JOHN F KENNEDY MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

SAFECARE AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS: SAFECARE PROGRAM THE SAFECARE PROGRAM IS FOR FAMILIES EXPECTING A CHILD OR WHO HAVE A CHILD BETWEEN 0-5 YEARS OF AGE AND WAS FUNDED BY FIRST 5 RIVERSIDE UNTIL DECEMBE 2024. THE TEMPORARY CONTRACT WITH DPSS ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, BUT HAS RECENTLY BEEN EXTENDED TO FINISHED EXISTING CLIENTS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2025. THE SAFECARE PROGRAM IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED IN-HOME PARENT TRAINING PROGRAM CONSISTING OF 18 TO 20 WEEKLY SESSIONS, 60 TO 90 MINUTES IN LENGTH. SAFECARE TARGETS RISK FACTORS FOR CHILD NEGLECT AND PHYSICAL ABUSE IN WHICH PARENTS ARE TAUGHT SKILLS IN THREE MODULE AREAS: (1) PARENT-CHILD/PARENT-INFANT INTERACTION, WITH A FOCUS ON HOW TO INTERACT I A POSITIVE MANNER WITH THEIR CHILD, PLAN ACTIVITIES, AND RESPOND APPROPRIATELY TO CHALLENGING CHILD BEHAVIORS; (2) HOME SAFETY, WITH A FOCUS ON HOW TO RECOGNIZE HAZARDS IN THE HOME IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE HOME ENVIRONMENT; AND (3) HEALTH, WITH A FOCUS ON HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS AND INJURY, IN ADDITION TO KEEPING GOOD HEALTH RECORDS. PARENTS AS TEACHERS THE PARENTS AS TEACHERS (PAT) PROGRAM IS AN EVIDENCED-BASED HOME VISITING MODEL FUNDED BY FIRST 5 RIVERSIDE COUNTY. THE TARGET AUDIENCE IS CALWORKS RECIPIENTS WHO ARE PRENATAL MOTHERS OR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGES 0-2 YEARS. THE GOALS ARE TO 1) INCREASE PARENT KNOWLEDGE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVE PARENTING PRACTICES 2) PROVIDE EARLY DETECTION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND HEALTH ISSUES 3) PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND 4) INCREASE CHILDRENS SCHOOL READINESS AND SCHOOL SUCCESS. THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM IS FACILITATED BY THE FOUNDATION'S COMMUNIT OUTREACH SPECIALIST (COS). THE COS SUPPORTS FAMILIES, FROM BROADER POPULATION GROUPS BY INCREASING AND EXPANDING AVAILABLE RESOURCES. THE COS SUPPORTS FAMILY ACCESS BY LINKING FAMILIES TO EXISTING COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES, INCLUDING FIRST 5 RIVERSIDE'S FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS. THE COS HELPS IDENTIFY RESOURCES FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND OTHERS, AND CONNECTS THEM TO A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES AND SUPPORTS, FROM RESPONDING TO FAMILIES IN CRISIS TO PROMOTING CHILDREN'S HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND GENERAL WELL-BEING.