Family Network, A Family Focus Center www.familynetworkcenter.org

Family Network serves parents and children with a parent/care provider-child drop-in center, hosts parent education groups, provides parent/child activities and sponsors after school activities in scattered sites throughout the community. Participants come from a variety of socioeconomic, cultural and religious backgrounds that represent the entire spectrum of the community. The main administrative and program facility is located in the basement of the Presbyterian Church in an east Highland Park neighborhood. Clients are drawn from all socioeconomic levels. Programs include:

• Drop in program

“Baby and me” room, toddler and preschool playrooms and gym, parent lounge, parent education speakers, social work consultation, community information and referral, parent resource library, children’s lending library, weekly dual language program.

• Individual, family groups

Postpartum Depression/Anxiety Support Group, New Mom’s Group, Single Parent Group, family dinner and play nights, Saturday morning winter drop-in gym, Grandparents Together group, intergenerational events.

• Right from the Start/Desde El Principio

Bilingual/Bicultural staff
Hospital and home visits
Prenatal Education Groups
Parent Education Groups
English as a Second Language classes
Home Visiting Services
Parent-child groups/activities
Referral and advocacy

• After-school programs

After school programs with snacks, games, arts and crafts projects, indoor and outdoor play, homework time for children in grades K-5 attending Wayne Thomas, Oak Terrace, Indian Trail, Lincoln and Ravinia Schools.

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Family Services: Education, Prevention, & Counseling, NPF www.famservice.org

Family Service serves children, teens, adults and seniors through prevention activities, educational seminars and counseling programs in Highland Park and Highwood.

• Individual, couple and family therapy: Family Service listens to people in crisis, provides a safe, confidential environment for them to talk, while guiding them to finding creative solutions and healthier coping mechanisms. Clients range from children through the elderly.

• In-Home Family guidance: When it is deemed appropriate, a therapist will visit a client who is too mentally or physically frail to leave the home. Family Service staff help parents create healthy interactive patterns with children and/or their aging parents.

• Community Education programs: Money management workshops, school based parenting workshops, caretaker burnout prevention workshops, home based ESL instruction, naturalization services for documented immigrants and stress management for adults who are out of work.

• Senior Services: Family Service provides consultation and training to local senior centers and to individuals facing the unique challenges brought on by age. Counselors will assist family members, typically sons or daughters who are coping with their parent's changing needs.

• Family Resource Center: Nuestro Center, our bilingual family resource center located on site in North Shore Estates (Highwood) served 713 residents during FY07.

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Highland Park Community Nursery School Day Care Center www.hpcommunity.org

Highland Park Community Nursery School and Day Care Center offers a wide variety of enriching, affordable nursery school and day care programs designed to enhance the emotional, social, cognitive and physical development of young children utilizing Reggio Emilia approach. The center is located in the Karger Center in downtown Highland Park .

• Serves 75 pre-school age children in half-day programs.
• Extended care and “lunch bunch” are also available for 4-year olds.
• Before school care for 5- 10 year olds.
• Serves 85 children in part-time and full-time day care.
• After kindergarten enrichment program.
• State Preschool for All Program with wrap around child care services for working parents.
• Summer camp program.
• Language and behavioral assessments of children to determine eligibility of additional services in conjunction with NSSD 112.

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Highland Park/Highwood Home Child Care Association www.hphhomechildcare.com

The mission of the Highland Park/Highwood Home Child Care Association is to ensure that the infants and toddlers of working parents have access to care and education in our community.

Currently there are 7 licensed educators and 2 more undergoing the licensing process, who take an active part in Association activities, geared to maintaining a high level of services to local families. At present 50 children are being served in these homes.

The Association offers:

• Information and training for prospective educators and others.

• Training and technical assistance for those currently offering child care and early childhood education.

• Guidance for parents seeking child care, including information about State of Illinois licensing requirements.

• Resources, including the services of a licensed social worker and an early childhood expert.

• A Student Scholarship Program for low-income students at Highland Park High School who must find care for their infants so the students can earn their diplomas.

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Tri-Con Child Care Center www.triconchildcare.com

Tri-Con Child Care Center provides early care and education. Support services for the families are also coordinated through the Center.
Tri-Con’s programs provide:

• Service to 60 full day care children in the Trinity church basement on the edge of downtown Highland Park.

• After-kindergarten enrichment.

• Summer camp.

• Coordination of vision and hearing screenings for Center children.

• Language and behavioral assessments of children to determine eligibility for additional services in conjunction with NSSD 112.

• Coordination of food and clothing drives for families in need.

• Parent informational seminars and social events.

• Bilingual lending Library (in conjunction with HP Public Library).

• Community volunteer opportunities for both students and adults.

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