JOHN DAY – Families First Parent Resource Center recently received two grants to enhance its parenting and family programs.

In June, Oregon Community Foundation Regional Action Initiative representative Judy Krutsinger presented a check to the Families First board for $35,000 for year two of a three-year award.

Families First executive director Teresa Aasness said that the grant will help introduce the 40 developmental assets to the community, and to link families, schools, agencies, organizations and services, “to ensure that all families are utilizing opportunities available in Grant County.”

In the first year of the award, Families First offered parenting classes, workshops and/or youth activities at several county schools: Dayville, Humbolt Elementary, Seneca, Prairie City, Mt. Vernon Middle, and Blue Mountain Education Center.

It also created a community resource guide and did surveys to identify the developmental assets – defined as skills and values that provide a framework to help children grow into healthy and responsible adults – are available in Grant County.

Aasness said a forum will be held in the fall to discuss the results and develop ways to increase assets for area youth.

Families First also received a $10,000 award from Trust Management Services for its Parents as Teachers home visitation program.

“Basic home visiting services cost an average of $3,235 per child per year,” Aasness said. “We shoulder the additional burden of excessive travel costs going to outlying areas of Grant County with 42 percent of our Parents as Teachers families.”

Families First currently serves 19 families and 28 children with the PAT program.

Aasness said research shows participating PAT children are significantly more advanced in several developmental areas than comparison children.

“The program is designed to ensure that all children will learn, grow and develop to their full potential,” she said.

For more information about Families First, contact Aasness at 541-575-1006.