(Austin) – Central Health and Partners in Parenting (PIP), an Austin nonprofit, have teamed up to offer free support groups for parents of newborns and infants to help make a challenging time for new families a little easier.
PIP organizes and facilitates community-based peer support groups for new parents to help ease the transition to parenthood. PIP is part of Seattle-based Program for Early Parent Support, or PEPS, which was founded in 1982 by a group of early childhood educators and social service workers to bring new parents together in their community during the critical first few months of a child’s life.
“The first months of parenting are magical and challenging,” said Jessica Burleson, Partners in Parenting Executive Director. “Having a village of other new parents with whom to share the journey, along with resources and support, is vital to raising healthy families. We’re thrilled to offer this service in partnership with Central Health.”
Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center recognized a growing need to provide support for parents with low income beyond doctor’s visits and well-baby checkups. “Partners in Parenting came to us and asked if we would be willing to host their support groups and we jumped at the opportunity,” said Elizabeth Marrero, Program Director at Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center. “It complements other programs and classes we offer including our Centering Parenting classes, which ensure babies get regular health exams, tests and immunizations. And these vital programs are free to participants.”
PIP received a grant from the O’Neill Foundation allowing them to offer their PIP squeak parent support groups in both English and Spanish at Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center. “This is a very exciting initiative for PIP. Our program has grown exponentially since our founding in 2014, and we feel strongly that through community partnerships like this one with Central Health, we can achieve our goal of providing support for all new parents in Austin.” explained Marcia Del Rios, Partners in Parenting Bilingual Program Manager.
Mothers with babies zero to six-months old are invited to sign up for the support group, which meet on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Moms also receive free diapers and gift cards when they attend. The next Spanish language support group begins on Tuesday, July 17 and runs for 10 consecutive weeks.
To sign-up, call 512-829-1704 or register at pipaustin.org. Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center is located at 2901 Montopolis Dr., Austin 78741.