Grantees

Story Enchantment All Year (SEAY) addresses the need for high-quality childcare by delivering professional development opportunities for the early childcare workforce by extending our visits and targeting content for child care professionals. With each bookmobile visit, SEAY provides book/material loans for everyone, free professional development, and story times with evidence-based extension activities for children 0-5. By focusing on social-emotional skill development, SEAY builds trauma-informed services that will reduce the impacts of adverse childhood experiences and increase kindergarten readiness in social and emotional learning.

MoonRise Therapeutics (MRT) is a farm-based nonprofit dedicated to healing emotional and psychological trauma and promoting mental health in the Upper Valley of Vermont. MRT brings together children, families, and adults in need with highly skilled clinical professionals and a herd of well-loved horses. This practice of integrating horses into mental health work creates a uniquely effective setting for healing and growth. As a member of Mt. Ascutney Hospital’s Strengthening Families workgroup, MRT requests funding for regional programs to support their Circle of Security trainings and Play Groups. Circle of Security enhances caregivers’ social connection, resulting in stronger, more secure attachments for children and families.

A large majority of the people enrolling in our parenting programs these days struggle with addiction as well as the effects of various trauma and adverse experiences (75-80%). With so many parents and caregivers presenting with substance use issues, we will offer Strengthening Families Programs (SFP). SFP is an evidence-based parenting and life skills training program which parents and children attend together. The program was originally designed to improve outcomes for parents with substance use disorders and their children. Studies over the years show that, in addition to being very effective in preventing substance use and mental health issues in children, the program also improves family functioning and reduces violence and abuse.

This is a pilot program developed by Reinbow Riding Center (RRC) in collaboration with Rutland Mental Health’s Early Childhood division. RRC is a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) member center with PATH certified instructors. PATH is an international organization that teaches and certifies instructors to administer programs. The goal of this program is to provide prevention techniques to families via a therapeutic equine experience to those who have experienced significant traumatic stress. By focusing on the caregiver/child relationship our goal is to provide tools by which a healthy and mutually satisfying relationship can develop and be maintained. Our goal is to support the strengthening families initiative.

To enhance positive and supportive interactions between parents and their children in order to contribute to a long-lasting ripple effect on development and healthy decision-making across a lifetime. 1. Collaborate with elementary schools to present an evidence-based social/emotional learning program that reinforces skill sets, including goal setting, decision making, managing emotions, effective communication, and bonding and relationships. Students are provided age-appropriate information on the negative effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. 2. Develop parent support groups and events/opportunities to share stories, provide peer support, receive information on supportive parenting, and norms that keep children safe and healthy.

Educating parents of pre-K through middle school age children on positive parenting skills to strengthen family bonds. Parents will learn the importance of age appropriate,k but clear and frequent communication with their children about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.

The Strong Families program will expand the VNA parent education and support group for at-risk mothers, which includes childcare and facilitated playgroups for their children. They anticipate serving an additional 8010 mothers by restructuring the program and going from 2-3 groups offered during the year.

Sponsor workshops that will promote positive parenting and communications skills, strengthen the school-community partnership and improve family support systems in the community. They will have two sessions of Loving Couples/Loving Children Family Workshops (total of 12 workshops).