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At The Children’s Trust, we understand a fundamental truth: for children to have the best chance at developing into healthy, happy, and productive adults, parents and caregivers must also care for their well-being.
Parenting, while filled with joy and purpose, is a demanding journey, and today’s parents face unprecedented challenges. That is why The Children’s Trust is committed to providing the resources and support parents need not only for children themselves but also for those whose responsibility is to care for them.
A recent Advisory on Mental Health & Well-Being of Parents by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, “Parents Under PressureParents Under Pressure,” sheds light on parents’ current situation. The advisory highlights the immense stress modern parents face due to not only traditional concerns like financial security and child health but also contemporary issues such as social media, technology, youth mental health concerns, and loneliness. These pressures can feel overwhelming, but with the right support, parents can manage them effectively.
Supporting pParents tThrough Thrive by 5
Affordable, high-quality child care is one of the most impactful ways to reduce parental stress considering the difficulties many parents and caregivers have finding it. Through The Trust’s Thrive by 5 Early Childhood Quality Improvement System, we aim to make early education accessible and transformative. This initiative, which is a multi-part and cohesive system, helps give working parents access to high-quality child care, provides educators with salary incentives for professional development and continuous learning, and supports high-quality child care centers in underserved areas. Last year alone, Thrive by 5 supported over 320 programs, serving more than 25,000 children.
Parents can learn more about these programs and find the support they need at TheChildrensTrust.org/Thriveby5.
Healthcare aAccess for fFamilies
Healthcare can be another significant stressor for parents. While national efforts strive to address access in general, The Children’s Trust’s HealthConnect in Our Schools program funds health clinics across 145 Miami-Dade public schools, serving over 108,000 students annually. These clinics provide first aid, medical assessments, and mental health services, often representing a child’s only access to care.
Next school year, the health services will extend to all public schools and introduce the utilization of telehealth across the serviced schools.
In addition to school-based clinics, Trust-funded mobile health clinics offer free pediatric, dental, vision, and vaccination services. Our Benefits Enrollment initiative helps parents access Florida KidCare and other health-related benefits.
Visit TheChildrensTrust.org/HealthConnect to learn more.
Parenting workshops and community support
The surgeon general believes the country needs a cultural shift in how we value parents, encouraging communities to rally around them without judgment or shame. At The Children’s Trust, we foster this support through a large variety of parenting programs, including our Parent Club workshops, available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, both in-person and online. These free 60-minute sessions address topics like the building blocks of positive parenting, how to raise resilient children, and more. They provide a safe space for parents to share experiences and learn from each other. Some sessions even offer free child care based on availability.
We also fund evidence-based parenting programs that build on families’ strengths to help parents overcome difficult situations. Details about these programs are available at TheChildrensTrust.org/ParentClub and TheChildrensTrust.org/Parenting.
Building a hHealthier cCommunity
At The Children’s Trust, we are deeply aligned with the surgeon general’s recommendations. We believe that supporting parents isn’t just about responding to immediate needs but also creating a healthier, stronger community for generations. Whether through childd care initiatives, health programs, or parenting workshops, we remain committed to ensuring parents and children have the resources to thrive.
James Haj is president and CEO of The Children’s Trust.
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