Flexible Schedule
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Concord, CA 94521
We Care Services for Children is looking to expand the membership of its Board of Directors. The ideal candidate joins a remarkable group of dedicated and passionate volunteers whose guidance and support ensure the continued success of We Care’s programs. We exist to help Contra Costa’s most vulnerable and at-risk young children and our Board Members provide the agency with the expertise, wisdom, and effort necessary to fulfill our mission and commitment to this community. About We Care Services for Children 64 years ago, parents of children with developmental and cognitive disabilities founded We Care to address the lack of treatment options for their at-risk children. These parents understood the complex needs of their sons and daughters and forged an agency that has since evolved to address a broad range of developmental and mental health concerns - all while keeping focus on each child and family and their specific strengths. Since then, We Care’s services have evolved and expanded to encompass a wide array of developmental, educational, and mental health programming. Our understanding of the true roots of social, emotional, and behavioral problems has grown along with the corresponding improvement in the science that guides us and in response, many of our programs have shifted focus to encompass our response to the impact of trauma related to neglect and family or community violence. The measured outcomes our clients experience support the value of these changes and today, thousands upon thousands of children and families have graduated from We Care’s programs with dramatically improved outcomes. Mission Statement Through targeted, compassionate, and effective early intervention services, We Care helps the most vulnerable children in our community reach their full potential, regardless of their abilities or circumstances. We Care’s Services Annually, we impact more than 1,200 children and family members from our community’s most vulnerable populations. Developmental. Early intervention in the first three years can significantly improve intellectual, physical, communicative, adaptive, and emotional developmental outcomes. Too, these services strengthen each family’s ability to advocate and care for their children. Programs include developmentally enhanced low-income preschool classrooms, parent-child developmental playgroups and a relationship-focused classroom for toddlers with autism. Mental Health. Early intervention mental health programs improve outcomes for children facing the likelihood of significant emotional and behavioral disruption of their development. Studies have shown that mental health programs delivered early and effectively create significant and lasting improvement in areas of parenting stress, abuse, empathy toward the child, and, in the child, improvement in cognitive and social development. Programs include attachment-based clinical services, a family-driven wraparound program, a preschool consultation program for preschoolers at risk of expulsion, an infant-caregiver bonding program and intensive foster care services. Why Our Work Matters Early intervention maximizes impact. Early childhood experiences from birth to age five affect the development of the brain's structure, which provides the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health. Healthy development in the early years provides the building blocks for school success, stable employment, lifelong health, strong communities, and successful parenting of the next generation. We Care provides critical help at the time it’s needed most. Our work supports the whole family. We Care addresses a broad range of family needs and provides effective solutions. Each of our programs includes parent participation, education, and support. Early intervention is cost-effective. Significant research shows that for every dollar spent on early intervention, $4 to $7 in savings are realized over time as children avoid foster care, special education, judicial intervention, and health costs. We Care helps at-risk children (and their families) who need us the most, at a time we can offer the greatest impact. What We Are Looking for in our Board Members Fundamental board responsibilities include program and resource oversight, strategic planning and organizational assessment. Given current goals, our organization is particularly interested in new board members whose background, interests, and ideas strengthen We Care’s connection with the multiple diverse communities we serve. Our ideal Board Member can also provide insights and expertise that will enhance community awareness of We Care’s unique capabilities and services and can help build the financial support needed to sustain, enhance and expand these programs. If you are interested in learning more about board membership with We Care, please contact Pete Caldwell, Executive Director at pcaldwell@wecarechildren.org.
Date Posted: Oct 31, 2024