Growing Strong Families program for families with young children
Printable brochure-Growing Strong Families information
Start your family’s new year off with the Growing Strong Families program
It’s the time of year for New Year’s Resolutions! We all want the best for our kids and families, and the Growing Strong Families program is available in Adair County to support you and your family. Make signing up for Growing Strong Families part of your New Year’s resolution.
Growing Strong Families uses the nationally recognized Parents as Teachers curriculum, where the basic philosophy is that parents are their child’s first and most influential teacher. Families are encouraged to sign up for the free program before their baby is even born, but can enroll at any time up until their child enters Kindergarten. “It is a universal program in that it is open to any and all Adair County families regardless of income, number of children, or any other demographic,” notes Angie Engles, parent educator with the program.
Engles and co-worker BrandiAnn Wilson make personal visits to help parents know what to expect as their child grows. The purpose is always the same: to provide parents with information and activities relevant to their child and family well-being. Visits are scheduled to fit into each family’s routine and can be done in-home or at the Extension office. Parent educators are trained to complete regular developmental screens with the child. The program is here to help families connect with other resources within the community.
The program also offers free group activities for families. This winter they are hosting Rumble Tumble Night (January 30), quarterly book club (January 10) and the Family Storyteller series, a literacy program with dates to be announced soon. In March 2012, the Great Beginnings series will be back in Adair County.
Funding for the program is provided by the 4RKids ECI Area, along with Adair County Success4Kids Council through Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. Program sign up is easy; Contact Adair County Extension at 743-8412 or 1-800-ISUE399 or one of the parent educators directly: BrandiAnn Wilson (641-221-0881 or brandian@iastate.edu ) or Angie Engles (641-221-0880 or powella@iastate.edu ). The program is housed at the Adair County Extension office located at 202 S 1st (same building as City Hall and Library) in Greenfield.
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