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The Fremont County Family Center provides "one stop shopping" for parents looking for fun and educational experiences for themselves and their children. Located at 1333 Elm Ave. in Cañon City, the Family Center is home to a rainbow of services for small kids (0-5) and parents, including:
Early Head Start First Steps Parents As Teachers / Home Visitation Play Groups Teen Parent Groups Welcome Baby Program Denver Child Health Passports ECHO Screenings
The ECHO and Family Center Council. Besides being a place to gather, the Family Center is also a community-based collaboration that involves Starpoint, Canon City Schools, Florence Schools, Fremont County Public Health, West Central Mental Health Center, pediatricians, dentists, licensed child care providers, and parents to name a few.
FAMILY CENTER SERVICES
First Steps Early Head Start is a Federally-funded comprehensive child development program for pregnant women and families with children birth to age 3. Activities range from playgroups and family clubs to a toy and book lending library. One of the cornerstones of the program is a weekly home visit that delivers Parents As Teachers parent education, support, and resources to the family home. Center-based services are also available.
This program is targeted towards low-resource households and has income eligibility requirements. If you think you might qualify, please contact us.
NEWS: Starpoint’s Fremont County Family Center is now an application assistance site for CHP+
CHP+ is low-cost health insurance for Colorado children and pregnant women, and Starpoint’s Fremont County Family Center is now an application assistance site. Give us a call at 719-269-1523 if you have any questions or see our CHP+ informational flyer.
First Steps Parents As Teachers. This is a monthly home visitation program that is available to any and all families, regardless of income levels or special needs. We believe that parents are the first and most influential teacher of their child and that parenting infants, toddlers, and preschoolers can be challenging for all families. We work to ensure that parents have information about how to enhance each stage of their child's natural development.
Many parents say having a Parents As Teachers (PAT) home visitor who serves as mentor, coach, and resource person through the preschool years enhances their overall experience of parenting. If you are interested in enrolling in this valuable program, which is available at no cost, please contact us. All our home visitors are certified PAT educators.
CANON CITY DAILY RECORD PHOTO BY TAMARA MCCUMBERPlay Groups. Community toddler playgroups are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Parents receive information about child development, activities and nutrition. Parents also have the opportunity to socialize with other parents while their children interact in an experience-rich environment. This is a free event and registration is not necessary.
Call 719-269-1523 for info.
Teen Parent Groups. Early parenting teenagers have many groups and classes to choose from, some of which offer high school credits through Canon City High School, Garden Park High School, and Florence High School. Contact your school guidance counselor or call 719-269-1523 for information or click here for complete information.
Welcome Baby Program. Each family in Fremont County with a newborn is greeted at the local hospital with an information packet about the many Early Childhood services available in the community including ongoing home visits through the First Steps Early Head Start and First Steps Parents As Teachers program. A Welcome Baby gift bag with materials provided through Colorado Bright Beginnings is delivered during a home visit.
Denver Child Health Passports. Sponsored by Project ECHO, the Passports are parent-held child health record booklets for children ages birth to 6. They are informative and educational for parents as they keep track of important well-baby check-ups, required immunizations, and growth charts. Parents and child health care providers interact more closely through the use of the Passports for healthier babies and relationships. All families are offered a Passport at St.Thomas More Hospital when they have a newborn baby.
ECHO Developmental Screenings. Ever wonder if your child's development is on track? Are there possible health, developmental or behavioral issues that concern you or your family or doctor? It is possible for you to attend or schedule a simple developmental screening that can relieve your worries; or which can point you in the direction of help if it turns out there is a problem. A team of service provides will work with you to ensure that you and your child and family have the best chance of turning things around if there is indeed a developmental issue. For info, please call the Early Childhood Office at Canon City Schools, 719-276-6174.
