KRESA Brings Parents as Teachers and New Play Spaces to Families in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo, MI (May 2024)—At a recent parent focus group in an underserved corner of Kalamazoo, families in need were asked a simple question: “What are the barriers to engaging your family with KRESA services?” A brave female raised her hand with an emotional answer: fear of judgment and stigma. This mother of young ones worried that a home visit by KRESA to assess needed services would result in criticism of her family’s housing predicament and reporting of her living situation – so she avoided them, foregoing services her family truly needs. Other parents nodded in agreement. Creating common spaces for these visits emerged as a solution.
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