Our experiences in early childhood shape our lives. When children are exposed to severe, frequent stress it shapes their future health and safety. Research tells us that when a child is exposed to stressful experiences such as domestic violence and substance abuse, it can rewire their body and brain. In Health and Human Services in Buncombe County, we are working to educate and create support systems so our children are protected from these experiences. What we do matters. Working together we can nurture safe and protective environments for our children.
Buncombe County Health and Human Services offers the following programs to help our children grow healthy and strong:
• Under Six provides family-friendly outreach to families with children younger than six to help them cope with the challenges of parenting. Everyone can take action to protect children and support parents. (828) 250-6000.
• Community Service Navigators are available in communities, helping individuals and families to connect with support services they need. Contact info@buncombeservicefoundation.org.
• Nurse Family Partnership First-time pregnant women receive prenatal and parenting support from a home visiting nurse.
• Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is a new community resource that trains community partners to offer parenting support to our community. www.triplep-parenting.net,
• Innovative Approaches is a group that works to improve care for children with special health care needs, focusing on helping doctors learn about the impact of childhood trauma and how to support their patients.
• Project Broadcast is a Trauma-informed Child Welfare Practice project that focuses on the effects of trauma and appropriate response through referrals to therapists who specialize in trauma work with children and families.
Learn more at buncombecounty.org/HHS or call (828) 250-5500.
— Angela Pittman is the director of the Department of Social Services, and Gibbie Harris is the director of the
Department of Public Health.
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