| About Us |
Like you, we know that the physical, economic and social well being of the entire family is critical in creating bright futures for children. The desire to do what is best for their children is something that all parents share, but sometimes they need help in meeting the many challenges that arise. Through Cope Family Center’s full range of parent education and family support services, parents get the skills necessary to nurture a healthy and happy family. Cope can help in the following areas:
First time parent concerns
Parents of pre-teens and teens
Families dealing with divorce or separation
Childhood obesity
Poverty
Violence
"Cope is like a home away from home. They make me feel so comfortable when I walk in the door. My son and I love going to the toddler class together.”Cope Family Center parent
Our Family Resource Center is a space for parents and children to interact, connect with other families, learn important parenting and life skills, and access a myriad of community services. Through these activities, social isolation is reduced, resources are shared, and families create a network of support.
Founded in 1972, Cope Family Center is dedicated to supporting parents and nurturing children through parent education, family support services, and child advocacy programs. |
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| First time parent concerns |
| Approximately 2,000 families will have children in Napa County this year. For many, it will be their first experience raising a child. The first years of a child’s life are essential to build a strong foundation. These parents will need support and education about the “job” of parenting. Pre/post natal programs address medical problems as well as educate parents about child development, parent-child relationships, nutrition, stress management and much more. |
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| Parents of pre-teens and teens |
Data from the 2003 California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) indicate an alarming increase in substance use between 7th and 9th grades. Results show that 9% of 7th graders and 30% of 9th graders reported use of alcohol or other drugs in the past 30 days.
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| Families dealing with a divorce or seperation |
| In the United States today, one out of every two marriages ends in divorce. In Napa County, there is one divorce each day involving families with children under 18 years of age. While parents have therapists, mediators and attorneys with whom they can talk about the divorce, children often have no one. They are confused and often blame themselves for the divorce or separation. |
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| Childhood obesity |
The most recent data for Napa County (2002) from the CDC Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance Survey showed that 31% of children under 5 are either at risk of being overweight or overweight, and 43% of 5-19 year olds are either at risk or overweight. The causes of obesity are complex and include genetic, biological, behavioral and cultural factors.
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| Poverty |
| Today, many families are living paycheck to paycheck to provide the basic necessities for their children. Many aren’t making it… In Napa, 11% of children live in poverty. When children live in poverty, they are at greater risk for current or future behavior problems, such as aggression, fighting, anxiety, withdrawal, depression, and delinquency. |
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| Violence |
| Violence can impact children in their homes, neighborhoods, schools and parks. Children exposed to violence and maltreatment suffer increased depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress, anger, alcohol and drug abuse and lower academic achievement. By the time a child reaches the age of 18, the probability that he or she will have experienced family or community violence, either as a victim or a witness, is one in four. In 2004, 1,446 reports of child abuse, including physical and sexual abuse and general neglect, were reported to Napa County Child Protective Services. Early childhood is a critical time during which essential intellectual and emotional abilities form. Child abuse victims are six times more likely to continue the cycle of violence and become abusive parents than non-abused children. In addition, childhood abuse increases the odds of future delinquency and adult criminality overall by 40%. |
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