Ringgold County Parents as Teachers received notice that they have been awarded a Dekko Foundation grant of up to $30,000 to help grow their endowment. The Dekko Foundation has pledged to award $1 for each $1 secured from individuals and businesses up to the grant amount. The goal is to grow the endowment fund with the South Central Iowa Community Foundation from the current $208,000 to at least $300,000. This will insure that families with children ages 0-36 months will receive the family support they need well into the future.
Ringgold County Parents as Teachers was started in 2000. Over the last 15 years, the program has served more than 700 families with over 5200 visits. The PAT program is offered by Ringgold County Public Health and is supported entirely with grant money from a number of organizations. The program goals are to increase parent knowledge of early childhood development, improve parenting practices, provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues, prevent child abuse and neglect, and increase children’s school readiness and school success.
Certified Parent Educator, Jennifer Creveling, and Certified Parent Educator/Supervisor, Robin McDonnell, RN, share research-based information and evidence-based practices by partnering and reflecting with families on their particular needs through personal family visits. Regular group meetings are offered to support families in linking with others in the community, making resource connections and strengthening knowledge on a variety of topics.
If you would like to support this worthwhile family support program with your donation, please contact Ringgold County Public Health. Your donation could be matched $1 for $1 by the Dekko Foundation and might qualify for an Endow Iowa Tax Credit. For more information on how you can help or to enroll in the program, call Ringgold County Public Health (641-464-0691) or email Robin (rmcdonnell@rcph.net) or Jennifer (jcreveling@rcph.net).