07.01.21 | Adoption

OMAHA, (Neb.) June 30, 2021 – Research shows that children who have strong bonds with their parents have better lifelong emotional health. Thanks to funding from Thriving Families Alliance (formerly known as Promise Partners, Lutheran Family Services Pottawattamie County Center for Healthy Families® at 300 West Broadway in Council Bluffs, IA will offer the Nurturing Parenting Program® at no-cost classes to families expecting a new child and those with children under age five. The 16-session Nurturing Parenting Program® is designed to empower individuals and families with new knowledge, beliefs, strategies, and skills to make safe and healthy lifestyle choices and to adopt positive parenting behaviors. 

Pottawattamie County Center for Healthy Families® Susan Pawloski looks forward to facilitating these classes each year. She has seen first-hand the transformation in parents who complete the program. “These moms and dads are learning some very powerful lessons on how to connect with their children and how to correct their behavior in positive ways,” says Pawloski.   

Funds have also been awarded to support Circle of Security ® parenting classes. The eight-session Circle of Security® curriculum focuses on the parent-child connection more than behaviors. Pawloski notes, “They’re both very different and excellent programs that help parents build positive relationships with their children, but parents also can get a lot of support from each other and not just the facilitators of these programs!”

Pawloski said, “We look forward to announcing the dates and times for both programs to begin sometime this fall.” She added, “Both series will be offered in Spanish as well as English.” 

Patricia Rassmussen is the executive director of Thriving Families. She said, “Children and families thrive when they have access to safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. The Lutheran Family Services Pottawattamie County Center for Healthy Families ® supports parents to provide the positive childhood experiences that are key to their children’s well-being.” 

Please contact the Child and Family Resource Network at (712) 355-2615 or Susan Pawloski (712) 242-1040 at Lutheran Family Services to access these free programs and other early childhood services Pottawattamie County Center for Healthy Families®.  

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About Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. 

Established in 1892, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) is one of the largest nonprofit health and human services agencies in the state with locations across Nebraska and an office in Council Bluffs, IA. LFS effectively delivers health and human care that meets individuals’, families’, and communities’ social, cultural, and linguistic needs. LFS programs and services are available to anyone, regardless of age, race, religion, or income. 

Community-Based Services: 

Providing Opportunities for Children and Families to Thrive. 

  • Family Preservation Services: Pre- and post-adoption services, foster care, and in-home services, kinship care, home study, and pregnancy and maternal health counseling. 
  • Individual and Family Support Services: Case management, crisis intervention, basic needs support, disaster care management, health navigation, access to resources, referrals to community resources, legal immigration services, and interpretation and translation language support. 
  • Economic Empowerment: Supporting families as they pursue self-sufficiency through workforce development, asset-building programs, and career planning. 
  • Education Services: ESL and educational assistance, cultural orientation for newcomers, financial literacy and budgeting, Nurturing Parenting programs, and prevention and early intervention services for expectant mothers and at-risk families. 

Health & Wellness Services: 

  • Children’s Behavioral Health: Family support groups, individual and family mental health services. 
  • Adult Behavioral Health: Person-centered, evidence-based therapies to treat mental health and substance use conditions. Includes specialized services for military veterans and their families. 
  • Integrated Support Services: Healthcare services including medication management and peer support to help stabilize people in crisis. 

The work of LFS is supported by caring members of our community whose contributions help make services available to those unable to pay fees.  

To learn more, visit www.LFSneb.org.  

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