FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2019
SOS COMMUNITY SERVICES RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION AS A BLUE RIBBON AFFILIATE
Ypsilanti, Michigan’s Endorsed Site Demonstrates High-Quality Implementation of Evidence-Based Home Visiting
Ypsilanti, November 5, 2019 – SOS Community Services has earned a prestigious endorsement from the Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc., (PATNC) as a Blue Ribbon Affiliate, making it one of the top-performing home visiting affiliates within the PATNC’s international network. The official designation was made on October 1, 2019.
Being named a Blue Ribbon Affiliate affirms that SOS is a high-quality member of the home visiting field, implementing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model with fidelity. Families in the Washtenaw County community are positively impacted by the services delivered by this program.
The program includes home visits, group connections, child screening, and connections to community resources. It equips parents with knowledge and resources to prepare their children for a stronger start in life and greater success in school.
“To earn the Blue Ribbon Affiliate status, we underwent a rigorous self-study and review process from the National Center. The process confirms that we are meeting Parents as Teachers’ standards of fidelity and quality,” said Rhonda Weathers, executive director of SOS Community Services “Blue Ribbon Affiliates are exemplary programs, delivering highest quality services to children and families.”
“Implementation with quality and fidelity is vital in home-visiting programs as it determines a program’s effectiveness in accomplishing its original goals and intended outcomes.” Weathers said. “It also verifies that a program is being implemented as designed.” Parents as Teachers’ rigorous endorsement process demonstrates an affiliate’s accountability and credibility to the community, its funders, elected officials, and the partner organizations with which they work.
The Blue Ribbon Affiliate status demonstrates that SOS Parents as Teachers is making an important difference in the lives of the parents and children enrolled in the program. “SOS Community Services Parents as Teachers program gives our families a blueprint to build a solid foundation for their children’s growth and development. Our evidence-based program is for the whole family because parents are a child’s first and most influential teacher.” said Rana Smith, SOS Parents as Teachers Coordinator.
SOS Parents as Teachers receives support from the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund, the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, the James A. & Faith Knight Foundation, and the Harry A. & Margaret D. Towsley Foundation.
About SOS Community Services
SOS Community Services promotes housing stability and family self-sufficiency through collaboration, care and respect. Our services include shelter and rapid re-housing, job development, eviction prevention, and Parents as Teachers. In addition, SOS offers a Resource Center that provides a weekly food pantry, and walk-in services including utility and transportation assistance. For more information about SOS Community Services, including opportunities to volunteer and donate, please visit www.soscs.org.
About Parents as Teachers
Parents as Teachers (PAT) builds strong communities, thriving families and children that are healthy, safe and ready to learn. The internationally-recognized evidence-based home visiting model is backed by 35 years of research-proven outcomes for children and families. PAT currently serves nearly 200,000 families in all 50 U.S. states, 115 Tribal organizations, six other countries, and one U.S. territory. Parents As Teachers National Center, Inc., is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Parents as Teachers affiliates operate in various settings, including health departments, hospitals and schools, faith-based and non-profit organizations. For more information, visit parentsasteachers.org or Twitter @NatlPAT.
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Media contact:
Barbara Cecil
Development Director
barbarac@soscs.org
734-961-1206