Coalition receives funding from The Chartrand Family Fund for group parenting classes

ChartrandFamilyFund_logoThe Healthy Start Coalition received a two-year grant from The Chartrand Family Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida to provide group parenting classes for families with new babies. The Coalition will utilize the evidence-based CenteringParenting model program to provide support and give new parents the confidence and understanding to help their child’s health and development.

The CenteringParenting model brings 6-8 moms, partners, support people and their same-age infants together for approximately two years for group classes with their health care providers and other parents who are experiencing similar things at the same time. The classes include discussions and interactive activities on topics like attachment, safe sleep, breastfeeding, nutrition, early literacy, development and safety. Parents engage in their baby’s care: tracking growth and development, immunizations and oral health.

The Centering model allows for parents to spend additional time with a provider, which creates an opportunity to screen for developmental milestones and mental health concerns, leading to earlier intervention and referrals. The CenteringParenting program will complement the Coalition’s existing group prenatal care classes provided at the Magnolia Project.

The Chartrand Family established this Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida in 2012 to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that do work the family has supported over many years, connect with others who are doing similar work, and to expand opportunities for local collaboration, The Chartrand Family has a long history of philanthropy in the community. Their Fund focuses on early childhood education, K-12 public education reform, and social and emotional mental health for children and youth.