Emilia was desperate to improve her family life…

Emilia Padilla, mother of three was desperate to improve her family life so she contacted FIRST 5. With the guidance and support of her FIRST 5 Family Partner, Emilia immediately enrolled in an 8-week parenting course provided by Catholic Charities. She also attended evening English as a Second Language (ESL) classes 3 times per week, where her children received high-quality childcare. Emilia was also able to enroll her son in preschool and was given a car seat, as well as referred to the FIRST 5 Health Mobile for free preventive dental screenings.

Emilia’s FIRST 5 Family Partner administered a developmental screening with her son, uncovering concerns about his language and communication abilities which were causing problems at school. As a result, the Family Partner consulted with a behavior specialist from Via Services, a FIRST 5 partner agency, to seek school and home developmental and behavioral supports.

The FIRST 5 home visitor focused on helping Emilia establish more clear rules, structure, and family literacy practices at home. Soon Emilia’s son’s preschool teacher reported that his behavior had almost immediately and completely turned around — he was doing well and following the classroom rules.

“Through my work with [my home visitor], I learned about setting rules, how to play with my kids, and how to help them learn. I am using these strategies and have seen positive changes in my children,” said Emilia.

What we can do as a community:

Santa Clara County families often face isolation from community resources because of language barriers, transportation obstacles and fear of federal immigration policies. FIRST 5, using innovative and culturally-respectful recruitment techniques, helps build trust within our communities by informing residents of services that support the healthy development of children. As a community, we must work towards breaking down cultural barriers to provide resources and information accessible for all.

Gary, a single father, needed help raising his children…

Gary Parker, a single father of four, was having a tough time adjusting to being a single dad. He was referred to FIRST 5 by a local agency. After meeting with his FIRST 5 Family Partner, they decided to focus on two major goals: helping his youngest son, Steven to be academically, behaviorally, and socially ready for kindergarten and accessing services to improve his family’s communication and well-being.

FIRST 5 recommended a home visitor to help Gary. The home visitor worked on Gary’s parenting skills and helped decrease Steven’s behavior and communication problems. The home visitor also helped the family get much needed food, furniture, clothes, books, and other household items from the Community Solutions’ donation center.

Gary stated that he has seen improvement in Steven and in himself as a parent because of FIRST 5 services. “My home visitor has taught me how to better communicate with Steven and has given me activities that I can do with him to help him learn. I want to be an active parent, aware of resources for the family, and will do whatever it takes to do what is best for the kids.”

What we can do as a community:

FIRST 5 and its partners help families’ secure necessary services such as: early care and education, health insurance coverage, parent workshops, and mental health services. It is important for the community to also reach out to families in need and inform them of valuable services available to help build a foundation for a safe and stable home.

Penelope felt isolated moving at a young age to the US..

Penelope is a young mother of 2 children, ages 6 and 2. She arrived to the US in 2000 when she was 23 years old and for nine years, she hardly left her home, rarely spoke to anyone, and didn’t participate in any programs or classes. She was extremely shy and nervous with a very low self-esteem. Her parents consistently told her she was stupid. She barely finished sixth grade and didn’t know how to make decisions for herself. Her daughters began to exhibit the same nervous behavior and low self-esteem and Penelope realized that she yelled at them the same way her parents yelled at her.

Penelope came to Somos Mayfair in 2009 when another parent at her school invited her to participate in the Tierra Viva workshop. Penelope rarely spoke a word but she came to the workshop every week. She participated in Familias Unidas, a new play about the challenges and strategies parents need to develop to better understand and support their children. She had a difficult time sharing her thoughts and would often cry in the group.

One of the Somos Mayfair Promotoras, Kelly, invited Penelope to join a support group for women. She was encouraged to share her story and began to come out of her shell.

Penelope set goals for herself. She is now learning how to drive and is taking English classes four times a week. She doesn’t yell at her daughters anymore and has learned new strategies for raising them. Penelope participates actively in the theater group now and feels that she has the capacity to become a leader in her family and in the community.

Children sometimes need healing…

5 ½ year old Isabella was referred to FIRST 5 therapeutic services for aggressive outbursts with peers and adults at school. Unfortunately, Isabella had been exposed to domestic violence from birth until she was 4 ½ years old when her parents separated.

Isabella’s Kindergarten teacher reported that she is very intelligent but struggles with socialization and making friends. We provided Isabella’s family weekly individual and Child-Parent Psychotherapy to address domestic violence issues. Our clinician also made regular visits to Isabella’s school where she was able to observe and support her. All services provided were in the family’s primary language, Spanish.

During our work with Isabella and her mother, their relationship toward one another developed into a trusting one. We also observed Isabella using all of her new skills to successfully make friends at school. At the end of the school year, Isabella received a citizenship award. She is now successful both academically and socially with a secure, loving and trusting bond with her mother. Isabella said, “I know how to use my words. Hitting hurts people. It hurt me too.”

Simple lifestyle changes can prevent childhood obesity...

Antonio, a 4 year old, very obese boy, came to the Pediatric Healthy Lifestyles Clinic weighing 88 pounds. He should weigh approximately 44 pounds for his height and age. After learning more about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity, Antonio’s mom began to make changes in her son’s nutrition and learned how to set eating limits for him while prioritizing play time. Antonio’s body mass index (BMI) is decreasing.

Antonio was given a bike from Turning Wheels for Kids, and he immediately jumped on the bike and started riding in the hallway of the clinic! Mom broke down crying after being overwhelmed by how much Antonio loved riding his bike. When little Antonio jumped off the bike and gave his mom a huge hug and kiss, it brought a tear to everyone’s eye at the clinic.

A recovering father finds strength and support to raise his children…

Bob, a single father, and his two small children, ages 3 and 1, were referred into FIRST 5 services through the Family Wellness Court program. Bob’s older son was in foster care until just last month. Recently, Bob was celebrating the fact that he received full custody of his boys and they would be living together as a family thanks to the Family Wellness Court program.

Bob’s court system requirements to achieve custody of his children included undergoing drug testing four times per month, attending AA meetings three times per week, participating in private therapy, and graduating from an outpatient program. In addition, there were a variety of parenting classes he had to attend—including a 15-week series on “accountability in relationships,” and a 16-week “parenting without violence” series.

He has been clean and sober for 26 months.

Bob also gratefully described and showed off the dental work provided to him by FWC, acknowledging that years of addiction to methamphetamine had ruined his teeth.

A dentist at the court provides free labor and patients are only required to pay for lab work. Bob received all new upper dentures for less than $300. He acknowledged how the dentures (which give him a wonderful smile) would make him much more employable. Overall, Bob characterized all services provided by FWC for his family as “great, helpful, and necessary for [my children’s] safety, well-being, and education.”