Successful Connections… Helping families link to information and community resources
Raising a family can be hard, and babies do not come with instructions! For families living in Shawnee County, Successful Connections can help.
When you have questions or need support, start by calling us. We will listen and then work to connect you with programs and services that can help. Successful Connections’ services are free and customized for each family’s unique situation and needs. Services and assistance in finding resources include:
- Help with basic needs… like baby supplies, housing assistance, employment resources, child care, education and financial resources.
- Prenatal and postnatal needs… like birthing or parenting classes, breast-feeding information or help, and other supports.
- Parent health needs… including counseling, social supports, support for alcohol and drug issues, insurance information and dental services.
- Child health and development information… like tips on immunizations and well-child appointments, nutrition information, tips to soothe a crying baby, developmental questions and more.
- Parenting supports… like child guidance and discipline, playgroups and home visitation services to help families and children.
- Lunch and Learns... a monthly one-hour seminar where professional speakers present on various topics that interest service providers, home visitation specialists, and community members.
One simple call is all it takes to access this free support service! Contact us today at 785-440-4509 or 785-440-4510.
Not in Shawnee County? To find out about home visitation programs in your area, click here to visit the Kansas Home Visiting website. You can also call “211” to learn more about community resources available to you.
Parents As Teachers (PAT)
An international early childhood parent education and family support programs that serve families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten, usually age 5. The program is designed to enhance child development and school achievement through parent education accessible to all families. Their mission is to provide the information, support and encourage parents’ needs to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life. There are no economic eligibility factors to participate. Click here to locate a PAT program near you to learn more.
Kansas Infant-Toddler Services (KITS)
A free service whose mission is to enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities; to minimize their potential for developmental delays; to recognize the significant brain development that occurs during the child's first three years; and to enhance the capacity of families to meet the special needs of their infants and toddlers with disabilities. Family training, counseling and home visits are included in the services. To learn more about KITS, click here.
Kansas Children's Service League (KCSL)
A not-for-profit organization that provides an array of services to children and their families in Kansas. The services range from parent education and a 24-hour parent support line, to prevention of child abuse and neglect services. They try to meet the changing needs of children and families in Kansas to keep children safe and families strong. To learn more about KCSL, click here.
Positive Discipline
Positive discipline is the key to raising children to be responsible, respectful and make smart decisions. Conscious Discipline® is an evidence-based approach that works. Click here to learn how to handle the conflict and upset that come your way and decrease problem behaviors.
Strengthening Families
Across the country, early care and education programs, child welfare departments and others are using the Strengthening Families approach to build five Protective Factors in families:
- Parental resilience.
- Social connections.
- Knowledge of parenting and child development.
- Concrete support in times of need.
- Children’s social and emotional development.
Research shows that these factors reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect by providing parents with what they need to parent effectively, even under stress. By building relationships with families, child care programs can recognize signs of stress and build families’ Protective Factors with timely, effective help. To read more about this program, click here.
Public Policy & Advocacy
Are you interested in learning more about advocacy issues and public policy that affect early childhood education and providing high-quality child care?
- Click here to visit the advocacy information page available on our website
- Click here to visit the public policy page
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD, is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. Serving the United States, its territories and Canada, the hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Professional crisis counselors, through interpreters, provide assistance in 170 languages. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service and support resources. All calls are anonymous and confidential. The Kansas 24 hour reporting hotline is 1-800-922-5330.
