OUR PROGRESS
Since our inception in 2011, BRIDGES has operated as a community hub to support connections between organizations and residents of 10 neighborhoods in Palm Beach County within the following zip codes: 33401, 33403, 33404, 33407, 33435, 33460, 33461, 33476 and 33430.
We are working with communities to improve: the health, safety, and well‐being of pregnant women, children, and families.
TOTAL OF
32,201
MEMBERS
TOTAL OF
8,893
FAMILIES W/CHILDREN 0-8
ON AVERAGE
3,000
FAMILIES PARTICIPATE EACH YEAR
OUR IMPACT
By “bridging” together resources, BRIDGES focused on creating support for optimal child development, parenting and neighborhood capacity building and growth.
Raising the next generation is a shared responsibility. When families, communities and schools work together, children reach their full potential and the entire community benefits.
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Promoting Healthy Births
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Promoting Safe and Nurturing Homes
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Promoting Kindergarten Readiness
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Promoting Reading Proficiency
- BRIDGES completed intakes with 2,407 pregnant women.
- Referred nearly 900 pregnant women to Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, the Children’s Services Council (CSC) of Palm Beach County’s Healthy Beginnings Prenatal Entry Agency.
- Hosted 72 community baby showers with a combined attendance of nearly one thousand expecting parents and their supporters.
- 2,278 navigations for affordable health insurance.
- 228 navigations for prenatal care, pregnancy, & postnatal services and education.
- 2,933 members participated in health and wellness activities.
- 407 members participated in fitness or sports activities.
- Partnerships include: Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies; Healthy Beginnings Nurses; Health Department; Community Voice; local hospitals, health care and wellness providers; and other community partners.
- 7,143 parents participated in parent-child activities with their children. These fun group activities offer an opportunity for parents to spend quality time with their children, meet other families, and become an active part in supporting their children’s learning and development.
- 5,180 parents participated in Triple P seminars or one‐on-one Triple P sessions at BRIDGES. BRIDGES also made over 100 referrals to partner agencies (Center for Family Services and Parent Child Center) for different modalities or higher intensity Triple P service. Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is an evidenced-based parenting program to empower parents with strategies to effectively approach challenging behaviors commonly encountered when raising children.
- 462 navigations for counseling or mental health services.
- 1,981 parents participated in peer support groups.
- Hosted 59 awareness, education, and discussions events about domestic violence with a combined attendance of over 800.
- 2,709 parents attended safety workshops on topics such as poison control, choking and suffocation, baby sleep safety, bike safety, injury prevention, etc.
- 429 families participated in a car seat installation/safety session and received a reduced cost car seat if needed.
- 69 navigations for free swim lessons via the Drowning Prevention Coalition.
- Partnerships include: Safe Kids; Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA); Home Safe; Center for Family Services, Parent Child Center, local faith-based organizations; law enforcement, and other community partners.
- BRIDGES has served 12,231 children 0-5 years old.
- BRIDGES supported parents in completing 8,592 ASQ-3 screenings to determine their 0–5-year-old child’s developmental skills, and to detect signs of a developmental delay. Of the screening completed, 17% identified developmental concerns and families were able to receive 1,241 referrals for further assessment and services when needed.
- 3,365 parents participated in ASQ-3 “Raise Me Up” parent-child activities to promote developmental skills in their children.
- In addition to “Raise Me Up” activities, 139 activities were offered to prepare families for the kindergarten transition with an attendance of 1,363.
- Over 2,500 navigations with parents for child care.
- BRIDGES referral partnership with the Early Learning Coalition resulted in 3,071 children receiving child care scholarships for quality early care and education.
- Each BRIDGES neighborhood has an Early Childhood Leadership Collaborative working to improve kindergarten readiness.
- Partnerships include: Early Learning Coalition (ELC); Palm Beach County Library System; Palm Beach County School District; Literacy Coalition; Home Safe; local elementary schools; libraries; child care providers; and other community partners.
- 3,284 parents participated in literacy activities with their children.
- 3,458 parents participated in enrichment activities with their children. Enrichment activities at BRIDGES are hands-on activities that teach skills that support classroom learning (i.e., focus/attention, self-expression, taking turns, curiosity, following directions, creativity)
- 1,795 parents participated in BRIDGES summer reading program. BRIDGES summer reading program offers group and individual meetings, along with resources and activities that support children’s literacy growth over the summer months and prevent summer learning loss.
- 532 navigations for academic support.
- 536 navigations for school supplies.
- Over 600 navigations with parents for afterschool and summer programs.
- BRIDGES referral partnership with the Early Learning Coalition resulted in 1,992 children receiving scholarships for quality after school and summer programming.
- Partnerships include: Palm Beach County Youth Services; Early Learning Coalition (ELC); Palm Beach County Library System; Palm Beach County School District; local elementary schools; libraries; and other community partners.
Information current as of July 31, 2021.
Prepared by Bonnie L. Wagner, Evaluation Officer, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County on August 12, 2021.
TESTIMONIAL
"I was lucky enough to hear about Lake Worth West Resident Planning Group and the BRIDGES program. They have helped me in so many aspects and guided me to be on the right track.
It's never too early nor too late to learn. The many skills that I have learned helped me interact with my children, creating a strong bond of love while increasing my self-esteem.
I am confident that when it is time for my youngest son to start Kindergarten, he will be ready! All the excellent parent-child programs taught me that I am my child’s first teacher and that a strong foundation starts at home."
A. Gonzalez
