Free
To Grow (FTG) is a national demonstration program
testing an innovative approach to two closely related public
health problems – substance abuse and child abuse. Free to
Grow is not a curricular intervention. Instead, FTG utilizes
a comprehensive approach bringing together Head Start’s
collaborative efforts with broad based community partners to
support locally tailored, integrated approaches to
strengthening families and communities. Program strategies
target the young child’s overall environment, not the child.
The
Marathon County Child
Development Agency, Inc.(MCCDA) was chosen as one
of the fifteen national demonstration sites for the FTG
program. Over the past four years (2001–2005) MCCDA’s Head
Start program along with their partner agencies have
incorporated a broad range of strategies, including enhanced
family and community assessment activities designed to
identify the
strengths/needs
of families of young children; intensive case management,
substance abuse and mental health treatment for high risk
families; and community action to implement community
change. The FTG initiative in Wausau, WI hopes that our
local efforts has started the process which will continue to
build environments and systems where children are truly
“Free to Grow”.
For additional information on Free to Grow’s program in
Marathon County contact: Cathy Howe, Director, MCCDA Head
Start (715) 845-2947
chowe@mccdahs.org; for information regarding the FTG
national demonstration program visit the national website at
www.freetogrow.org.

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