Grantees

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).

To provide a Student Assistant Counselor for two days a week. Responsibilities include prevention education as well as group and individual student support.

To help fund a student assistant program at the junior high school.

A program to establish a student assistance coordinator at Harwood Union Middle/High School.