News

Curious about how the shift to hybrid and virtual visiting has worked since the COVID-19 pandemic? Below is an excerpt from a Mercury News article featuring our California State Director, Whitney Evans, and site staff from SOMOS Mayfair describing how the change has worked for San Jose families:

In 2020, ParentChild+ served 291 children and their families in California. When COVID-19 hit in March 2020, “we had no idea if our families were going to leave or if they were going to stay,” said Whitney Evans, California’s director for ParentChild+.

But, Evans said, they found that switching from in-person to virtual — although it was a huge change — allowed ParentChild+ to reach more families. Those with tough living situations such as homelessness, constant moving or extremely crowded situations couldn’t always meet in person.

Switching to a virtual program has helped parents take the initiative and lead. Before, a specialist would model certain behaviors. Now advisers and parents talk things out instead.

Liz Salas, coordinator of ParentChild+ with Somos Mayfair, said, “The virtual world gives us the opportunity to empower the caregiver to take the lead, to do it, because we are not there.”

The full article in the Mercury News is available here.