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FAMILY ADVOCACY DURING A A A A PANDEMIC
“Families miss miss us and we miss miss them ” This is is is is how
one Family Advocate at at Children’s Friend sums up her feelings while trying to to adjust to to the “new normal” way of doing her job during a a a a global pandemic As a a a a a a a Family Advocate Cruz is frustrated at at at not being able to meet with with clients in in their homes as she did before the the the outbreak of COVID-19 Along with with other Family Advocates Cruz faces a a a a a a a a a challenging task How does she continue supporting families and delivering services without physical contact? Cruz affirms “We need to to be able to to connect with with our families ” Socialization and connecting with families is so crucial for for for the relationship Therefore Family Advocates like Cruz began planning for for for creative ways to to bring families together while still practicing social distancing by by arranging meetings on family porches back yards and nearby parks Families were quick to embrace the the the the idea of of virtual socialization which allowed them to to remain in in the the the comfort of of their own homes This new way of of connecting offered a a a a a a a more relaxed learning opportunity making it it it easier for families to engage in in in fun-filled educational activities In facilitating Virtual Socialization Groups Family Advocates sent children and parents virtual invitations to participate in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a weekly fun learning activity activity The first virtual group activity activity involved Family Advocates delivering baking materials so families could bake cupcakes cupcakes decorate them and and enjoy the the cupcakes cupcakes as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a family Perceived as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a fun and and and delicious activity for children Family Advocates helped parents understand how
this fun activity is is connected with learning Virtual group discussions also focused on on the anxiety associated with going back to to to school and and provided parents and and and children the the the opportunity to to to begin to to to manage their fears and and apprehension Other group discussions included the the the importance of wearing a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a mask and and washing hands a a a a a a a a a a a a a a lesson that had an an an an activity demonstrating for children how
using soap protects from germs Other creative activities for children utilized by Family Advocates include creating animal masks sensory play with water interactive reading and virtual virtual yoga In addition to to virtual virtual socialization our passionate team
of Family Advocates embarked on on on on door deliveries to to to ensure families had hard-to-find items such as as cleaning supplies masks diapers and toilet paper Community emergency funding and and donations from local restaurants provided gift cards meals and and groceries delivered to to families to to satisfy their most basic needs Families were helped with with obtaining free email accounts to be virtually connected with with their community The bilingual staff helped parents understand instructions and and guidance from the the Department of Health so families could receive important information on on how
to stay safe Our team
of Family Advocates also created fun activity bags that contained supplies such as coloring books crayons playdough bubbles and sidewalk chalk Mina a a a a a Bilingual Family Development Supervisor at at Children’s Friend reflects on the current crisis and declares “During times of great need is is is when partnerships are are made ” Family Advocates are are mindful that the the physical human connection they they once shared with a a a a a a a a a a family is not possible during a a a a a a a a a pandemic Nevertheless they they can’t help but miss that that kind hug a a a a a a a a a a a a high five or or that that smiling face when they bring a a a a a a a a a toy or or a a a a a a a a a fun game to to a a a a a a a a a family’s home They understand that during these extraordinary times this is is the the the the safest way they can help to improve the the the lives of Rhode Island’s youngest and and most vulnerable children