"We See the Change"
Respectful Support that Transforms Families
"It takes courage to ask for help and we are honored that they trust us with their families.”
Program Director Julie Murphy has long been interested in supporting parents in parenting, even before she was a parent herself. Over the past twelve years at Cope, she has helped provide countless families with the support they need to provide a safe, loving and healthy home for their children. "Many families come to Cope filled with fear and concern,” Julie shared. “As we spend a little bit of time with them, we see the change on their faces as they start to realize they've come to the right place.”
Our Parent Education and Support services offer a variety of ways families can get help with parenting challenges. As Julie explained, “We try to strengthen family relationships by giving skill building and support to families. Our Triple P – Positive Parenting Program helps parents build their skills in managing the daily challenges of parenting as well as understand the importance of their relationship with their child and how that is the foundation for all parenting.”
"It's really powerful to see parents being proud of themselves and recognizing their strengths."
Our Healthy Families™ Home Visiting program provides more intensive guidance, working with families prenatally and through 3-5 years of the child's life. “It's a very comprehensive program that enhances the parent-child interaction and the understanding of growth and development that parents need to help foster that in their children. It also builds the community connections that helps families access community resources and feel like a part of the larger community. The program also helps parents build goals for themselves as well as for their children and their families.”
"Parenting is very complex,” Julie said. “It's a role that is impacted by our own experiences as children and our relationship with our own parents”. Cope helps families understand how adverse experiences in childhood impacted them and how it affects their current parenting and, equally important, we also help parents recognize the positive strengths they bring to parenting. "Several years ago, I worked with a family in our home visitation program: a young pregnant mom and her partner," recalled Julie. "The mom didn't know what help she needed but she knew that she wanted break the cycle of abuse and neglect. As we worked together over the years, I saw her become more aware of how her past impacted her and how her own resiliency enabled her to make good choices now. It’s really powerful to see parents being proud of themselves and recognizing their strengths."
Julie takes great pride in Cope's commitment to welcoming families without judgment. "It is so important to treat each person who comes in the door with respect. Regardless of background, life experiences or income level, all parents need a little support sometimes. It takes courage to ask for help and we are honored that they trust us with their families.”
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This story is featured in our 2017 Impact Report. You can view the full digital report to learn more about Cope's impact and read more featured stories like Julie's.