Exceptional Parents Unlimited   Fresno, CA

    The mission of Exceptional Parents Unlimited is to strengthen and empower children and families facing extraordinary medical, developmental, and parenting challenges. 

    Since its founding in 1976, EPU has developed a wide range of programs to meet the needs of at-risk families in the Central Valley. Their goal is to help children grow up in healthy, supportive families in which their individual needs are met. EPU understands the necessity of parents having confidence in themselves and their ability to meet the challenges of raising a family.

    The Whitney Foundation is helping to fund the Learning About Parenting program (LAP). The LAP program focuses on families that suffer from overwhelming situations such as recovery from drug and alcohol abuse, teen parenthood, and parents with developmental disabilities. Many of the families have been referred to EPU because they are at risk of having their children removed due to neglect or abuse. Classes provided focus on anger management, nurturing parenting, tobacco cessation, life skills, and health and safety education.

    Specifically, the Whitney Foundation’s funding provides a Developmental Assistant who works directly with parents and children. The Developmental Assistant will implement the “Play and Grow” program with the family. Parents and children participate in singing and interactive play experiences. Children develop goals relating to socialization and language development skills. The Developmental Assistant will work with the LAP program’s Lead Teacher, provide a safe environment for the children, transport families to and from the EPU center, and observe parent-child interactions.
The Whitney Foundation is very happy to help implement EPU’s LAP program. Children are assisted in developing self-esteem and independence, while adults strive to overcome obstacles such as substance abuse, domestic violence, multigenerational child abuse, and poverty as they become effective, confident parents.