Let's Get to Know Corey Smith

Corey has been a Parent Aide at the Family Resource Center (FRC) for one and a half years. She has been happily married to her husband, Adam, for nearly ten years, and together they are raising four daughters: Iris, 14; Lillian, 13; Ramona-Corina, 6; and Coraline, 4. The family enjoys spending movie nights together and plans to do a lot of camping this summer.

Two interesting facts about Corey are that she was born at the stroke of midnight and used to be an actor at the Folklore Haunted House. Her hobbies include reading, drawing, taking care of her plants, and exploring new places.

Corey's job at the FRC is incredibly important to her because she grew up in a family that relied on support systems, and as a young mother, she could have greatly benefited from having a parent aide. She deeply believes in the work the FRC does every day. Corey loves connecting families with resources and information that make raising a family in today's world a little bit easier, allowing them to breathe and focus on the joy that children bring.

One fact she wishes everyone knew about her work is that families and children thrive when they have a safe and healthy community and support system to rely on. Parent Aides at the Family Resource Center work diligently every day to provide a level of support that fosters a sense of community and honors each family's unique strengths and values.

Ron Kiefer, of First Presbyterian Church of Rome dropped by and surprised us with a check for over $8400! This second mile gift is especially important to us this year First Presbyterian! Thank you for being a Partner in Prevention!

Thank you to Second Avenue Baptist church for their recent $700 gift to be used for the purchase of pack and plays with bassinets. These will be given to families enrolled in our program who do not have a crib and supports the safe sleep education we provide. Learn more about that initiative below.

• The Family Resource Center promotes safe sleep practices for infants using Department of Public Health training materials. We provide safe sleep education to any family referred to our program who has a child 1 year or under, even if they elect not to participate in our in-home program. 
• The goal of Georgia’s Safe to Sleep campaign is to educate mothers, fathers, grandparents and caregivers about the importance of putting babies to sleep following the ABCs of Safe Sleep as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Georgia has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country. Infant sleep-related deaths occur suddenly, but parents and caregivers can reduce the risk of these tragic deaths by following the ABCs of safe sleep.
• Alone – babies should sleep alone in their own sleep space, close to but separate from their caregiver.
• Back – babies should be placed on their back to sleep. Every nap. Every sleep. Every time.
• Crib – babies should sleep in a crib or bassinet with a firm, flat surface with no extra items such as crib bumpers, blankets or toys.