We at Good Beginnings of Sullivan County strive to promote the optimal health and development of children and families in our region.
Our Beliefs
- We believe that the parent-child relationship is the most critical factor in the development of emotional, cognitive, physical and social health of children.
- We believe that the development of a trusting, respectful, genuine caring relationship between parents and those who help them is essential.
- We believe that prevention is better than intervention, and that all families deserve voluntary and timely access to family health and support services.
- We believe that families are the experts about their own lives.
- We welcome parents as partners in the governance of the agency.
- We encourage laughter and joy in our interactions with children and families and with our colleagues.
- We believe that nothing is more important in life than our relationships with each other.
Our Services
Good Beginnings is a primary prevention program offering comprehensive family support services to all families regardless of ability to pay. The services provided by Good Beginnings include:
- home visits by nurses and certified parent educators to any pregnant woman or family expecting a baby or who has a young child
- parent education classes and support groups
- case management services
- lactation consultation and childbirth classes
- resource and referral services
- a supervised visitation center where non-custodial parents can have visits with their children
- a children's boutique with affordable quality children's clothing, books, toys and furniture
Funding
A mix of public and private grants, donations, earned revenues from the thrift store, and third-party reimbursement, provides our funding. Good Beginnings is the founding agency of the Diana Love Center for Children and Families, a family resource center in Claremont where numerous family support agencies are co-located including:
- Familystrength, behavioral health services
- Working Futures, providing job training
- Childcare Resource and Referral
- School-based oral health initiative
- Claremont school district's Schools of the 21st Century Program
- Cornerstone Christian School, a faith-based K-12 school
- Bryant Academy, a private school for learning-disabled students
Our Staff
Services are provided by a team of 14 employees and 30 volunteers. Agency oversight is provided by an 11-member Board of Directors.