Our Mission ~
To build healthy communities by promoting and supporting the growth and development of families.

About Us ~
The La Plata Family Centers Coalition is a community organization providing neighborhood-based centers focused on supporting family strengths and healthy child development in La Plata County. The Coalition supports, nurtures and celebrates all families regardless of personal background or belief. Programs provide a non-judgmental atmosphere where strengths are built upon and shared with other families.

Volunteers play a significant role at the Coalition and many opportunities for volunteer work are available. The organization was founded upon the belief that volunteerism develops individual life skills which are essential to strong and healthy families and communities.

Through participation in-group activities, families develop friendships that provide informal supports and networking opportunities. Families gain valuable experience in leadership when they participate at the Centers, which can be applied to activism in the community.

The Coalition staff and Board of Directors continually assess the changing needs of families and develop programs that address current, meaningful issues. The Centers create a network which provides a one-step referral source to programs within the Coalition, as well as many other programs and agencies within the community.

What We Do ~
In these days, when villages have been replaced by cites, and extended families are scattered across the country, we have to create new ways to meet the needs of families and children. The La Plata Family Centers Coalition does just that!

The La Plata Family Center Coalition (LPFCC) is a not for profit agency funded by state, local and foundation support with 4 sites which serve La Plata County (Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio and Fort Lewis Mesa).

• In the last year, 4000 families have received services from a Family Center in La Plata County. Out of a population of 40,000 that is 10%!
   
• The LPFCC focuses on supporting family strengths and healthy child development, as well as granting services to families in crisis or in need of resources, information, support or planning.
   
• The Family Centers are an extended network of neighborhood-based centers that offer a one-stop referral source to programs within the Coalition, as well as many other programs and agencies with the community we serve.
   
• The Family Center seeks to build community, reduce family isolation and strengthen families by linking families together to lend each other the nurturing support once found in extended family networks and small communities.

We bring our important mission to life by providing the community with a variety of unique programs and services to suit their individual needs. They are as follows:

Durango Family Center
970-385-4747

Information & Referral
Parent Education
   •  Parenting Classes
   •  Toy Lending Library
   •  Swing Time
   •  Tumbling Tots Classes
   •  Parents As Teachers (PAT)
   •  Bright Beginnings

Community Playroom
   •  Open 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 4 pm daily

Developmental Playgroups
Support Groups
   •   Multiple Sclerosis
   •  Multiple Joys – parents of multiple births
   •  Parent Action Group
   •  Foster Care Night Out

Family Support
   •   Safe Exchange & Supervised Visitation
   •  Family Advocacy
   •  Respite Childcare
   •  Family Resource Planning
   •  Treasure Chest – food and clothing bank
   •  Diaper Bank
   •  Information & Referral

Bayfield / Ignacio Family Centers
970-884-9750

Information & Referral
Parent Education
Developmental Playgroups
Family Support
Childcare, After School Enrichment Program & Summer Fun Day Camp

Fort Lewis Mesa Family Center
970-588-3366

Information & Referral
Parent Education
Support Groups (various)
Summer Home Visitation Program
Variety of Community Functions (i.e. – roller skating, martial arts, sign language, Spanish)

Board of Directors
Eric Eicher - President
Rick Bean - Vice-President
Kyle McIntosh-Tharp -Secretary
Pakhi Chaudhuri - Treasurer