Addison County Parent/Child Center

The Parent/Child Center was founded in 1980 to provide support and education to families with young children. Its primary goals are:

1.      To strengthen families

2.      To ensure that young children get love and good care

3.      To help adolescents make responsible decisions about family life

4.      To work cooperatively with other agencies in providing services

5.      To prevent major stresses on family life

6.      To help other community groups establish similar programs

7.      To encourage prevention activities in the community

In order to achieve these goals the Parent/Child Center focuses on:

1.      Development of POSITIVE SELF-ESTEEM in children and adults.

2.      Teaching and modeling of EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS.

3.      Creation of a CARING COMMUNITY in which families help each other.

CENTER BASED SERVICESare provided in our building. These include developmental and therapeutic infant care, core support groups, vocational training, cooperative facilities, parenting education, and administrative services. Center based services tend to be the most intensive offered by the Parent/Child Center.

OUTREACH SERVICESare provided either in the families’ home or in the community. Playgroups are offered weekly across the county. Outreach services are the usual introduction of a family to the Parent/Child Center program. The trusting relationship developed between the worker and the family provides the vital link to all other services. Playgroups are open to all but home visits are limited to priority populations.

NETWORK SERVICESare provided through cooperative agreements with other 

agencies and schools. Networking enables families to develop comprehensive service plans that clear and cost effective. A transportation network provides access t all services provided by the program.

The founders of the Parent/Child wished to make family support and education services available to anyone in the county. Economics have required that some services be limited. Priority is given to:

1.      PREGNANT TEENAGERS AND FAMILIES OF TEEN PARENTS 

2.      FAMILIES OF INFANTS AND TODDLERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

3.      FAMILIES IN WHICH YOUNG CHILDREN ARE BEING ABUSED

Also:

4. Families where children are at risk of abuse or neglect

5. Families where children are at risk of developmental delays

6. Families experiencing other forms of domestic violence

7. Families where the parent’s functioning is impaired by mental or physical illness, substance abuse, or other challenge

8. Families who seek assistance