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Kyrene Infant Development Program
Helping new parents, right from the start.
Helping
New Parents
Raising a child in today's world is difficult at best.
Added pressures like single parenthood, financial stress
and/or unemployment and this task can quickly become
overwhelming. Although many parents get the help and
encouragement they need, far too many young families
have nowhere to turn when they are in need of support.
Often, it is the most vulnerable family member - an
infant or toddler - who becomes the target of tension
and frustration. But this painful cycle can be prevented
by helping new parents, right from the start.
Strengthening Families
To be sure that all new parents get the help they need,
Southwest Human Development and the Kyrene School
District have launched the Kyrene Infant Development
(KID) Program. This program is designed to strengthen
families from pregnancy and through the crucial first
five years of their child's life. Highly trained Family
Support Specialists visit families regularly in their
own homes. During these visits, the Family Support
Specialist:
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Encourages positive play and interaction among
family members
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Provides
information about pregnancy and child development
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Helps
the family with both long and short term problem
solving
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Connects
the family with a variety of community services
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Connects
the family with the medical community by locating a
primary care physician who will be familiar with the
family and their needs
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Promotes
and supports appropriate prenatal care
Enhancing
a Child's Growth
The purpose of the KID Program is to make
sure that all new parents, particularly those facing
many challenges, get their babies off to a good start in
life. Experience shows that supporting parents beginning
with pregnancy and through the first five years of their
child's life can significantly reduce the risk factors
associated with abuse and neglect.
The Kyrene Infant Development
Program is based on over two decades of research and
experience. Home visiting programs like KID have proven
to be very effective in enhancing a child's growth and
development, strengthening families and making parents
better able to utilize community resources in caring for
their children.
Program Referral
Family needs are assessed when a woman is pregnant, or
soon after a baby is born. Following a screening and
interview by a trained Family Assessment Worker,
families may be eligible to enter the program. Families
may also become involved with the KID program through
community referrals.
Program
Goals
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