(CHildren Encouraged by Relationships In Secure Homes)
CHERISH is an infant and early childhood mental health-focused ESIT (Early Support for Infants and Toddlers) service, established at Kindering in 2004. It is designed to meet the unique needs of children (ages 0-3) involved in the child welfare system. Our multidisciplinary providers receive specialized training and ongoing support from Kidering's training team to offer CHERISH services that create and promote attachment security and that decrease the number of unnecessary placement disruptions in a child's life. We support reunifications whenever possible and encourage relationships between caregivers and parents. CHERISH supports are individualized for each child with thier parent and/or caregiver, but generally included:
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Developmental evaluation
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Relationship-based home vising with regulating activities
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Parent/caregiver support regarding child welfare system navigation
ELIGIBILITY
In order to receive CHERISH services, children must be:
> under the age of 3 at the time of referral
> in an active dependency (child welfare legal case)
> qualify for ESIT at an agency where there are CHERISH-certified providers, including South Sound Parent to Parent!
REFERRALS
Anyone can referral a child for CHERISH services at South Sound Parent to Parent!
Connect with program lead:
COSTS
ESIT is publicly funded and services, including CHERISH, are FREE to parents and caregivers (relatives and foster parents). The training that allows teams to offer CHERISH services is made possible by generous funding by community partners.
MEET THE CHERISH TEAM AT SOUTH SOUND PARENT TO PARENT
We have a solid understanding of the child welfare system. We are qualified to provide family support, social/emotional developmental interventions, case management, advocacy, and resources/referrals. We will work together to address the issues identified in your child’s developmental assessment. You know your family’s needs and what concerns you have about your child. Working together, with a focus on what is going well, we will help you and your child with any struggles you are facing. Since young children develop primarily in relationships, we will support your emotional health needs as well. Your well-being and your child’s well-being are linked. Our goal is for your child to experience smooth transitions and to build the emotional and social skills needed to grow into a healthy adult.
CHERISH LEAD:
Amanda Ernst
Early Support Specialist
CHERISH PROVIDERS:
Heather Powers Jordan Kennedy
Social and Emotional Specialist Social and Emotional Specialist
hpowers@ssp2p.org jkennedy@ssp2p.org
CHERISH FAMILY RESOURCES COORDINATORS:
Amy Neal Molly Davidson Tonya Lunghofer Kaity Mayo
aneal@ssp2p.org mdavidson@ssp2p.org tlunghofer@ssp2p.org kmayo@ssp2p.org