Our team has been working remotely for just over 10 weeks. We’ve adapted our services to be offered remotely so that we can continue to support families with the urgent help and guidance they need through this crisis.
A message of thanks from a mom in the home visiting program.
115 families have had over 400 virtual home visits since the shelter in place order started in Napa County. Families are reaching out to us to make connections and for support through more frequent visits. With fewer eyes on kids, these virtual home visits are even more important now to help keep kids safe.
Single topic, virtual parenting classes are running weekly through May and June to support parents facing added struggles through this difficult time. Children being home all the time creates added pressure for both parents and kids. These parenting classes help relieve some of that stress.
A new Parent Peer Group has started in response to the new challenges parents are facing during these uncertain times. This group will provide parents with suggestions on how to support their children and families through this crisis, while also helping them connect with other parents.
Parents are calling our remote Family Resource Center asking for help and guidance on everything from housing, food insecurity, mental health, transportation and so much more. Many are in crisis and are not sure where to turn. They are met with compassion, given hope and guided to the resources they need.
Last week, a young disabled mother called feeling, “helpless,” as though she had “let her kids down.” At the end of the call, she felt reassured and said, “Thank you for listening to me and helping me come up with a solution.”
Working Behind the Scenes
Cope is proud to be part of the Napa Valley Community Organizations Active in a Disaster (COAD). 93 organizations are working together to meet the urgent needs of our community including childcare, food access, mental health and more. Though you may not hear much about the COAD, aside from this recent feature in the Napa Register, you have likely noticed how organizations have been able to jump into action and meet the growing needs of our community. Your support of Cope supports the work of the COAD too.
Mandated Reporter Trainings teach childcare workers, teachers, therapists and others who work closely with children how to recognize signs of abuse and how to report it so that it can be investigated.
These trainings have been modified to fit our current situation. For many children sheltering at home, the only people they see, aside from their households, is their teacher through a virtual class or their home visitor through their virtual visits. Making sure those teachers and other professionals have the skills to recognize warning signs in a virtual setting is essential for keeping children safe.