Agenda - 09-03-1996 - X-A - Laserfiche WebLink

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41 NURTURING FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES An adequate safety net for children and families exists when... • basic needs are met for food,clothing,shelter, health,education, and emotional well-being. • every child has at least one nurturing, dependable parent or adult they can rely on. • children are born wanted,and raised in a safe, nurturing environment. • families have an adequate nutritious diet, and no one goes to bed hungry. • children and families have homes. • support systems exist for emergencies. Key Components • All families,however, they define themselves • Home and community-based settings for child and family services ► Parents have the capacity,skills, and resources to "parent" effectively ► Strong,self-sufficient families ► Warm and sanitary homes, with running water ► Meals served at school ► Food Stamps and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Feeding Program Essential Core Components • Parenting Education and Resources. Parents need access to parenting training that includes conflict resolution,child abuse prevention,domestic violence awareness, and substance abuse prevention. Services should be widely available and respectful of cultural diversity. • Support Networks for Grandparents. Grandparents are taking a more active, and often primary role in raising children. Support to grandparents in this role needs to be extended and networked. • Child Support. Children deserve the financial support of their parents, and child support enforcement and collection services need to be strong. ✓ Education and Recreation. Age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate education and recreation services should be available for children and families at various sites throughout the county. ✓ Mentoring Programs. Families go through many different transitions during their life-cycles, and children and families need mentors to help them complete these transitions successfully. Families who are in transition from welfare to work particularly need mentoring assistance. ✓ Emergency Resources. Emergencies resources need to exists 24 hours per day,seven days a week when a family experiences a short-term crisis. V. Supplemental Assistance. When families incomes are inadequate to support their health and well-being,the community should make supplemental assistance available to the family.