Posted with a Purpose

Resource Board Empowers Families Seeking Support

At Clouds of Joy Preschool and Learning Center in Evansville, a simple bulletin board serves as a connection to community resources – and a starting point for deeper conversations.

In an effort to ensure all families had access to helpful information, preschool staff installed a family resource board in the center’s lobby to highlight various community support programs, adding materials and updating information as needed. Last week, the board displayed application guidelines for On My Way Pre-K funds, information about an emergency rental assistance program, WIC program offerings, a pamphlet focused on mental health for caregivers and a list of local restaurants providing free or discounted children’s meals, among other items.

“We decided to create a central area to share these types of resources since not everyone feels comfortable asking for support,” said Kailee Kremer, assistant director. “You may never know what’s going on behind the scenes, so it’s important to us to provide resources in a safe, non-judgmental space.”

Since installing the resource board, staff have noticed that most families stop and review the information at some point in the week, often taking a photo of contact information or grabbing a flyer to take home. “The nice part is it gives the family some privacy,” said Kremer. “No one knows if they are looking at the restaurant list or the housing assistance, so the family has control over what they want to share.”

Families are encouraged to let leadership know if they would like additional support outside the child care setting, and the center’s administrators maintain ties with community organizations to leverage those connections on behalf of families in need. In one case, a former student’s mother worked at the YMCA Women and Children’s Shelter and staff were able to use her knowledge and resources to help another family in need of housing.

Additionally, the center’s owners, administrators and teachers collect donations each winter to provide food baskets to families in need of extra cheer around the holidays.

Director Dejong Washington encourages new child care providers to dig deeper and seek out opportunities to connect with families beyond the typical daily reports.

“Try to be as observant as possible to the families in your care,” she said. “We always want to be open and honest when connecting with a family who we noticed may be struggling a bit. It’s a fine line because you don’t always know how someone will react to an offer of assistance, but if we can open that door to an honest conversation, that’s when we can really learn more about the family and find ways to support.”