Grace

In 2016, Debbie came to Family Life Child and Family Development Center (CFDC) with hopes of enrolling her four-year-old granddaughter, Grace, in our preschool program. Since it was almost the end of the school year and no preschool slots were available, Grace was placed on the wait list for the program. Debbie was concerned about Grace’s behavior and inquired about alternatives to the preschool program, so we connected her with Ms. Suzann Fenton, who oversees our Parents Are Teachers program. After some initial consultation with Ms. Fenton, Debbie enrolled Grace into the program. Grace and Debbie immediately began receiving regular in-home visits through the Parents Are Teachers program, providing them with support, resources, one-on-one attention, and advocacy. Grace started preschool at Family Life CFDC the following fall.

Grace’s grandmother, Debbie, and grandfather, Tommy, provide her with a loving and stable home. Debbie works outside of the home and Tommy, who is disabled, spends most of his time at home taking care of Grace. Tommy sees to Grace’s basic needs and puts her on the bus each morning with a smile. In order to allow safe access in and out of the trailer for Tommy, CAP’s Housing Program built a ramp at the front door.

Grace is one-of-a-kind. She is a very independent little girl who loves to help out in the classroom and remind her peers of the classroom rules. Teachers work with Grace daily to address any behavior issues that may arise. The staff of Family Life CFDC equips Grace’s grandparents with behavior techniques, suggestions, and resources so they can address her development at home. Grace has made substantial progress in the year that CAP has been involved in her life.

Jennifer Didelot, head teacher at the preschool, has observed a remarkable transformation in Grace since the beginning of the year. Grace initially had trouble interacting with her peers and struggled to follow the classroom rules – this is certainly no longer the case. Grace has bloomed into a social butterfly. She has become an asset to the classroom, helping her teachers and her peers alike. Grace graduated from the CFDC program a few weeks ago and in the fall she will attend kindergarten. Our staff and volunteers are confident that Grace is prepared to succeed as she takes that next step.

-Written by Sharon Goff, Manager of Family Life Child & Family Development Center