The Community Forum that was designed to be a conversation with The Stephen Group about Legislative Bill 1173 was a busy morning with lots of information shared. A special shout out to Kimberly Powell (Norfolk Family Coalition), Michelle Padilla (Fremont Family Coalition), JoAnn Gieselman (Growing Community Connections), and Community and Family Partnership, for sharing the incredible work occurring within our collaboratives. It was a great morning with some fantastic discussion around ongoing prevention efforts and community impacts made by collaboratives, as well as the support needed for continued work and increased capacity.

For more information on Legislative Bill 1173, The Stephen Group, and their community convenings, please visit: Reimagine Well-being

The Teen & Young Adults Parent Program (TYPP), being operated by Community Response (CR) for our area, is a collaboration with the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative to help meet the needs of the target population. The program runs very similar to CR in that it has a referral process and provides funds for support services to address a family’s needs. Since starting operations with TYPP last fall, a wide variety of expenses have been allowable - including rent and utilities. 

We’ve been informed that beginning May 1^st, the qualifying expenditures will be much more focused on meeting the direct needs of children – i.e. cribs, diapers, clothing. A specific list has not yet been provided but will be shared when it is received. Funds will remain to pay for therapy services for teen and young adult parents and opportunities for virtual parenting and life skills classes will be provided over the next year. Information on the classes will be sent to partners as it becomes available.

I am the main contact for receiving referrals for TYPP services. When you have a person that fits the criteria for TYPP, contact me at tbichlmeier@columbusunitedway.com or 402-366-5615 and I can walk you through the process for submitting a request.

The criteria for being assisted by TYPP supports through CR is:

• Must be a teen parent or young adult parent under the age of 26 (includes those who are pregnant).
• A resident of Platte, Colfax, Boone, or Nance Counties (there are a number of other counties in Eastern Nebraska being served through TYPP by other community collaborative projects).
• Either in school and/or being served by a local service provider that has regular contact with the teen/young adult.

Partnering with Parents had another workshop on “Helping Your Child Understand Their Emotions”. The Rooted in Relationships team had seven parents attend and provided childcare for two children. Parents went home with a lot of take-home items they could use with their children that are being used in their child's programs as well. There was follow up information given out to those who reached out asking for more information on specific concerns that parents had in teaching their children through understanding their emotions. 

PIWI's spring session at Saint Bonaventure Preschool started up this month with 5 children and 6 parents. We have both mom and dad attending and great conversations and friendships that are building. We witnessed a lot of giggling on Thursday evenings and quality time spent with kids.

Mayors in communities in the four counties signed a Proclamation for April as “Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month”.  All of the Proclamations contain the same wording and all contain the name of the city and mayor’s name and signature. 

This event provided residents, educators, businesses, and economic-focused organizations and influencers with the latest information about how childcare and early education impacts businesses in our community and throughout Nebraska.

For details about the We Care for Kids campaign including information and resources please visit: NebraskaCaresForKids.org.

Kim Parsons with Communities for Kids along with CFP and United Way has literally been everywhere this past year. This organization is an absolute perfect fit for her, and Schuyler is so blessed to have these programs to offer so many great activities for our families, to offer the education and all of the help has made a huge impact for all of us. Thank you to their relentless efforts and time they have invested. 

Thank you, Kim, and all 3 of this organization’s entities.  

Providers recognized included Debbie Micek, Amanda Wemhoff, Ashley Prater, Linda Dammann, Jamie Gengler, Sandi Voss, Ashli Porter, Lina Galvis, Cassie Chohon, Michelle Shemek, Alica Lopez, Lagina Kodak, Shannon Stutzman, Samantha Speicher, Donna Gray, and Kelly Lovell.

While both “childcare” and “day care” are correct terms, the term “childcare” puts the importance on the word that really matters: child. These providers make the future of our society a priority and it’s time for us to give them the credit they fully deserve. Help CFP on its mission to elevate the Early Care and Education profession! Here’s a quick and important read from Step Up to Quality.

“It starts with how we talk about it. It’s something everyone can do…. because the status and overall quality of early childhood education affects everyone.”  

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law on July 22, 2014. WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Congress passed the Act with a wide bipartisan majority; it is the first legislative reform of the public workforce system since 1998. 

Community & Family Partnerships is Hiring!

Check out Something Good Columbus!