The Growing as Parents program at The Family Compass is a fee, home-mentoring, parent education program that provides guidance on building positive parent-child relationships and promotes early development, learning, and healthy children. The program begins with developmental screenings for children and a thorough intake interview followed by weekly parenting education sessions in-home. Parent Educators also connect parents to various resources for additional support.
Sienna, a 20-year-old mother, entered the Growing As Parents program a little over four years ago when her daughter Shilah was two years old.
Sienna’s Parent Educator noticed that Shilah had developmental delays, so she referred Shilah to Early Childhood Intervention services among other resources to ensure that Shilah remained on track to enter kindergarten when the time came.
With the help of her Parent Educator, Sienna learned that academic success for Shilah was critical for a stable future. Sienna even set academic goals for herself.
Sienna, who dropped out of school to have Shilah, has since graduated high school and now works at the front desk in a small dental office while she takes courses to become a dental hygienist.
When the COVID pandemic hit, Sienna felt increasingly overwhelmed. With Shilah home all day, Sienna felt it was difficult to juggle everything on her plate. The depression that Sienna experienced while pregnant (but subsequently has managed), re-emerged. When Sienna’s boyfriend lost his job, Sienna started to isolate and shut down.
Sienna attempted suicide while staying overnight at a friend’s house, who found Sienna in time and got her to a hospital.
Because of their long-term, trusting relationship, Sienna’s Parent Educator became a lifeline for her. Sienna’s Parent Educator helped her recover from the episode and get back on her medication. The two worked together to set small, attainable goals so Sienna could experience success and visualize a path forward.
Sienna has since stabilized. She returned to work and continues to support Shilah. Despite not having many outside resources for the summer, Sienna now has a creative, solid plan in place to navigate the summer months with her daughter and prepare for the school year in the fall.
Founded in 2006 by Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones, The Rees-Jones Foundation is a private foundation that works with nonprofit organizations, primarily in North Texas, to serve and improve the quality of life of others in tangible ways.