This page lists the programs available through the Family & Children's Council of Black Hawk County. Please click on the navigation buttons to the left for more information about these programs.

"Parent to Parent" is a program designed to assist parents of newborns. Volunteers offer parents support, information and encouragement during the first months of the baby's life. The volunteer is there to help find answers to important parenting questions, locate community resources, listen to concerns, and share in the joy of a new child.

"Parent Connection" and "Parent Connection for Teens" matches volunteers with families that may be undergoing various types of stress (such as financial, lack of transportation, no phone access, or parenting issues). Volunteers visit a family for at least six months offering emotional support, help in locating resources and serve as a positive role model. Further parent skill development support is available through an on-staff family caseworker for families who need intensive parenting support services.

"Neighborhood Family Groups" provide parent education and support to families living in a common neighborhood and/or experiencing common experiences (such as having children who go to the same school and/or being from the same cultural background or religious affiliation). The program focuses on using tradition and history to build upon family strengths and improve parenting.

Parenting a late elementary or middle school student is often a challenging task. "The Strengthening Families Program" helps families with a child this age cope with the transition between childhood and adolescence. The curriculum invites parents and their student to attend, and focuses on issues such as puberty, making good decisions, and communication.

"Parent Skill Development" helps families improve their parenting skills using the Nurturing Program Curriculum. The program is taught one-on-one in the family’s home or at the Family & Children’s Council Office. Issues covered in the curriculum include using effective discipline, understanding age appropriate behaviors, establishing family rules, and stress management techniques.

The Family & Children's Council offers "Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training", which is a quarterly certification/re-certification training session in child abuse identification and reporting. Trainings avail both in person and online.
 

In "Take Charge of Your Body," volunteers are trained to present a prepared curriculum to elementary children on how they can stay safe from children sexual abuse. Volunteers explain what is good touch/bad touch and self-protection for the children. The "Say NO! Get away and tell someone!" message is presented one or two times each year during the school year.

 

If you would like to become a volunteer, please call FCC at (319) 234-7600.