2012 - 2013 Annual Report

Our Mission:

To promote positive parenting, enhance fami-ly strengths, and prevent abuse and neglect

of infants and children.

www.babybearhugs.org

Ruth Seedorf

A Message from the Chairman of the Board

The Baby Bear Hugs Program (Regional Home Visitation Program) to support expectant and new mothers as well as families, has had amazing positive results in the lives of both the parents and the children who benefit from our ongoing sup-port. As we serve 8 counties in North Eastern Colorado, the concept of why Baby Bear Hugs is around and the great impact we have is very simple. We believe that every child deserves to have a community that supports their positive growth and develop-ment, and that some first time mothers and parents want a little extra coaching and education to help them be at their best for their children. What continues to impress me the most about this program is the support from our Board and the communities where Baby Bear Hugs is active. I truly love seeing how our Board will support our staff in their efforts and keep the lines of communi-cation open. Our staff has made me feel like I was part of their team from the first day I started on the Board with Baby Bear Hugs, and it’s that feeling of acceptance and support that they give me every time we meet that I also believe they bring with them into the lives of the parents and children we serve. The compassion of our staff, the smiles on the children’s faces and the gratitude from new mothers and parents for helping during what may have been the biggest challenge in their lives so far is why I will continue to support Baby Bear Hugs with my time and finances. Owen Elder, Board Chair

A Message from the Executive Director

We often hear that parents are their child’s best first teachers, that a high percentage of brain development and growth happens before children even enroll in pre-school, and that the ages of 0 to 3 are prime time for positive social-emotional growth. But very few parents really begin parenting with the under-standing and resources needed. We have all heard the age old cliché: "babies aren't born with instructions" and even if they were, chances are that the instructions wouldn't fit the temperament of the child or the circumstances of the parents. Parenting is very rewarding but can be a challenge!! Our goal is to give parents tools to help them really enjoy their children and be effective parents. Things such as staring into the eyes of your 4 or 5 month old child and seeing the reaction – that they TRUST you!! Or spending a moment with an exploring toddler as he climbs up and slides down the 3 steps in the living room 12 times. Reading the same beloved story over and over and then realizing that your child could tell you the story word for word. These are the things Baby Bear Hugs wants to impart to parents, and these very early trust building, skill building, and language building activities are preparing the founda-tion for much more learning to follow. Providing effective models coupled with a trusting relationship and worthwhile materials is just the appropriate mix needed to help children grow up healthy, happy, and ready for success. “I became less selfish, started tuning in to my children, and have a lot more fun with the kids!” said a moth-er who recently participated in Baby Bear Hugs. This kind of attitude reflects posi-tive parenting and the family has been strengthened – just the kind of support we want to be able to provide for families! Ruth Seedorf, Executive Director

Owen Elder

During Fiscal Year 2008-2009, Baby Bear Hugs provided:

934 program A, B, and C visits (Bright Beginnings)

405 families with on-going home visits

Nurturing Parenting Classes to 35 parents and 45 children

Nurturing Parenting Ongoing Curriculum to 33 parents and 38 children

In addition to county staff, Baby Bear Hugs reached these numbers through:

12 Volunteer Visitors

7 Nurturing Parenting Classroom Volunteers

73 Advisory Committee members

and a total of 2,684 hours of donated time

Family Compliments Baby Bear Hugs And Their Visitor! Family Compliments Baby Bear Hugs And Their Visitor! Family Compliments Baby Bear Hugs And Their Visitor! Family Compliments Baby Bear Hugs And Their Visitor! The mother stated “I would not be where I am today without Baby Bear Hugs.” This family was new to the community, their self-esteem was low and they were anxious and wanted to be better equipped for the adventure of parenting. Almost 2 years later the mother is attending NJC, a co-leader with MOPS, an integral part of welcoming new parents into the Mom’s playgroup, and a great mother of a 2 and 3 year old. In addition, the father speaks with pride about the large vocabulary their 3 year old son has. He attributed this to BBH. The visitor told him she could not take the credit, as the parents were the ones who are raising, disciplining and teaching their children. He replied, “Yeah, but you’re the one who brought us the developmental information and activities to help us teach our children. Without this information, we would have not known what to do.” WHOLE Wheat Bread Does Make A Difference!WHOLE Wheat Bread Does Make A Difference!WHOLE Wheat Bread Does Make A Difference!WHOLE Wheat Bread Does Make A Difference! A mother who participated in the Healthy Living program has made substantial changes in her eating and preparation for her family. She is buying whole wheat bread now instead of white bread. She still struggles getting enough fruit but is very conscious of trying to buy more fruit to eat. She loved the visuals: flour bags showing calcium in our bodies and the dominoes showing the difference between processed cheese and natural cheese. She said she is a very visual learner and thought they made a difference in what she learned from the lessons. TwoTwoTwoTwo----YearYearYearYear----Olds Can Be Challenging Olds Can Be Challenging Olds Can Be Challenging Olds Can Be Challenging ---- While doing Nurturing Parenting, visitor and mom had many discussions about discipline. She was struggling with her 2 year olds new found independence, and how to redirect her child without spanking. Through coaching and practice she has begun giving options and redirecting her child, even using time out vs. time in. On a recent visit, the visitor witnessed the mother bending down to the level of her child, and telling her child what she shouldn’t be doing, and then moving her to something she could play with instead of spanking. No struggle, just a simple change in activities. The visitor was very excited and sees the different, positive change in the family.

