 What is Project Family?
Project Family is a parenting program which provides structured, weekly classes for expectant mothers, parents and their infants (0-18 months), and parents and their young children (1-1/2 - 5 years). Classes are free, at easily accessible sites throughout the county, and most are year round. Project Family classes emphasize the importance of the parent-child relationship for good health and the optimal development of young children. Parents receive information and referrals as needed. Project Family is a partnership with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 4606. Missionproject Family's mission is working with Arlington parents-caregivers and their children from pre-birth to age 5 to optimize the children's growth and development and to promote parenting skills and health education. Goals- To provide free prenatal instruction for Arlington's Spanish-speaking expectant mothers/families;
- To provide free parenting skills instruction for Arlington non-native English and English-speaking parents-caregivers of 0 to 5 year old children;
- To help their 0 to 5 year old children develop school readiness, knowledge and skills;
- To provide these parents-caregivers with information and referrals to appropriate community resources
What are Project Family's goals?
- To enhance parenting skills of language minority, and other parents, and to empower parents to see themselves as their child's first teacher.
- To enhance the health and cognitive development of children. Children develop school readiness knowledge and skills, which are documented by the "Record of Developmental Milestones from Age 0 to 5" (for consistent participants).
- To provide information about and refer parents to appropriate community resources.
Who is served by the program?
Expectant mothers and parents/caregivers with children from newborn to kindergarten age (0 to 5) are served by Project Family. Project Family is open to all Arlington residents. The majority of the participants are Spanish speaking. Who pays for Project Family services?
Project Family is part of Arlington County's Department of Human Services (DHS) and is funded by the county. Project Family also receives grants from various foundations such as the March of Dimes. Grants from the Levine School of Music and Wolf Trap's Baby Steps provide professional musicians for selected classes. How can families be referred?
DHS professionals, schools, community organizations or individuals can refer clients to the Project Family office at 703/228-1549, 228-1548, 228-1545, or send them directly to scheduled classes. How long can Project Family services be provided?
Families may attend classes until their children reach school age. How can I get other questions answered?
Contact Gloria Starr, Project Family Coordinator, at 703/228-1549, or by e-mail at gstarr@arlingtonva.us. Back to Top | 
