New name, same great program

 

The Parent-Child Home Program (PCHP), a leading early childhood, school readiness program working in 116 communities across 15 states and five countries, is proud to announce the launch of its new name and brand identity – ParentChild+ (pronounced Parent-Child Plus)!

 

Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS), operates ParentChild+ in Minnesota, serving over 300 families in the Twin Cities metro and greater Minnesota communities, including Cass County and – new this program year – St. Cloud. More than 100 children and their families graduated JFCS’ ParentChild+ program in May 2019, its largest graduating class yet. JFCS will kick off the next program year this fall, serving more than 325 children and their families.

 

ParentChild+ is a free, intensive home visiting program for families with children ages 2-4 that supports families with school readiness, parenting skills and child development. It helps under-served children bridge the opportunity gap and prepare them for success in school by bringing highly-trained early learning specialists into the families’ homes for twice-weekly visits over a two-year period. ParentChild+ Family Child Care (FCC) Model is a component of the program that provides comparable services to family child care providers and allows a broader community reach.

 

Research shows participation in ParentChild+ increases not only school readiness, but high school graduation rates. Children who participated in ParentChild+ graduated high school at a rate 30 percent higher than their socio-economic peers, and were 50 percent more likely to be ready for kindergarten.

 

The program’s new name, ParentChild+, is designed to demonstrate its reach and power. For the families who participate, school readiness is only one benefit gained from the program. Families are also provided with educational and growth opportunities that help build parent-child attachment, school success and connection to community resources. The program enhances the way parents interact with their children and supports them as they learn they are their child’s most important teacher.

 

With its new brand, the plus sign in ParentChild+ symbolizes how all the components of the program strengthen, support, and add to the power of the parent-child bond. It represents both the materials and services families receive, as well as the strengthening of their child care providers. Also represented in the plus sign are all the program’s funders, supporters, community partners, and advocates.

 

“When developing the new name, we made sure that the words ‘parent’ and ‘child’ were connected, touching, and bonded as they should be,” said Sarah Walzer, ParentChild+ CEO. “We added a plus sign because we partner with parents to support their children’s school readiness, increasing the chance for a better life. The plus pays homage to our families, staff, our funders. Together, we add new opportunities.”

 

For more information on the national ParentChild+ program, visit www.parentchildplus.org. For more information on JFCS’ ParentChild+ program, click here!