Dunebrook will have an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at its new location at 502 Wall St., Suite 105. A ribbon-cutting will take place at 4:30. Refreshments will be provided by Blackbird Café.
Dunebrook is the Region 2 Director of Community Partners, an initiative of the Indiana Department of Child Services, supporting over-stressed families. The goal of Community Partners is to connect families with the supports they need so they remain out of the child welfare system. Region 2 comprises Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Starke, Jasper and Pulaski counties.
Dunebrook also delivers the Early Head Start program in Porter and LaPorte counties under the direction of Geminus Corp. EHS incorporates early literacy programs with parent education and support.
Dunebrook's parent support programs include the Nurturing Families Home-Based Mandated Program, which began offering services July 1. This model provides intervention to high-risk families to help prevent further escalation of maltreatment and family dysfunction, and is customized to meet the individual needs of each family.
Dunebrook serves 300 families each month in home-visitation programs and parenting classes, presents Body Safety in elementary schools, and supports law enforcement and child protection agencies with forensic interviews. For more information about Community Partners, Early Head Start or other programs at Dunebrook, call (800) 897-0007 or visit www.dunebrook.org