Family Wellbeing Grant Opportunity: Reducing Stress, Trauma, and Isolation
Early experiences matter, and a child’s earliest relationships – starting prenatally – are the foundation for healthy development. Reducing parental stress, isolation, and trauma is one way to support attuned, positive, and safe early parent-child relationships.
From the Rapid Assessment of Pandemic Impact on Development- Early Childhood (RAPID-EC) project, we know that caregivers with young children reported higher levels of emotional distress, particularly among families of color disproportionality impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For pregnant people and caregivers experiencing high levels of emotional distress, this affects their own wellbeing and can have an adverse impact on children’s early development.
To support families, Perigee Fund seeks to resource organizations across Washington State working to mitigate the increased level of stress, trauma, and isolation for families impacted by the compounding economic and health crises of COVID-19 and systemic racism. Parenting and caregiving are deeply rooted in culture, are fundamentally about relationships, and are shaped by the environment. Given this, we believe programs that support pregnant people and parents are most effective when design and delivery are informed by members of the community; acknowledging historical trauma and the importance of culture.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED
October 22, 2020
QUESTION / CONTACT
Gloris Estrella
The Opportunity
This funding opportunity is focused on pregnant people and families traditionally not well-served by formal systems of mental health care. These populations include black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), undocumented families, frontline workers, and rural families. Applicants will be eligible for general operating support grants of up to $50,000 for six months, and funds are intended to strengthen existing programs led by community-based organizations, including both formal and informal mental health supports.
Our hope is that the grants will strengthen the wellbeing of pregnant people and parents/caregivers with young children (0-5 years old), along with their children, in the following ways:
- Increase connection to reduce stress, trauma and isolation;
- Support culturally specific and community-specific approaches that promote emotional wellbeing and healthy relationships;
- Support services that strengthen caregiver and child relationships.
Perigee Fund honors diverse family structures and recognizes caregivers beyond biological mothers and fathers to include kin, grandparents, and foster parents.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Perigee seeks partners that reflect the diversity of the communities across the state and who are committed to centering family and community voices in strategy, design, and execution of their work.
Eligibility and How to Apply
New and existing partners are eligible to apply. The grant review process is expected to be competitive. Applications are due by 5pm on October 22, 2020. Grants will be awarded by December 1, 2020.
If applying online in English or Spanish is a barrier, please contact Gloris Estrella to discuss options.