Why support Baby Bear Hugs?Why support Baby Bear Hugs?Why support Baby Bear Hugs?Why support Baby Bear Hugs? Every dollar you give increases the potential for a child to have a safe and happy life. • $1,425 will provide parenting education and support monthly to a family for a year. • $850 will provide Nurturing Parenting for a parent with a child through 16 week classes. • $104 will provide a one time visit which may include Colorado Bright Beginnings, or Ages &

Stages. • $50 will provide 10 Teddy Bears for children • $10 will provide 6 board books for children

A very special THANK YOU to all who

contributed and supported the

following Fundraisers & Raffles:

50/50 Raffle

Baby Jar Booties

Cash for Christmas

Colorado Gives Day

Golf Luncheon

Lincoln County Garage Sale

Pro Players Association

Sweetest Baby/Toddler Contest

Nut Fundraiser

Walk-A-Thon

Wray Daze

Xtreme DJ & Karaoke Benefit

Yuma Pioneer Days

Valued Donors and Funders:Valued Donors and Funders:Valued Donors and Funders:Valued Donors and Funders: ELBERT COUNTYELBERT COUNTYELBERT COUNTYELBERT COUNTY Elbert County Social Services

LINCOLN COUNTYLINCOLN COUNTYLINCOLN COUNTYLINCOLN COUNTY Carl & Cherry Stogsdill Colette Barksdale Dan Smith First National Bank of Hugo Gretchen Blackwelder Juliet Lundy Limon Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Inc. Lincoln County Commissioners Lincoln County Social Services Lincoln County FCE Lincoln County Public Health Prairie Horizons Richelle & Lyle Ravenkamp Shari Humphrey Superior Builders, Inc. Steve & Sharon Newsome Theresa Weber Todd & Linda Messer United Methodist Women Vicky Miller Weber Water Service LP LOGAN COUNTYLOGAN COUNTYLOGAN COUNTYLOGAN COUNTY Bank of Colorado Erin Rinaldo Janet Forinash Jason Maier Jennifer Sator Jerry & Cindy Lambert Jocelyn Knutson Karen Ramey-Torres Kirstin Schelling Logan County Commissioners Logan County Social Services Mike Hotz Nioma Aden WalMart

MORGAN COUNTYMORGAN COUNTYMORGAN COUNTYMORGAN COUNTY Bank of Colorado Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. Colorado Plains Medical Center Cornelius Enterprises, Inc. James & Debra Forstedt Joan McCloud Luann Boyer Marie Turner— In Honor of Debra Tolson In memory of Bruce Turae Morgan County Commissioners Morgan County Social Services Morgan Federal Bank

PHILLIPS COUNTYPHILLIPS COUNTYPHILLIPS COUNTYPHILLIPS COUNTY Audrey Murray Bank of Colorado First Pioneer National Bank Gloria Bergner Haxtun Alter Society Holyoke Community Federal Credit Union Joe & Ruth Kinnie Jolly Dozen FCE

