VERO BEACH — The Indian River Community Foundation recently awarded $15,000 to support CASTLE in replicating an evidenced-based parenting and family strengthening program in Indian River County.
“Strengthening Families is a nationally and internationally recognized parenting and family-strengthening program for high-risk families,” said Kerry Bartlett, Executive Director of the Indian River Community Foundation. “It has been proven to significantly reduce behaviour
problems with children and strengthen parental bonds.”
CASTLE is already offering the program in St. Lucie County at no cost to families. This grant will bring the program to Indian River County over the course of two, seven week sessions. The program offers three main interventions: parenting skills training, social skills training for
children and family skills training. Each meeting is two and half hours, targeting families with children between the ages of 10 and 14. The program incorporates a family dinner to make the sessions convenient and give families an opportunity to practice skills they learn during the
sessions.
Doug Borrie, Assistant Director of CASTLE, said the organization will begin recruiting families for the program in August, with the first session launching September 15. CASTLE is collaborating with leadership from Youth Guidance to identify potential families.
“We are very pleased to have Youth Guidance as a partner in this project,” Borrie said. “So many Indian River County families already know the services Youth Guidance provides. They will also assist with recruiting volunteers for child care during the sessions and preparing the weekly family meal.”
The Strengthening Families grant was one of four grants recently awarded by the Indian River Community Foundation through an unrestricted fund. Contributions to the unrestricted fund from eight philanthropically minded individuals who requested guidance in finding charitable programs that address the root causes of time-sensitive community issues. The competitive grant process focused on well-tested models, collaborative work, knowledge of the sector and clearly defined measures of success. Strengthening Families was one of four grants awarded.
The Indian River Community Foundation currently holds nearly $9 million in assets, the majority of which are in Donor Advised funds, Bartlett said. Periodically, the foundation will receive unrestricted funds from donors which allow for grant programs such as this.
For more information contact Bartlett at 772) 492-1407 or Kerry@ircommunityfoundation.com
