For a kid, the Christmas season is a magical time. We may have treasured memories of church services, carols, cookies and presents.
And shouldn’t every child have beautiful Christmas memories?
The Avera Family Wellness Program in collaboration with the Family Visitation Center brought holiday cheer to underserved families registered in their program with two holiday parties. This idea first came from Tara Barrick, CMA, medical assistant and scheduler.
“I love Christmas; it’s a special time of year for me,” said Barrick. “We serve families that often don’t have their own Christmas traditions or the ability to pay for extra things during the holidays, so this is our opportunity to gift something really magical.”
What Is the Avera Family Wellness Program?
It’s an Avera partnership with five title 1 schools throughout the Sioux Falls School District. Licensed mental health clinicians work with referred children from kindergarten to fifth grade for individual and family therapy at school and their office location.
Most children and families they see come from homes with lower incomes, perhaps only one parent lives in the home, or the family is encountering other types of struggles. This program is completely funded by the United Way and Avera Foundation so patients do not pay additional fees for services.
The Avera Family Wellness Program aligns with Avera’s mission: helping children, with inclusion of their families, and positively impacting their academic, emotional, social and behavioral growth.
“We communicate with the student’s school and teacher,” said Heidi Thomas, CSW-PIP, Program Supervisor, Avera clinical social worker and therapist. “It’s a way these children can feel fully supported, from our program to the classroom as well as their home.”
