Healthy Start Parent Mentor Program
[ View Opportunity ]
| Last updated on April 14, 2008 |
Healthy Start provides young, first-time parents, age 14-22 with home visits. Trained parent mentors offer support, parenting information, and referrals to assist parents in making healthy choices for themselves and their children. Mentor training includes child and infant brain development, community resources, how to have a helping relationship, identifying infant cues, family support, and how to conduct a home visit.
Bilingual Spanish and English volunteers are especially encouraged to apply.
Description:
Healthy Start provides encouragement and support before, rather than after, a family may encounter difficulties in life. This early intervention program:
provides social support
healthy child development and safety
promotes positive parenting
provides referrals to important community agencies and resources
assists in securing adequate medical care through a primary health care provider
encourages steps towards family independence.
History:
Healthy Start was in response to increased pregnancy rates in Snoqualmie Valley. It is now a collaborative project of Friends of Youth, Youth Eastside Services, Northshore Youth and Family, Center for Human Services,and Redmond Area Youth Services. Healthy Start serves families on the Eastside of Lake Washington from Renton to south Snohomish County and Issquah and the Snoqualmie Valley. Friends of Youth is the fiscal agency, has home visitors in Issaquah, and coordinates the volunteer Mentor Program. The other agencies hire Family Support Specialists who visit families who may need a higher level of intervention. Outcomes of the Healthy Start Program include:
99% of Healthy Start children are up to date on well child checks, immunizations and within normal weight and height for their age.
All Healthy Start children have a medical providers.
Most of parents report increased confidence in their parenting skills, which reduces child abuse. Parents have learned the skills they need to discipline positively.
Many of the moms and dads in Healthy Start work are attending school, or other training programs.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (425) 869-6666
Address:
 |
16315 NE 87th St. #B-7
Redmond, WA 98052
This location is handicap accessible
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.healthystartfamily.org
Directions:
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We are located at the Family Resource Center in Redmond. From 520 take the West Lake Sammamish Exit and go left. At the second light take a right on 85th. At the second light take a left at 161st. In one block take a right at 87th. In half a block on the right hand side enter the Family Resource Center Campus. Park and look for Building B. Maps on the builddings and the center directory will help direct to suite B-1. |
Miscellaneous Information
| Liability |
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No
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| Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers? |
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No
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| Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18? |
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No
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Volunteer Reflections
Post Your Own!
Average Rating (3 reflections) 
Overall Experience
a very rewarding experience
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Our agency is organized and communicative with clear objectives to help young mothers of young children. I am gaining social awareness and friendship while learning some things about myself.
posted on June 30, 2005 |
Overall Experience
I get back even more than I give!
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I grew up in a family that was active in community volunteering of all types. As an adult, I have had many special volunteer experiences, but none that give me as much joy and fulfillment as being a Parent Mentor! The "match" that Karen Knight, volunteer coordinator, made between me and my mentee has been great for both of us! I have gotten to see my mentee grow from a scared, pregnant teenager to a confident mom and college student! The times we spend together (2-10 hours per month, depending on our schedules) are fun, playful, serious, enlightening, encouraging, and very special! These mom's are lucky to have such a great program as a resource. This is something ALL new parents could use!!
posted on September 6, 2002 |
Overall Experience
meaningful
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I have really enjoy working with the Eastside Healthy Start Program. The advisor, Karen Knight's enthusiasm and passion for providing this service is infectious! I came in wanting to make a difference and was given the tools and training to do so. This program is very flexible and the events are fun. The other mentors are very supportive and the participants are all different and bring so many different experiences to share to the organization that benefit all parties involved. This program takes dedication and work as it does in building any relationship, but the long term results to these children of teenagers is worth it. I encourage anyone interested in this program who sincerely wants to help young families succeed, to contact Karen.
posted on August 28, 2002 |
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