When a parent and child need support or guidance with their relationship, agencies such as the McKean County Family Centers are there to lend a hand.
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, local parents supported by the Family Centers as well as county officials, shared information on the many family programs offered locally.
Jenn Douglass, program administrator for Family Centers in the county, said activities such as the Family Fun Night event that was offered Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church in Bradford, are facilitated by staff from the agency and parent volunteers.
“We serve children ages birth to 5 and (the agency) does home visits,” Douglass said. “It’s a very straight-faced program. I did it and my husband did it, too, because it’s all about early childhood development. They tell you what milestones your child should reach.”
Douglass said any resident of the county with small children is welcome to contact a Family Center to sign up because it really “is just a wonderful program.”
She said interactions between parents and their children are also facilitated through the Parents as Teachers program, which includes home visits, developmental screenings, resource connections and group activities. Other programs offered in the county include Head Start, IU9 preschool, Early Intervention home visits, Project RAPPORT, the Era’s Less Fortunate (ELF) Fund, Parent/child playgroups and Family Fun Nights.
An example of a child helped through various programs was provided by Douglass. She said a child had been screened for glasses while enrolled in the Parents as Teachers program and subsequently received a recommendation for glasses. The family obtained glasses for the child thanks to financial help provided by the Lions Club.
Parents helped by the program include Beth and Allan Kline of Bradford who currently participate and had attended a Family Center program months before their son, Dean, 4, was born.
“It is very helpful to to us,” Beth Kline said of the program. “I’m very grateful they were there to help me out from the time I was pregnant with my son all the way up until now.”
She said they also appreciate the agency’s home visits that further help them with parenting skills — and would recommend the program to other parents.
Lee Sizemore, administrator for the McKean County Department of Human Services, said county agencies recognize the “critical role of parents and caregivers.
“Our theme every year is ‘Parenting is One Tough Job…and we are here to help,’” Sizemore said. “Hands down, housing is hard to afford. We want parents to know that they can call the McKean County Redevelopment and Housing Authority at 887-5563 to seek help.
“Also, parents should not go this alone,” Sizemore added. “Parents As Teachers is a program that can help all parents that have a child under age 5 with tips, fun activities and connections to their community. “
On a final note, Sizemore said families should make a point to attend the Kids Fest event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27 at the Bradford Family YMCA on Boylston Street.
“It’s like a huge block party of support, where parents and caregivers can meet all the good people in McKean County that are there to help support them,” Sizemore said.
For more information on the Family Centers or their programs call 362-1834.
