|
Audio of the article was made possible by the CAST11 Prescott Podcast Network. Production of Talking Glass Media.
|
To better meet the needs of parents seeking to reunite with their children in foster care, the Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation recently completed the renovation of the Barbara Polk Family Visiting Center.
Yavapai County has over 300 foster children. In many cases, when children are separated from their biological parents and placed in custody, the court’s ultimate goal is reunification. But before families can reunite, there are important steps to take to help children return to a safe environment. Supervised visits are one of these key steps.
Photo credit: Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation
Yvonne Bartlett, Executive Director of the Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation, said: “Visiting centers are very important because they allow these families to meet in a safe and homely environment instead of McDonald’s or public libraries.”
The Barbara Polk Family Visitation Center off Bob Drive in Prescott Valley opened in March 2021 during the pandemic. As COVID restrictions are in full force across the country, the Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation has limited the number of visits that can be made at the same time as a precautionary measure. Used for a total of 446 hours by various families.
Mona Stephens, Director of Development, Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation, said: “After lifting COVID restrictions, we quickly learned that the space was not set up for adequate privacy when multiple visits occurred at the same time.”
Photo credit: Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation
In 2022, the Barbara Polk Family Visitation Center was utilized by over 60 different families for a total of 942 hours. This increase and feedback from those using the space led the Foundation to realize that he should create four very different private areas and remove the common area that was once there.
with funding from Prescott 100 Men Who Carethe foundation was able to install walls to divide spaces, install fences in outdoor playgrounds, and purchase the items needed to transform meeting rooms into homely meeting environments. has a fully enclosed outdoor play area, two private family rooms with entertainment and kitchenettes, an elementary school room and a toddler space. represents.
Photo credit: Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation
Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation anticipates further growth of the center in terms of utilization. With the mods, they feel ready to handle growth in a way that works for all parties involved.
For more information on the Barbara Polk Family Visitation Center, see How Arizona Taxes Can Help You Maintain Your Space, or for more information about the Foundation, visit YC4KF.org or email us. info@YavapaiCASAforKids.org.
catch up more Local news article upon Signals A Z.com.
