Parent Enrichment Program (PEP)
Impact
Intensive Case Management (ICM)
Kids on the Move (KOM)
Gateway
Parent Trust
Darrington Family Support and Resource Center
Teen Parent Advocacy
Education, outreach, community connections and support for a rural community. The Darrington Family Support and Resource Center strengthens families and helps build a healthy community through individual and family support services; interactive parenting programs; community-building events; youth programs; leadership development and personal empowerment. It serves as the primary connection to social services for an isolated rural community affected by long-term unemployment.
How it works
As with all Deaconess programs, the Darrington Family Support Center is based on the family support model, building on individual strengths to promote family well-being.
Community-led program – Advisory Council members help guide the creation of programs that meet existing and emerging community needs.
Parent support – Parenting classes bring together parents and children in educational activities that encourage development of positive, healthy relationships, while weekly support groups give parents an opportunity to not only share concerns and solutions, but also celebrate life events.
Youth programs – An on-site youth center gives local adolescents a safe place to engage in recreational activities with their peers after school, do homework at several public-access computer stations, or just “hang out.” Tutoring services, field trips, dances, late-night activities and other special events also provide teens and pre-teens with opportunities to gather together in a supervised, alcohol- and drug-free setting. Other youth services at Darrington include self-esteem workshops; mentoring; arts-and-craft projects; and classes in job- and life-skills development. The youth also run their own coffee shop and bookstore at the center.
Case management – Deaconess’ family support specialists work with residents to develop and implement self-determined goals and an action plan, referring them to community services such as counseling or financial aid for basic needs. Staff members also connect participants to programs for senior services, self-directed support groups, and anger-management, job-hunting and budgeting classes.
Contact information: Wyonne Perrault • Program Administrator • (360) 436-0308
PO Box 1103 • 1085 Darrington St. • Darrington, WA 98241
What it does
Deaconess supports Darrington residents in their efforts to achieve the following outcomes:
- increased parenting and family management skills
- improved parent-child interaction
- increased knowledge and use of effective communication and conflict-resolution skills
- leadership development and community involvement
- decreased social isolation
- increased knowledge and use of community resources
Extra support with specific needs:
- basic needs, such as food, clothing, housing, energy or prescription assistance
- information on health, nutrition and safety
- family-oriented recreational activities
Collaborating agencies
Deaconess works in partnership with a number of other agencies to deliver services through the Darrington Center, including: the Darrington School District, Compass Health, Snohomish County, Kid’s Place, Housing Hope, Lutheran Community Services, the Community Leveraging Team (CLT), and Volunteers of America. Principal funding is provided by Snohomish County, Snohomish County Community Mobilization, the United Way of Snohomish County, private foundations and individual donors.
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Bev’s story: from caregiver to college student
As the oldest child in her family, 19-year-old Bev had assumed the role of primary caregiver for her three younger siblings. Because of her record of sporadic school attendance, she was still only in 10th grade as her 20th birthday approached. It was then that Bev visited the Darrington Family Support and Resource Center for help.
After a meeting with Deaconess’ family support specialist, her parents, siblings and a representative of the high school, it was determined that Bev would be a good candidate for the federal Job Corps program.
Darrington center staff members helped her obtain a birth certificate, Social Security card and immunization records, and then helped her gather school supplies and clothes, through Operation School Bell. During the month before the program began, Bev volunteered at the support center, answering phones, filing, and making and selling holiday wreaths. When it came time for her first day at Job Corps, she was accompanied by the Darrington family support specialist, who drove her to the program site in Sedro-Woolley.
Many months later, Deaconess staff members transported Bev’s family to her high school graduation ceremony, where she was awarded her diploma and Culinary Arts certificate. She is now pursuing her Associate’s Degree at an area community college, and is looking forward to continuing her education at a four-year institution.
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