HomeMy WebLinkAboutFirst Step Family Support Center FIRST STEP FAmmy SuppoRT CENTER
IL l'O. BOX 249 - Part Angeles, WA 98362 (360) 457-8355
April 7, 2015 1
Mayor Dan DiGuilio
City of Port Angeles City Council I '' ! 0 206
P.O. Box 1150
Port Angeles, WA 98362 CITY C, =,T ANG L
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Dear Mayor DiGuilio:
We would like to express our sincere thanks to you for your continuing support of First Step Family
Support Center in our mission to promote the healthy development of children and families. By
choosing to fund First Step's Drop-In Center,you are choosing to enrich and enhance the lives of Port
Angeles residents, primarily low-income families with young children.
Last year, First Step was able to provide education and support to over 900 parents and caregivers and
their children in Port Angeles by providing Drop-In services including:
• phone and computer access
• access to a fax and copy machine
• referrals to First Step programs (parenting classes, home-visiting programs, safety programs)
• referrals to resources in the community such as WIC,The Housing Resource Center, Healthy
Families,Salvation Army, and Serenity House
• emergency diapers and baby foods
• free baby clothing and equipment
• social support for highly stressed families(proven to prevent child neglect and abuse)
• a safe and enriching environment for children to play
• a healthy snack for the whole family
• a family reading program with fun crafts and free books
In 2015,we received over 3,000 visits by parents/caregivers, and over 2,200 visits by children. Our
clothing and equipment closet was run at no cost by two dedicated volunteers and the donations of
clothing and equipment from countless generous families in the area.
Investing in First Step Family Support Center is investing in the future of our community.Your support is
greatly appreciated and has been used to fulfill our vision that Port Angeles families will have the
support they need to maximize their individual potentials as they progress throughout their lives. On
behalf of our Board of Directors, staff,volunteers, partners, and clients,we thank you for your
commitment to the health and happiness of Port Angeles families! We hope you will continue to
support First Step into the future.
Sincerely, p
Venita Lynn
Executive Director
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2014 Fact Sheet
Since 1972, First Step Family Support Center has provided support and education services to Clallam County
families as part of the agency mission to promote the healthy development of children and families. In 2014,
our staff of dedicated professionals served approximately 3,979 adults and children, the majority of whom
are low-income. First Step provides innovative and family-centered programs to meet the needs of parents
and their children in a respectful and responsible manner. We believe that supporting parents is critical in
our attempt to support young children; as parents are their child's protectors, first teachers and emotional
home.
• Infant Case Management — Monthly home visiting program for at-risk, low-income parents with
children 2 months to 1 year of age. Provides advocacy, linkages, information, and referrals. 109
families served in 2014
• Maternity Support Services - Community Health Nurse, Registered Dietician, Social Worker, and
Community Health Worker actively support low-income women to encourage a healthy pregnancy and
healthy birth outcomes. Services are provided from beginning of pregnancy through child's first 2
months. 353 families served in 2014
• Drop-In Centers — Located in Port Angeles and Sequim, Drop-In offers free clothing and equipment
closet, information and referrals, a children's play area, emergency diapers and formula, access to
phones, computers, fax and copier, healthy snacks, literacy and craft programs, and free children's
books. Our Sequim location offers a Spanish speaking environment. 3,074 adult visits and 2,289 child
visits made in 2014
• Parent-Child Assistance Program — Home-visiting program for mothers who abuse alcohol and/or
drugs during pregnancy. This is an intensive case management program designed to help high-risk
families get and stay healthy, as well as prevent future babies from being compromised due to
substance exposure. 88 families served in 2014
• Parents As Teachers Home-Visiting Program — Home-visiting program promoting healthy child
development, parenting education and healthy parent support networks for families with children 0 to
3 years of age. Offered in English and Spanish. 206 families served in 2014
• Supported Parenting Program — Intensive home-visiting program to help parents with cognitive
limitations raise their children. 3 families served in 2014
• Parenting Classes — Make Parenting a Pleasure parenting classes. Class attendees enjoy a research
based curriculum, a meal and make connections with other families. On-site childcare, free books and
transportation are provided. Offered in English and Spanish 88 participants in 2014
• First Books Program — Provides free new books to children to assist families in establishing their
children's own personal library and to promote family literacy. 1,970 books were distributed in 2014.
• Making Holiday Memories Dinner — A terrific family-focused event to encourage memory building
during the holiday season. The evening includes dinner, gift rooms, craft projects and photos with
Santa. 145 adults and 166 children attended in 2014
• Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Groups — Parents and children played in a variety of activities to promote
parent and child interaction. The groups help demonstrate to parents that they are their child's first
teacher, even during playtime. 65 families served in 2014
• Safe Beds for Healthy Babies—A safe sleep initiative that provides education and materials to promote
room sharing vs. bed sharing. Parents attend a short informative meeting and receive a safe portable
crib for their child. First Step distributed 147 cribs in 2014
• Summer Adventure Camp — A school-readiness program offered in the summer for children entering
Kindergarten in the fall. This program is designed to prepare children who may not have had access to
preschool, for expectations of Kindergarten. It also engages parents so that they may help prepare
their children for school. 18 children attended in 2014
• Child Passenger Safety—A Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician offers one on one education for
families to ensure all children are riding as safe as possible at all times. This hands-on workshop
teaches families about safety for their child's size, the model of the vehicle, and the particular car seat
that they use. Our program can also provide referrals for assistance for families who cannot afford the
necessary car or booster seats. 56 children served in 2014
First Step makes a concerted effort to share our space and time with other agencies throughout Clallam
County so as to better serve all families in a consistent, efficient, and respectful manner.
WWW.FIRSTSTEPFAMILY.ORG
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