Storyteller Children’s Center implements new Family Advocate Program for homeless children in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – It’s a busy day at Storyteller Children's Center in Santa Barbara.
“We are providing high-quality early childhood education through a trauma informed lens," said executive director Gabriella Garcia of Storyteller CHildren's Center.
Leaders of the nonprofit organization say there is currently a childcare crisis in Santa Barbara.
"They’re just aren’t enough spots in Santa Barbara for childcare, especially high-quality, childcare, affordable childcare even if families have the ability to pay they’re just are not enough spot," said Garcia.
Thanks to  a $55,000 grant from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, the children’s center launched a family advocate program.
“Because of the Women’s Fund, we’ve been able to partner with family service agency to create this program. She provides 30 hours a week to our families, helping them access, resources and whatever it is that they might need," said Garcia.
Managers of the organization are hoping this new advocate program will help more families in need throughout Santa Barbara County.
"A family advocate really adds another layer of services and when I say services, I mean a private space where families can go and talk with this person and talk about resources that are individualized. It also gives them access to a person that is Spanish-speaking, which often our families provide or lead as well," said director of developent Heather Martinez of Storyteller Children's Center.
The on-site family advocate also helps address employment, education, custody and legal matters.
"100 percent of our families are living under the poverty line ... so many of those are unhoused ... some living in their cars or hotels, and we are trying so hard to mitigate the effects that our children are experiencing," said Garcia.
The program currently supports more than 60 families of at-risk preschool children in Santa Barbara.
The children come from families facing challenges related to trauma, housing insecurity, hunger, mental health and substance abuse.
The children's center operates year-round, from morning through evening, and takes a comprehensive trauma-informed therapeutic approach to the entire family.
The advocate leads a parent group to empower and encourage parents in their childrearing challenges.
Leaders of the program said early intervention and connecting families with appropriate services helps address challenges before they become too complex or debilitating.
