A New Beginning: Trauma-Informed Childcare by Family Promise of Puget Sound
Hope Starts Here: Nurturing Children, Empowering Families, Ending Homelessness.
Family Promise of Puget Sound (FPOPS) is a community-based response to family homelessness in Pierce County. Our goal is to not just offer shelter, but to provide holistic solutions that empower families to achieve lasting stability. We are proud to introduce our new trauma-informed childcare program, a cornerstone of this approach.
Beyond Shelter: Addressing the Root Causes of Childhood Trauma.
Over half of children in the U.S. have experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), such as abuse, neglect, or family instability. We recognize that chronic homelessness is a pervasive traumatic experience, deeply affecting a child’s development and future well-being.
The answer to family homelessness is not just a shelter. It requires a comprehensive, community-based approach that includes services like financial literacy, health & wellness, transitional housing, and particularly, trauma-informed childcare. A core aspect of the FPOPS model is to reduce childhood trauma.
Building Resilience, One Child at a Time.
The new FPOPS trauma-informed childcare program is specifically designed to create a nurturing and predictable environment, fostering resilience in children who have experienced the instability of homelessness. This program prioritizes interventions that reduce trauma, aiming for solutions that minimize negative impacts on children.
A Safe Haven for Every Child.
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Violence-Free, Drug-Free, Smoking-Free, and Weapon-Free Facilities: Ensuring a secure and healthy environment for all children.
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Consistency and Predictability: Structured routines and attuned caregivers help children feel safe and regulate their emotions.
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Culturally Responsive Activities: Providing age and developmentally appropriate activities that honor and reflect diverse communities and cultures, promoting a sense of belonging and positive social relationships.
The Power of Positive Connections.
The program actively partners children experiencing homelessness with positive peer children, creating opportunities for healthy social interaction and relationship building. This approach utilizes the FPOPS locations which allow children to stay with their peers within their school districts, supporting their social and emotional development.
“We empower families. We create solutions. We build communities. We keep parents together with their children. We offer shelter. We offer hope. We offer home.”
Childcare That Supports Family Self-Sufficiency.
The FPOPS trauma-informed childcare program directly supports parents in their journey towards housing stability. By providing reliable childcare services 24/7 at their locations, parents gain the crucial time needed to actively seek and maintain employment. This round-the-clock care also ensures children have a safe place to sleep, allowing parents to work night shifts without concern.
Comprehensive Support Beyond Childcare.
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Financial Literacy & Rental Assistance: Essential tools and resources to manage finances and secure housing.
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Case Management & Family Mentoring: Personalized guidance and support to navigate challenges and achieve goals.
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Health & Wellness Services: Addressing the overall well-being of the family.
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Strengthening Families Framework: Utilizing this evidence-informed approach to enhance protective factors in families, such as parental resilience, social connections, and knowledge of child development. Workshops and parent events help caregivers manage stress and build supportive networks.