participant has experienced during each reporting period. This must be participant focused and aligned with the intent of this award.

Phase 1:Tanya is a young mother with four children under the age of four. She came to FCC in search of parent education and support, at the time pregnant with her fourth child. She had little support, aside from the father of her children, with whom she resided. At the time that she initiated services, both she and the FOB were working third shift and in need of childcare during the day to allow both parents to get a bit of rest (a family member stayed over night with the children). Staff assisted with linking Tanya with child care resources as well as guidance of what to look for in a quality child care center or home. Also, mom was provided a referral to DHS to apply for child care assistance through the block grant program and was approved. As a result, all four children are now enrolled in quality childcare…both parents agree that this has been beneficial to the children in terms of their growth and development, as well as beneficial to the parents who are no longer too exhausted to provide positive and nurturing parenting to their children.

Phase 2: “Tanya” and “Kyle” are the parents of a thriving and active one year old son. The parents contacted the Parent Connection program at the advice of a friend, who had utilized programming in the past. Tanya and Kyle reported to staff that while they feel over-all confident in their parenting skills and abilities, they have encountered situations where they feel as though they struggle when determining the best way to handle a situation. For example, the parents shared that they believe that they are on the same page regarding discipline beliefs and strategies, however, they receive mixed messages from family and friends through unsolicited advice. The parents reported that they felt that a third party…someone who could provide education “by the book” and have no bias…would assist them greatly on their parenting journey. Staff provides ninety-minute parent education sessions in the home on a weekly basis, covering basic child development and nurturing discipline techniques in what the parents report as a “safe” environment. As the relationship between staff and parents has grown, so has the comfort level according to the parents. The parents have verbalized that staff is an important member of their “team” and see the staff as not only a resource, but an important support.

Phase 1= July 1, 2014-December 31, 2014Report Due: January 15, 2015

Phase 2=January 1, 2015-June 30, 2015Report Due: July 15, 2015