Grant aids program for high-risk families

The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation awarded the Healthy Families of the High Desert $10,000 to provide additional one-on-one counseling and parent support groups to high-risk families enrolled in the program.

Healthy Families of the High Desert is a program of the High Desert Education Service District.

“With the support from Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation, Healthy Families will be able to provide additional mental health counseling and support to families of newborns,” said Kathy Thompson, program manager of Healthy Families of the High Desert. “Extra support at a time of uncertainty in their new role as a parent reduces the potential for child maltreatment.”

Since 1997, the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation has awarded more than $10 million dollars in grants to community non-profit organizations in seven Oregon counties.

“The Cow Creek Foundation’s focus on children and families is reflected in the work of Healthy Families of the High Desert’s programs which assist families in teaching positive communication and coping strategies, promoting healthy relationships, and developing techniques to deal with stressful situations” said Carma Mornarich, executive director for the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation. “We at the Foundation are proud to partner in this work in the hopes that it will make a positive difference in the lives of these families.”

Healthy Families of the High Desert is an evidenced based child abuse prevention program providing first time parents with home visitation and parent education services. For more information, please visit: http://www.hdesd.org/services/healthy-families-high-desert