“Finding the community resource that is best for your family can be overwhelming,” said Family Futures Executive Director Candace Cowling. “These organizations are coming together to help solve that problem.”
The nonprofit is aiming to raise awareness about the resource, encouraging Kent County families that are pregnant or have a child under age six to use the website.
Since its creation in 2017, the Parent Support Site has served more than 1,000 Kent County families. In the future, the nonprofit is hoping to keep increasing the number of families benefiting from the website.
Some of the nonprofit’s partners in the initiative are Spectrum Health, Cherry Health and Arbor Circle.
The organizations participating in the Kent County Parenting Support Site make up the Home Visiting Provider Network Local Leadership Group, a community workgroup dedicated to spreading awareness on home visiting.
Home visiting consists of direct support to families from the comfort of their homes, the news release said. Caseworkers meet with families once a week or once a month, depending on need.
“Our case managers hear stories from parents about how much these early childhood programs have supported them and were truly successful with the goals they had created for themselves,” said Kelli Doerr, a social worker for Early Childhood/Fostering Connections with Health Net of West Michigan.
“I highly recommend parents check the Parent Support Site to see which programs they may be eligible for.”
For those interested in the resource, visit kentparentinfo.com.