YUMA COUNTY (Cont.)YUMA COUNTY (Cont.)YUMA COUNTY (Cont.)YUMA COUNTY (Cont.) Curt & Annabet Soehner Darlene Carpio Delores Probasco DC Consulting Don & Betty Jo Seedorf Don Warren Family Foundation Dr. Robert & Mrs. Jane Buchanan Elizabeth Hickman First Pioneer National Bank First Presbyterian Church Foltmer Drug Gaylord & Cheryl Mekelburg Hannelore Wells Hillcrest Care Center Hinkles Insurance Agency Interstate Irrigation, Inc. Jay Flaming Jewelers, Inc. Karen Goddard Kathy Deland Korf Continental Leigh Floral & Gift Linda Clark Main Street Insurance of Yuma LLC Managed Growth, Inc. In Honor of: Eric Farmer Marian Warren Mel Domine Murphy Brown of Yuma Owen Elder Pete Newton Petroleum Development Corp. Presbyterian Women’s Assoc. Progressive Women’s Club- In Honor Of Joy Akey Program Randi Ortner Randy and Bev Wenger Ralph & Maureen Ebert Roland R. Harr Rural Communities Resource Center Shara Berghuis Shop-All, Inc. South Forty Auto Body, LLC Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home Stalk Inc. Steve & Ann Brethauer TAN Memorial Golf Terry & Kay Oestman Theresa Newton Tom Parks Wray Community Health Clinic PC Wray Community Health Clinic Wray Hospital Auxiliary Wray State Bank Yoli R. Castillo Yuma County Abstact Yuma County Child Care Association Yuma County Commissioners Yuma County Department of Social Services Yuma County Head Start Yuma District Hospital & Clinics

PHILLIPS COUNTY (Cont.)PHILLIPS COUNTY (Cont.)PHILLIPS COUNTY (Cont.)PHILLIPS COUNTY (Cont.) Linda Jelden Lynn Schneider Martin Angus Ranch Pam Gibbs Phillips County Commissioners Phillips County Social Services S & W Auto Supply Susan Walters - Roll Troy & Kim Killin Troy & Michelle Van Overbeke

SEDGWICK COUNTYSEDGWICK COUNTYSEDGWICK COUNTYSEDGWICK COUNTY Bruce & Betsy Marquardt Doris Heath Jacqualyn Janeczko Jennifer Deam Liittjohann, Kauffman & Pederson CPA’s Olivia Busenbark Points West Community Bank Sedgwick County Commissioners Sedgwick County Social Services Sedgwick County Health Center Sedgwick County Rotary Club Shelley Whitcher Town of Julesburg

WASHINGTON COUNTYWASHINGTON COUNTYWASHINGTON COUNTYWASHINGTON COUNTY ABC Development Center Akron Dental Clinic LLC Bank of Colorado Cheryl Kraich The Farmers State Bank Gamma Omega Chapter Kevin & Cindy Hoyer Lila Kessinger Marta Wells Patricia Brewster Willeke Rebecca Meyer Richard & Sally Mullaney Scott & Brenda Chapin Washington County Child Care Association Washington County Connections Washington County Commissioners Washington County Social Services Washington County Title Co.

YUMA COUNTYYUMA COUNTYYUMA COUNTYYUMA COUNTY Anne Goddard Bank of Colorado Bob & Becky Bledsoe Bill & Marie Wenger Charlotte’s Beauty Salon Colorado Community Bank

REGIONAL SUPPORTERSREGIONAL SUPPORTERSREGIONAL SUPPORTERSREGIONAL SUPPORTERS CHS Community Cupboard Grayson Westfall, Laura Brunner, Anna Westfall James Doody KRDZ Kyle & Erin Seedorf Letha Thorn Linda Beargeon Linda Goerner Lisa Estrada Platte Valley Hearing Center Randall & Heather Doran Rick & Ruth Seedorf Richard D. Krugman Sibyl Goerner Tom & Myra Westfall Jack & Audrey Yee Westfall in honor of: Jane Westfall Tom & Myra Westfall Louise Westfall Sue Westfall Mary Westfall & Dale Rasmussen University of Colorado School of Medicine Colorado AHEC

Foundations and Grant Foundations and Grant Foundations and Grant Foundations and Grant SupportersSupportersSupportersSupporters A.V. Hunter Trust Bloedorn Foundation Caring for Colorado Foundation Colorado Bright Beginnings Colorado Children’s Trust El Pomar Group Heginbothan Trust Helen K. & Arthur E. Johnson Foundation John G. Duncan Foundation Mountain View Round-Up Sam S. Bloom Foundation Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation The Colorado Health Foundation Tony Grampsas Youth Services United Way—Logan County United Way————Morgan County

A special thanks also to those who have chosen not to be listed. We thank and

appreciate you all!

Financial Profile

Baby Bear Hugs changes the lives of families through trusting relationships with caring visitors who provide parenting education and support. One time and ongoing visits are available for all families with children 0 to 3 years old in 8 counties in Eastern Colorado. The “core” programs of Baby Bear Hugs include the programs of Bright Begin-nings, Ongoing Visits, Nurturing Parenting, Healthy Living, Ages and Stages De-velopmental and Social Emotional Screenings, and support groups. Programs of Colorado Bright Beginnings: • Program A This is a one time visit after the birth of the baby which includes

information on feeding, crying, sleeping, health, safety, and brain develop-ment.

