United Way of Indian River County proudly announces its partnership with The Buggy Bunch to support the launch of the Thriving Families program. This initiative is dedicated to reuniting families facing separation in Indian River County by providing vital Supervised Visitation services.
The Thriving Families program offers children separated from their families the opportunity to maintain essential relationships with their parents while working towards reunification and long-term stability. United Way recognizes the significance of this program and has committed $10,000 in support.
Expressing enthusiasm for the partnership, Meredith Egan, CEO of United Way of Indian River County, stated, “We are excited to support The Buggy Bunch’s Thriving Families program. Their unique ability to provide the assurance that families are safe as they rebuild relationships in a warm, inviting setting is a perfect addition to the array of services for our community.”
Under the guidance of expertly trained staff, children and their non-custodial parents engage in quality time together within a secure and nurturing environment. The program offers a range of services including education, observation, documentation, and intervention as needed to ensure a positive experience for all involved.
Judge Cynthia Cox, a dedicated advocate for the project, emphasized its significance in Indian River County, stating, “Families, children, and the courts of this community have been without this resource for many years which means they have not been able to have contact as a result. Today is a great day and we in the courts can’t wait to get started. We are very excited and can’t wait to start making our referrals to the Buggy Bunch. The Buggy Bunch staff and Board should be applauded for working so diligently to make this a reality.”
United Way acknowledges the importance of Thriving Families in facilitating reunification amidst circumstances such as divorce or parental absence. Developed to provide a secure space for rebuilding fractured bonds, the program ensures supervised visitation with proper security measures overseen by members of the Vero Beach Police Department.
Referrals for the program typically originate from the 19th Circuit Judicial Court System, with supervised visits lasting 1.5 hours on a weekly or biweekly basis. The Buggy Bunch Family Center offers a dedicated Learning LOFT for non-residential parents and children to utilize during their visits. Additionally, Thriving Families extends a court-ordered Monitored Exchange Service, enabling parents to safely exchange custody of their children.
For more information about the Thriving Families program, please contact The Buggy Bunch located at 1450 21st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 at (772) 226-0038 or [email protected].
About United Way of Indian River County
United Way of Indian River County (UWIRC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every community member. United Way works with local programs to provide resources to individuals and families in crisis today while working year-round to improve community conditions and create lasting solutions. We are effectively building a strong foundation and improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. For more information about your local United Way, please call (772) 567-8900 or visit our website, UnitedWayIRC.org.
