Baby Bear Hugs

Background Statement

Baby Bear Hugs began as a grass roots, peer to peer, parent support program in the late 1980's in Yuma County, Colorado. Realizing that new parents sometimes lack support and understanding of child development, the local community organized trained volunteers, who were experienced parents, to reach out to new and isolated parents. The purpose was to provide parents with support, parenting education, connection to community resources, and build positive parenting and family strengths. The program's founding principles are that it is universal (available to all parents), participation is voluntary, and it is free for the families.

Over the years the program has expanded, transformed and intensified its services, utilizing trained, certified Parenting Educators to meet changing needs of families while keeping the original goals of providing parenting education and support. The program is now in 9 Counties in Eastern Colorado. Baby Bear Hugs continues to work to deliver a broad continuum of services to support families and meet their parenting needs.

The goal is that families will be stronger, children will grow up healthier and happier, and will give back to their communities as adults.