Parent Support Center
Families can "drop in" during program hours to discuss struggles and challenges in their lives. Utilizing our Resource Library, parents can:
- find information on an issue encountered with a child;
- learn about services available to the community;
- obtain referrals to community agencies;
- have a "listening ear" from our qualified and skilled staff or volunteers.
The Resource Library will also include books and videos that illustrate ideas for dealing with various family issues.
The Treasure Chest
Our Treasure Chest offers basic need items-diapers, wipes, baby food, clothing, and other baby items- to low income clients. The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis. All items are supplied through community donations and may not always be in stock. Call The Parent and Child Center at Bristol Hospital at 860-585-3481 for more information about signing up for this program.
The Family Life Works Program
The Family Life Works Program provides parenting education and child development classes throughout Connecticut. Topics include a variety of family life issues, such as child development and positive parenting (prenatal through college age children.) Classes are offered to the community through the center's program guide. The center also contracts with child care facilities, family resource centers and other non-profits throughout the state to provide programming to families.
Current community offerings can be viewed at www.bristolhospital.org. Past classes include the following topics, plus many more:
- Newborn and Infant Care Techniques
- Disciplining Your Toddler
- Temper Tantrums
- Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten
- Handling Children's Anger
- Positive Parenting of Pre-Teens and Teenagers
The Maternal/Child Health Initiative (MCHI)
MCHI is a collaborative program of the center, the Women, Infants and Children's Program (WIC), Bristol Community Organization (BCO), and Bristol Hospital Prepared Childbirth Department (PCD). Each collaborative agency operates independently to serve expectant families. With just one phone call to any affiliated agency, clients can initiate services with all agencies*. MCHI provides healthy pregnancy classes monthly at Bristol's WIC Office and several times yearly in New Britain's WIC Office.
The Parents Alone Raising Kids Program (PARK)
Parents Alone Raising Kids (PARK) is a program that is designed to meet the needs of single parents. Funded in part by the Clinton S. Roberts Foundation, the program has four main components:
- The Cooperative Parenting Program is an eight-class series that focuses on the issues faced by families
when parents are not living together. The program helps parents learn ways to keep children out of conflicts
between parents.
- PARK Support Groups provide a safe environment for parents to discuss the struggles of raising children
alone, as well as focusing on the positive aspects of parenting.
- Family Life Works classes provide knowledge and tools needed to care for both children and parents.
- Support Services include 1) referrals for basic need supports and other services, and 2) several community
events to promote social interaction and provide healthy, family-oriented activities for single families.
Home-Based Parent Education Services
This program provides intensive in-home parenting education services for families who are either not appropriate for group-based classes or need additional services as mandated by the courts or the Department of Children and Families.
The Parent and Child Center is located at 9 Prospect Street, Bristol. For information about our programs, please call 860-585-3481 to request a copy of our current Program Guide, to find out about our latest offerings or for more information on any of the services listed above.
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