Grantees

Make contact with new fathers through collaboration with agencies and hospitals to set up monthly support groups, on-on-one support, and postpartum phone followup to discuss concerns. The primary focus of the facilitator at these support groups is to provide educational materials and resources to new fathers, while discussing their role in the birth and responsibilities for care once the baby arrives

This grant will fund the expansion of “Caring Dads” sessions which aim to create a good experience and build on fostering warm and intimate relationships with Dads and their children. It is two 17-week sessions with male and female facilitators.

Babywearing enables caregivers to bond with their newborns, manage stress, and care for their baby and themselves. Families worldwide have carried their babies for centuries. But for many families today, babywearing can be expensive - and overwhelming. Carrier options are confusing and complicated; a good quality carrier may cost over a hundred dollars. Many new parents give up after one failed attempt because they lack sustained support and the ability to try different carriers until they find a good fit for their needs. This program breaks down barriers to babywearing via individualized fitting assistance, practical information on how to carry your baby, and access to a variety of carrier types in a supportive, judgment-free environment.

Outright is building a VT where all LGBTQ+ youth have hope, equity, and power. A crucial step is ensuring that they have supportive adults in their lives - starting at home. According to The Trevor Project’s National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, “LGBTQ youth who report having at least one accepting adult were 40% less likely to report a suicide attempt in the past year.” The goal for our family programs (TransParent, Panorama, Gender Creative Kids) is to equip parents and caregivers to be that accepting and supportive adult. They plan to add a new member to their Family Programs team, allowing them to increase participation, expand offerings, reach new regions, and apply new innovative approaches to their work alongside families.

Good Beginnings parent/caregiver circles bring families together to support each other in the unique-but-shared experience of parenting an infant. Anyone caring for an infant is welcome. Each circle is a welcoming, judgment-free space where new parents and caregivers can speak openly and honestly about the challenges and triumphs of the parenting experience, gain support, and build community. Weekend and weekday options help connect new moms and dads alike to a network of peer support that can make the difference during the first few months. Each circle is facilitated by a local parent with support from Good Beginnings staff. Food, drink, and age-appropriate children’s activities and/or child care are provided.

Families First is an innovative and exciting program based in rural Vermont that supports local children and families. The guiding principles of Families First will be Advocacy, Building Community and Cultivating Citizenship. The goal is to develop and support the whole family. This program will provide families with therapeutic support, connections with local resources and community agencies, education in the area of child development, provision of practical strategies and exploration of educational and employment opportunities in our region. This program will be based out of a not for profit childcare center located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Families First will support and nurture families in and around this region.

Family Play is a year-round weekly drop-in parent-child interactive play and literacy group for parents and caregivers with children ages 0-5 to offer parent education and support featuring a variety of groups and classes to promote cross-cultural relationships and family health and wellbeing. The program happens on-site from October-May and at a summer nature garden from June-September. Family Play takes place in a community environment featuring supportive experiences, positive expectations, and self-care to effect intergenerational change. With every adult caregiver who participates, there is at least one child who is also benefiting from these nurturing and supportive experiences.

Essex Pediatrics Strengthening Families Initiative (EPSFI) was created in July 2024 to provide support for children and families experiencing barriers to wellness in Vermont. We provide access to integrated support services for mental health, education and skills development, and optimal parenting.
EPSFI continues to formalize our family resilience program to include home visiting, with targeted parent education and training, as well as facilitation of parent and child mental health support groups. The program will provide support, psychoeducation, and care coordination through trained home visitors to facilitate family connection and parent-child attunement.