Programs & Projects
The Erie County Care-A-Van, a 38-foot mobile Community Resource Center, provides prevention activities to families and children in the neighborhoods in which they live. In collaboration with over 80 local agencies, the Care-A-Van provides immunizations, parenting information/skill building, health screenings and easy access to agency resources. The Care-A-Van also provides "Keep Baby Safe" kits, a bicycle Helmet safety program, child passenger safety seat checks and a senior safety program. For more information call: (419) 626-5623 Ext. 208.
Erie County's Help Me Grow Program provides parent education and service coordination through home visits to pregnant teenagers and families with children ages birth to three years. The Erie County Health Department, provides a Newborn Home visit to all first time mothers, teen mothers, and mothers requesting a visit within six weeks of the birth of the baby. For more information call (419) 621-3962 ext.171. Additional information can also be obtained by visiting Ohio's Help Me Grow website. Click to view the Help Me Grow Booklet (PDF, 680KB).
Service Coordination and Wraparound is a process which develops and carries out plans for children, individuals and their families who have very complex needs. Families who have used traditional services may find Wraparound helpful in meeting the family's identified needs. The Wraparound process is implemented with the involvement of those people important to the family. Wraparound improves the lives of families by building on their strengths. It encourages them to make helpful, caring connections in the community. The Wraparound process ensures that services are focused on the needs of the individual and his family. For more information call: (410) 624-6355.
Systems of Care -The framework for the System of Care (SOC) initiative describes the Ohio Family and Children First (OFCF) Cabinet's commitment to implement a coordinated continuum of services and supports for all children and families, with an emphasis on behavioral health care. SOC is a broad, flexible array of effective services and supports that focus on family-centered practice, community-based services, strengthening the capacity of families, and providing individualized services. SOC involves an organized, coordinated network (i.e., Family and Children First) that integrates services/supports planning, coordination and management across multiple levels.
Shared Beginnings Program
Since 2002, our county has had the opportunity to manage a Shared Beginnings Program. This program offered through the Federal Reading is Fundamental initiative, is designed to help young parents acquire the skills and self confidence they need to take and active role in developing their child’s reading readiness and interest in books and reading.
First and foremost Shared Beginnings seeks to convey to young parents the importance of nurturing the emergent literacy of their infant and toddler. Through this program our county purchases and distributes over 5,000 books per year to young children and teen parents.
For more information on this program contact: Mary David (419) 602-0150
Erie County Family & Children First Brochure (PDF, 2.38MB)
