(CHildren Encouraged by Relationships In Secure Homes)
CHERISH™, established at Kindering in 2004, is an early childhood relational health-focused model for providing ESIT (Early Support for Infants and Toddlers) services to child welfare systems-involved children and their families. Our multidisciplinary providers receive specialized training and ongoing support from Kindering’s training team to offer the CHERISH model to nurture relationships and decrease the number of unnecessary placement disruptions in a child's life. We support reunification whenever possible and encourage relationships between parents and caregivers. CHERISH supports are individualized for each child with their parent and/or caregiver, but generally include:
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developmental evaluation
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relationship-based home visiting with regulating activities
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parent/caregiver support regarding child welfare system navigation
ELIGIBILITY
In order to receive CHERISH supports, children must be:
> under the age of 3 at time of referral
> involved with the child welfare system
> qualify for ESIT at an agency where there are CHERISH-certified providers, including South Sound Parent to Parent.
REFERRALS
Anyone can refer a child for CHERISH supports. Please visit South Sound Parent to Parent at: https://www.ssp2p.org/early-supports
For questions, please contact
P: 360.352.1126
Email: aernst@ssp2p.org
COSTS
Services in the CHERISH model can be billed to insurance, but lack of insurance will not prevent access to care. The training that allows teams to offer ESIT in the CHERISH model is made possible by generous funding from community partners.
MEET THE CHERISH TEAM AT SOUTH SOUND PARENT TO PARENT
We have a solid understanding of the child welfare system. We are qualified to provide family support, social/emotional developmental interventions, case management, advocacy, and resources/referrals. We will work together to address the issues identified in your child’s developmental assessment. You know your family’s needs and what concerns you have about your child. Working together, with a focus on what is going well, we will help you and your child with any struggles you are facing. Since young children develop primarily in relationships, we will support your emotional health needs as well. Your well-being and your child’s well-being are linked. Our goal is for your child to experience smooth transitions and to build the emotional and social skills needed to grow into a healthy adult.
CHERISH LEAD:
Amanda Ernst
Early Support Specialist
CHERISH PROVIDERS:
Heather Powers Jordan Kennedy Naomi Mork
Social and Emotional Specialist Social and Emotional Specialist Occupational Therapist
hpowers@ssp2p.org jkennedy@ssp2p.org nmork@ssp2p.org
CHERISH FAMILY RESOURCES COORDINATORS:
Amy Neal Molly Davidson Kaity Mayo
aneal@ssp2p.org mdavidson@ssp2p.org kmayo@ssp2p.org
Jenn Gould