May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it is more important than ever to recognize that supporting the mental health of parents is foundational to the health and wellbeing of children and families.
Parenting has never been easy, but the pressures on families today are especially intense. From the high cost of living and childcare to a lack of paid family leave and mental health services, families are expected to navigate complex challenges with minimal support.
As members of the Napa County Child Abuse Prevention Council, we were encouraged to see President Trump affirm the importance of preventing child abuse in his proclamation recognizing April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. We agree wholeheartedly with his statement that “… the most powerful safeguard against child abuse is a stable family with loving parents…”
But we must respectfully—and firmly—disagree with the narrow definition of what makes a family. Children thrive in many kinds of families, regardless of their caregiver’s gender, sexual orientation, or marital status. What children need most is safety, nurturing, and love—not rigid ideals of what a family should look like.
Villegas’ road to nursing wasn’t easy or speedy. It took grit, determination and turning to the Napa community for support to achieve her dreams. Looking back on her first year as a nurse at Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center, Villegas said she can’t help but think about the people who propelled her toward destiny.
Although Villegas knew she wanted to become a nurse, she said juggling multiple jobs to afford living in Napa made attending college nearly impossible. Then, in her 30s, Vilegas gave birth to twin boys, Zion and Kasai, which made going to school feel even more unlikely. That’s when the single mother turned to community resources, where she quickly found the Cope Family Center.
I’m delighted to introduce myself and share this special Blue Ribbon Month newsletter with you. For the past 35 years, I've devoted my career to leading nonprofit organizations, most recently with a decade of service as the Executive Director for the California Association of Food Banks. For the past six years, I've had the pleasure of working with a variety of Bay Area nonprofits as a consultant in the areas of interim leadership, fund development, board and executive coaching, and strategic planning.
Every April, the Napa County Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) commemorates Child Abuse Prevention Month by bringing awareness to this important issue and raising funds to support families and keep children safe. Led by Cope Family Center and comprised of representatives from other nonprofit organizations, the faith-based community, law enforcement and government agencies, CAPC coordinates Napa County’s efforts to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect
The new year is a the perfect time to set fresh goals and intentions — and resolutions aren’t just for adults! Involving children in the process can be a great way to teach them about perseverance and help them build confidence and resilience. Whether it's developing healthier habits, fostering kindness, or learning a new skill, creating resolutions together can strengthen family bonds and set a positive tone for the year ahead.
Cope Family Center, a member of the Napa County Triple P Collaborative (NCTPC), announced that the Napa County Board of Supervisors and the California Assembly have both recognized January as Positive Parenting Awareness Month, highlighting the importance for parents and caregivers to develop warm, nurturing relationships with their children and teens and become more confident as parents.
As advocates for children and families, we at the Napa County Child Abuse Prevention Council join our colleagues in the Greater Bay Area Child Abuse Prevention Council in expressing our deep concern about the harmful effects of developing immigration policies, particularly the proposed expansion of deportations and the "public charge" rule, on the well-being of children in immigrant families.
The U.S. Surgeon General has issued an advisory on the mental health and well-being of parents emphasizing a growing national crisis: parents are facing unprecedented mental health challenges, which directly affect their ability to nurture and support their children. An alarming 41% of parents reported daily stress so severe they struggle to function.
In this issue:
It's back to school season! Read some positive ways to prepare you and your family for a successful school year.
Meet Mayra, a graduate of Cope's Home Visiting Program.
Hope's Chest Fashion Show is back! Read more about the event and reserve your spot.
Fall parenting classes are now enrolling. Learn more and register
A new school year can be an exciting time — new subjects to learn, extracurriculars, and time with friends can make your child eager to get back to school. But back-to-school season can also be a stressful time for many families. Getting back into a regular routine can be hard, and a new school year can bring up anxieties around grades, schedules, and relationships with classmates. Thankfully, there are ways to make the transition easier on you and your child. Read below for some tips for creating a successful school year.
Cope Family Center has elected Shauna Mackenzie to the Board of Directors.
A graduate of California State University Monterey Bay and Sonoma State University Wine Business Institute, Mackenzie has worked with small businesses throughout Napa County for the past fifteen years. She is the founder of Mackenzie Consulting LLC, where she offers outsourced Controller & CFO services specializing in the wine and construction industries. Mackenzie, alongside her husband Martin, is also a proud owner of Three Furies Wines, a boutique Pinot Noir producer.
In this issue:
Kids Day was another hit this year! Read more about the day and see photos of the fun.
Melissa Officer Photography has selected Cope as the beneficiary of her Simply Me campaign! Learn more and schedule your child's portrait session.
Cope is hosting a gift card drive to help families meet their basic needs. Read more to learn how to donate.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Kids Day last month and helped make it a fun-filled event! We are grateful for the many families who attended and the community partners who participated, our dedicated volunteers, the event performers, food vendors, and DJ, and our sponsors the Office of Child Abuse Prevention and City of Napa for helping make this event possible.
After cancelling the April 13 event due to weather, Kids Day has been rescheduled. Hosted by Cope Family Center and the Napa County Child Abuse Prevention, this free, fun, family event will be held on Saturday, May 11 from 11:00am-2:00pm at Oxbow Commons Park on McKinstry Street. There will be over 45 booths with resources for parents, activities, and games for children, as well as food, music, entertainment, and live performances. City of Napa Vice Mayor Bernie Narvaez will be the event’s emcee.
Napa, CA – Cope Family Center and the Napa County Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) announced that April 2023 has been proclaimed Child Abuse Prevention Month by both the Napa County Board of Supervisors and the City of Yountville. The proclamation highlights the role the community plays in supporting Napa County families and preventing child abuse and neglect.
The Napa County Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) commemorates Child Abuse Prevention Month this April by bringing awareness and raising funds “to support families and keep children safe,” said a news release.
Led by Cope Family Center and comprised of representatives from other nonprofit organizations, the faith-based community, law enforcement and government agencies, CAPC coordinates Napa County’s efforts to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect, said the release.
The Greater Bay Area Child Abuse Prevention Council (GBACAPC), comprised of local chapters, have banded together to make a larger impact for Child Abuse Prevention Month. To raise greater awareness, Greater Bay Area Child Abuse Prevention Council Coalition members created an activity calendar so that family and community partners can register and engage throughout the region.
GBACAPC has listed all of the events, trainings, activities and opportunities to get involved regionally on their website. Find out what you can do in your area to strengthen families and protect children.
