History of Baby Bear Hugs
As a result of growing mobility, young families
in Yuma County did not have the support networks once relied upon by new parents. In addition,
a problem unique to rural areas, that of isolation,
was also true for these families. To address this problem Yuma County developed a universal,
voluntary home visitation program using trained volunteers as visitors. The specific objectives of
the visitors are to:
- Establish rapport with the family
- Build on family strengths
- Identify obstacles to families growth
- Listen to parents, develop a "partnership"
- Support, reinforcement and encourage
- Model appropriate behavior and attitudes
- Provide a link to the larger community
- Act as a liaison between the family and existing community resources
- Teach parenting skills
Baby Bear Hugs was implemented in Yuma County in 1989.
In 1992 Yuma County received a Federal "Child Welfare Enhancement Grant". The purpose of this grant was to see if the successful Baby Bear Hugs program could be replicated in other rural areas. The goal was accomplished and the Regional Home Visitation Project, as it was known, established universal, voluntary home visiting programs in the 8 surrounding counties. The Federal Grant ended in 1995, but 7 of the counties along with Yuma County, decided to continue the regional concept. The program reorganized, elected a board of directors, and hired an executive director. Baby Bear Hugs received 501(c)(3) non profit status in January 1995 as the Regional Home Visitation Program, however we remain "doing business as" Baby Bear Hugs.
This universal level of support is considered
primary prevention, and while it is successful
with most of the population, there are families
who have needs above and beyond what the volunteers are prepared for, or capable of
handling. Since this may take more visiting time
and further training, the situation is addressed through paraprofessional visitors. The paraprofessional visitor segment of the program
was established in 1995. Visitors are more intensely trained in areas indicated
by this population.
primary prevention, and while it is successful
with most of the population, there are families
who have needs above and beyond what the volunteers are prepared for, or capable of
handling. Since this may take more visiting time
and further training, the situation is addressed through paraprofessional visitors. The paraprofessional visitor segment of the program
was established in 1995. Visitors are more intensely trained in areas indicated
by this population.
In order to promote the assimilation of the idea that communities are
responsible for their people, not necessarily agencies, great care is taken
to see that each county has local input. A local advisory committee
consisting of members from the professional and parenting community
guides each county. Collaboration with other agencies and individuals
is very important as many program resources are donated. Each county
coordinator has established donated office space. In some of the offices
the facilities are donated along with other office amenities, such as use of
fax machines, copy machines, and someone to answer the phone. This
benefits the program financially as well as provides an on site contact with
the program.
responsible for their people, not necessarily agencies, great care is taken
to see that each county has local input. A local advisory committee
consisting of members from the professional and parenting community
guides each county. Collaboration with other agencies and individuals
is very important as many program resources are donated. Each county
coordinator has established donated office space. In some of the offices
the facilities are donated along with other office amenities, such as use of
fax machines, copy machines, and someone to answer the phone. This
benefits the program financially as well as provides an on site contact with
the program.
The Board, Staff, and Advisory Committee members met in November 2002 to review the goals and priorities of the organization. This group confirmed that the mission statement was relevant, viable and sufficiently broad to encompass the work of the organization.
Over the years the Regional Home Visitation Program has received several awards. In 1998 we received the El Pomar Foundation Awards for Excellence in Youth Development. In 1998, 1999, 2002, and 2003 we received the Group Publishing Community Service Award for Outstanding Service to Improve Community Life in Northern Colorado.
In 2013, at the 18-year anniversary of receiving our 501(c)(3) and 24th anniversary of our founding, Baby Bear Hugs serves 8 counties in Eastern Colorado and employs over 20 people. The counties involved are Elbert, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, and Yuma.
The Regional Home Visitation Program - Baby Bear Hugs, has served as a model program for home visitation in rural America.
Baby Bear Hugs Regional Office-- 201 S. Main Street Yuma, CO 80759 -- Phone (970) 848-5274 -- Fax (970) 848-0357 email: babybear@babybearhugs.org
