United Way of West Central Connecticut

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Last updated on August 13, 2007

The Parent and Child Center at Bristol Hospital is dedicated to assisting parents with the task of parenting. By bringing educational programs out into the community, we help parents and children gain a better understanding of how they can work together to promote a positive family life.

Description:
The Parent and Child Center at Bristol Hospital offers several programs to provide all parents, especially those at risk, with the resources they need to cope with the stresses in their lives and with their children--without resorting to violence or abuse. Many of the Center's programs are designed to help those parents who are at most risk for abuse--teen parents. The Center offers a Resource Library, which houses a wealth of information on any parenting topic. Parents can drop-in and read through books, magazines, and pamphlets and watch educational videos on the center's tv and vcr. The Nurturing Program teaches families positive parenting skills: what babies like, how to handle the cranky times, and how to help the normal development of infants and toddlers. The Hello Baby Program helps young parents make the transition into parenthood. The program offers young families parenting support from the moment of birth until the baby is between three and six months old. Hello Baby offers mentoring support for the family, a free and informative gift bag, and ongoing phone support after the family arrives home with the new baby. The Prenatal Care Program provides up-to-date information on how to have a healthy pregnancy. The center also offers a Treasure Chest filled with basic needs items for children under the age of three, one-night parenting workshops and classes, booths at local health fairs, support groups, and other on-going programs throughout the year. Our newest program is the Parents Alone Raising Kids (PARK) Program. PARK is a four-tiered program made up of the Cooperative Parenting Program (CPP), Single Parent Support Groups, Family Life Works Educational Classes, and Support Services.

History:
The National Exchange Club Foundation made the prevention of child abuse its national cause in 1978. The Exchange Club Parent and Child Center was founded in 1996 by Bristol Hospital and the Farmington and Bristol Exchange Clubs. The Center is an affiliate of the National Exchange Club Foundation.

Since its creation in 1996, the center has grown from its part-time status offering parenting workshops as its focal program. The center now operates full-time with day and evening hours and has created multiple programs to be a full-service support to families in need.

Contact people:

Kimberly Carmelich, Executive Director/Coordinator, (phone), (email) Sandra Godin, Parent Educator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (860) 585-3954

Address:

9 Prospect Street Bristol, CT 06010 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.bristolhospital.org/services_parentchildcenter.htm

Directions:

The Parent and Child Center at Bristol Hospital is located in the Funk Building, on the corner of Main Street and Prospect Street in Bristol. The Center's entrance, shared with the WIC Program, is located at 9 Prospect Street in Bristol.

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