Caring Parents

Mission
To engage the entire community so that parents in Bartholomew County are supported by another caring parent, working together to promote healthy relationships between parents and children.

What is Caring Parents?
The Period of Purple Crying
Participant Response
How You Can Help
    Become a Caring Parents Home Visit Volunteer
    Join the Caring Parents Action Team
    Assist with Special Events
    Volunteer as Your Schedule Permits
    Arrange Speaking Engagements
    Promote Book and Bracelet Sales
    Donations of All Kinds Accepted!
Caring Parents Newsletter
2010 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk   
Contact Information  
Be sure to attend this year's Family Fest!

What is Caring Parents?
Caring Parents is a free home visit program offering Bartholomew County's new parents:

    Emotional support and encouragement
    Promotion of strong parent-child bonds 
    Education on the stages of child development
    Tips on stress reduction and parenting skills 
    The latest news in infant care and safety
    Resource referral

Volunteers present a pediatrician-designed curriculum at ages 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.  Topics include infant care, nutrition, crying, home safety, child development and activities. They reinforce the curriculum by taking health and safety gifts to each visit. 

Caring Parents has helped new parents with information and support since 1995. Any parent in Bartholomew County with a child under age 1 may participate in the program by calling Caring Parents at 375-6748.

Participant Response
The letter to Caring Parents explains the impact the program makes on families in our community:

“My other children are older and this program has really helped me keep on track with my son’s development.  It was very nice to have something like this since I did not have this with my other children.

My home visitor was very friendly, understanding, and supportive.  It was really fun and helpful having her come visit with us.  Anytime I needed something, she knew exactly where to find it, or what community resources to refer me to.  I am originally from Trinidad, so I am not very familiar with the community, and I have very little family support here.  Knowing that I had someone to turn to was a relief.

Thank you to the Caring Parents Program for all of the help and information that you shared with my children and me.  It has really helped to make Shemar’s (my son’s) first year special.”

Sincerely, Avril Steele

How You Can Help
Become a Caring Parents Volunteer Home Visitor
If you have just 1-2 hours per month to volunteer, you can make a difference by helping families grow together in healthy ways. Volunteers learn new skills and how to handle challenges during the two 3-hour training sessions. If you would like to give back to the community and feel a sense of accomplishment by working with babies and new parents, please contact Carol Dingledy for additional information. Information and application forms are also available on-line.

Join the Caring Parents Action Team
Do you enjoy advocating for something you believe in?  The Action Team provides Caring Parents with leadership and guidance, promotes the mission of the program, and assists with fundraising.  Meetings are at noon on the second Monday of every even numbered month and last until 1:30p.m. For more information, please contact Carol Dingledy or click here for on-line materials.

Current Action Team members are:
Carol Dingledy, Program Coordinator
Erin Hawkins, Parent Education Specialist
Anita Burton
Margie Campbell
Kristy Carmichael
Ben Gilmore, M.D.
Rebekah Harrison
Jim Holland
Bill Lentz
Marabeth Levett
Shelley McAlister
Beth Morris
Karen Nissen
Audrey Tyree

Help Our Special Events Committee
All of the money raised directly supports the Caring Parents Program and its families. Annual events include the Caring Parents 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk,  jewlery sales, and Family Fest. The Healthy Communities Mill Race Race also benefits Caring Parents. For information on volunteer jobs, time commitment and dates of events, please contact Cathy Shehan .

Volunteer As Your Schedule Permits
Sign up as a one-time or as-needed volunteer.  Share your talents as time permits for periodic tasks and office work. Please contact Cathy Shehan for more information.

Arrange Speaking Engagements
Caring Parents offers a presentation on Crying Education that is adaptable for babysitting clubs, community groups, businesses, scout troops, school classes, and other organizations. The presentation focuses on how parents can cope with infant crying and how other community members can help. If you are interested in hosting a presentation, please contact Erin Hawkins.