Letter to the Editor

Napa CAPC Letter to the Editor: Protecting Children Means Supporting All Families

Napa CAPC Letter to the Editor: Protecting Children Means Supporting All Families

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.

Letter to the Editor: Prioritize the welfare of our children

Letter to the Editor: Prioritize the welfare of our children

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.

Thank You Napa Valley Vintners

Thank You Napa Valley Vintners

For more than 20 years, Cope Family Center has been privileged to have the support of the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) which has contributed almost $5 million in that time. This generosity has transformed the lives of thousands of children and their families and helped build a stronger community for all. We are grateful to report that NVV recently announced their support will continue with a grant of $250,000.

Letter to the Editor: Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community Protects Children

Letter to the Editor: Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community Protects Children

By affirming LGBTQ+ identities and passing laws in support of the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people, LGBTQ+ children and youth are better protected. Anti-LGBTQ+ laws and rhetoric actively harm children in the community, and anyone who cares about the wellbeing of children and youth should oppose this hateful and discriminatory legislation.

Supporting family mental health protects children

Supporting family mental health protects children

It is particularly difficult to be a parent in the U.S. right now; attacks on reproductive rights, a lack of affordable childcare, inadequate parental leave, and the fear and uncertainty around children’s safety in school make this a stressful time to raise a child.

These factors, as well as inadequate and inequitable medical care for many pregnant people and a lack of affordable mental health care overall can make the stress overwhelming for some parents. This stress can have a negative effect on children, making it particularly important to establish a solid support system for struggling parents.

Letter from Board Chair: Cope's Next Phase of Growth

Letter from Board Chair: Cope's Next Phase of Growth

On behalf of the entire board of Cope Family Center, I want to thank Michele Grupe for her dedicated leadership as she prepares to step away from the organization after 19 years of service. I have had the privilege of working with Michele since 2014 and have been a board member for the past six years working with Michele since she began her role as Executive Director.  Michele has been an asset beyond all expectations for Cope and the community at large. 

Letter from Christie Johnston: Normalize the fear of parenting

Letter from Christie Johnston: Normalize the fear of parenting

As a Social Worker for Napa Valley Unified School District, I get an intimate look at the role parents and caregivers play in preparing their children for the classroom. In supporting students through various challenges that prevent them from learning, I have seen firsthand how struggles in the home affect a child’s success in school. Parents play a vital role in their child’s academic success, and stressors in the home, such as divorce, mental health problems, insecure housing, and other economic instability can take a toll on students.

Letter from Eric Notson: Thank You Cope Family Center

Letter from Eric Notson: Thank You Cope Family Center

In honor of Positive Parenting Awareness Month, I want to share my story about how Cope Family Center’s parenting classes have helped transform my relationship with my daughter. Ten years ago, I was divorced and battling addiction, and I struggled to be present and committed in my daughter’s life. In fact, there were long periods when I wasn’t in contact with my daughter at all.