Promoting Positive Parenting Gets a Boost

TFI Family Services, Inc. welcomed the opportunity to add a new room to their Douglas County Visitation and Exchange Center in Lawrence. As a Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) Recognition Grant recipient, TFI received a $1,127.00 to fund their “Promoting Positive Parenting” project.

TFI Family Services, Inc. is a non-profit child welfare agency that is dedicated to doing what makes sense for children and their families when they are in need. One such way TFI works to keep children and families together is by providing The Douglas County Visitation and Exchange Center. This center was established by TFI Family Services, Inc. to help provide a safe environment for children during court ordered supervised visits and as an exchange service in which children can be transferred in a safe and secure setting, free from parental violence and conflict.

The Douglas County Visitation and Exchange Center is located in the Lawrence office of TFI Family Services, Inc.. Each visitation room has seating and a variety of toys and games that allow for parent/child interaction. Parents that are a part of the Visitation and Exchange program also has the opportunity for Cooperative Parenting Education training while a part of the program.

Beth McKenzie, the Senior VEC Facilitator shared that, “The funds received from the KHF’s Recognition Grant were used to transform the VEC intake room into a new visitation room so that the center can serve more families. Hand sanitizer dispensers and baby changing stations were added to make the Center more user-friendly and germ-free.”

Recognition Grant recipients are also invited to attend the Kansas Health Foundation annual conference for grantees which will be held on April 1-2, 2009 in Wichita. This two-day conference provides information and resources to support agencies like TFI in their efforts for children and families. It also allows other non-profit organizations throughout the state of Kansas to connect with one another.

About KHF - The Kansas Health Foundation is a private philanthropy dedicated to improving the health of all Kansans. For more information about the Kansas Health Foundation, visit www.kansashealth.org