• Program B Is delivered when the child is 12 - 24 months old, focusing on lan-guage development.

• Program C Will focus on the 24 - 36 month old child and include information on consistent and positive guidance and discipline.

Through the use of Ages & Stages we continue to educate parents about child Development and screen for appropriate development. The evidence-based Nurturing Parenting curriculum has been incorporated into the ongoing home visits and Nurturing Parenting Classes were provided two Times this past year. The newest program, Healthy Living, incorporates the evidence based Eating Smart, Being Active curriculum into selected visits.

Programs of Baby Bear Hugs

During Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Baby Bear Hugs provided:

789 program A, B, and C visits

(Bright Beginnings)

326 families received ongoing home visits

Nurturing Parenting Classes to 36 parents and 35 children

Nurturing Parenting Ongoing Curriculum to 39 parents and

children

Healthy Living Visits to 222 parents and children

55 Advisory Committee Members

51 Baby Bear Hugs Volunteers

State Prevention Grants 59,042 14.12%

Foundations 189,929 45.43%

Local Support 166,965 39.94%

Other 2,142 0.51%

TOTAL 418,078

A, B, C Visits 69,146 17%

Nurturing Parenting 26,953 6% Ongoing Home Visitation 265,977 64%

Fund Raising 14,989 4%

Administration 39,549 9%

TOTAL 416,614 100%

(total Spent) 416,614

State Prevention

Grants

14%

Foundations45%

Local Support

40%

Other1%

Contributions

A, B, C visits

17% Nurturing

Parenting6%

Ongoing Home

visitation64%

Fund Raising

4%

Administration

9%

Program & Support Services

Bulk RateBulk RateBulk RateBulk Rate

US PostageUS PostageUS PostageUS Postage

PAIDPAIDPAIDPAID

Yuma, ColoradoYuma, ColoradoYuma, ColoradoYuma, Colorado

Permit No. 33Permit No. 33Permit No. 33Permit No. 33

We’re on Facebook!

Baby Bear HugsBaby Bear HugsBaby Bear HugsBaby Bear Hugs

201 S. Main Street201 S. Main Street201 S. Main Street201 S. Main Street Yuma, CO 80759Yuma, CO 80759Yuma, CO 80759Yuma, CO 80759

970-848-5274 babybear@babybearhugs.org

www.babybearhugs.orgwww.babybearhugs.orgwww.babybearhugs.orgwww.babybearhugs.org

Board of DirectorsBoard of DirectorsBoard of DirectorsBoard of Directors Elbert County: Cathryn Reiber

Lincoln County: Pat McHone, Recorder

Logan County: Kirstin Schelling, Treasurer

Morgan County: Debra Tolson

Phillips County: Joe Kinnie

Sedgwick County: Kathy Reinhardt, Vice Chair

Washington County: Vacant

Yuma County: Owen Elder, Chair

At-Large: Sergio Sanchez

Games Manager: Cheryl Kraich

Locations:Locations:Locations:Locations:

Regional OfficeRegional OfficeRegional OfficeRegional Office 201 S. Main St. Yuma, CO 80759 970-848-5274

Ruth Seedorf, Executive Director ruth.seedorf@babybearhugs.org Linda Beargeon, Business Manager linda.beargeon@babybearhugs.org Letha Thorn, Administrative Assistant letha.thorn@babybearhugs.org

Elbert CountyElbert CountyElbert CountyElbert County P.O. Box 2262

Elizabeth, CO 80107 720-323-6970

Lincoln CountyLincoln CountyLincoln CountyLincoln County 326 8th St.

Hugo, CO 80821 719-743-2542X14

Logan CountyLogan CountyLogan CountyLogan County 130 S. 4th St.

Sterling, CO 80751 970-522-9411

Morgan CountyMorgan CountyMorgan CountyMorgan County 729 East Railroad

Ft. Morgan, CO 80701 970-867-4847 (HUGS)

Phillips CountyPhillips CountyPhillips CountyPhillips County 127 E. Denver, Suite D Holyoke, CO 80734

970-854-2921

Sedgwick CountySedgwick CountySedgwick CountySedgwick County

118 W. 3rd. Julesburg, CO 80737

970-474-3413

Washington CountyWashington CountyWashington CountyWashington County 181 Birch Ave.

Akron, CO 80720 970-345-2327 (BEAR)

Yuma CountyYuma CountyYuma CountyYuma County 340 S. Birch St. Wray, CO 80758 970-332-4623