The Family Place is a place where families can find programs and services for themselves and their children, and can meet other families to share information and support.

What is the mission of The Family Place?

The Family Place promotes and nurtures the growth and development of healthy families in Transylvania County by offering education, resources and community support to build positive parenting and communication skills and strengthen families for the benefit of every child. Many of our programs are documented to prevent child abuse and neglect.

How did The Family Place get started?

A group of people in the community, including parents and professionals who work with children and families in the county, got together and agreed that a resource center for families was needed. They wanted a one-stop place where families could meet one another and find out about other services in their community. Parents and their preschool children were looking for a child friendly place to meet and play with others outside of a childcare facility. Family centered community groups wanted a place where they could meet.

Who is The Family Place for?

Everyone who has had children has an idea how important it is to have friends and family nearby to provide support, help, and companionship. Children need other children to play with and learn. Parents need other parents to talk to and share ideas and concerns. Yet without these support systems in place, so many families feel isolated. The Family Place provides an opportunity for families to meet and support each other. Parenting classes provide useful information and help parents build skills that can make being a good parent easier. Also, by offering co-op childcare for parents in a GED program, The Family Place can help these parents improve their employment opportunities.

Families who need resources can start making connections to community resources through The Family Place. The Family Place has become a centralized location from which families can access programs through the Department of Social Services, mental health organizations, the Health Department, Child Development, Transylvania County Schools, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension and services for Hispanic families.

What do families do at The Family Place?

Families come to The Family Place for a variety of activities, events and classes. For a schedule of activities for this month please see our calendar page. These are some of our programs:

Play Groups
Playgroups are morning play sessions for children birth to five years old. Parents and grandparents play together with their children as caring professionals model childcare skills. Snacks and activities are part of the morning routine.

Child Care Cooperative (Co-op)
The Child Care Cooperative is a program offered to parents and grandparents of children birth – age 5. The Co-Op allows parents time away from their young children to renew themselves for the challenging task of parenting, gives children a chance for socialization, and provides a respite for parent and grandparents. The children are cared for in the Family Place playroom by Early Childhood staff and/or Co-op parents. Parents/grandparents earn childcare hours by working at the Family Place providing childcare in an hour –for –hour exchange. Day and evening times are offered. Parents’ Night Out is offered one evening a month. Children enjoy movies and fun activities at The Family Place while parents enjoy a night out.

Parent/Grandparent Chat
Parents and grandparents discuss parenting issues and benefit from community support. Participants choose the topics and facilitate the discussion. Guest speakers occasionally provide a presentation or lead a discussion. Educational playtime is provided for the children while parents meet.

Coffee ‘n’ Conversation
Grandparents and other extended family/caregivers discuss the unique issues of raising grandchildren and benefit from peer support. The fromat is similar to that of Parent/Grandparent Chat.

G.E.D Child Care
The Family Place offers childcare during Co-op times for anyone working on a G.E.D. who needs that time for study or testing.

Parenting Classes
Parenting classes address various topics specific to parenting. In addition, The Family Place offers educational programs for the community that include money management, employment and health related topics. Childcare is available in The Family Place Playroom during the sessions. Classes are free, and pre-registration is required. Examples of Parenting Education Classes include:

     *  Nurturing Parenting Programs are designed to build practical nurturing skills, especially for families struggling with specific parenting issues.  Separate parent groups and children’s groups meet simultaneously. The Nurturing Programs seek to develop empathy in all family members, build positive, healthy interactions among family members, engage the learner's thoughts and feelings, and help parents and children increase their self esteem. These classes meet requirements for court ordered parenting education.

     *  The Incredible Years program is designed for parents of children ages 6 - 12 years.  Participants exchange ideas and increase their skills as  parents to support and help their children improve their social skills, value friendship, help others and improve their behavior.

    *  1-2-3 Magic is a video-based training program designed to give parents an easy-to-use tool for dealing with discipline issues and strengthening the parent-child relationship.  Two sessions lasting two hours each run several times throughout the year.  Participation in this course is a requirement for joining the Childcare Co-op.  Childcare is provided.