PB&J Family Services receives $99,984 grant

PB&J Family Services, a child-abuse prevention program, has received a $99,984 grant from the Daniels Fund for its therapeutic preschools in Albuquerque and in Bernalillo.

The preschools serve children from birth to five years old, and their families, in an intensive interactive parenting program that helps parents learn the skills they need to provide safe, and loving, homes for their children. The schools also provide a stimulating developmental program for the children. A parent must attend the preschool with a child.

“The grant will enable PB&J to revamp and update the preschool curriculum, enhance service to families, and implement an evaluation project,” Angie Vachio, executive director of PB&J, said.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Therapeutic Preschool began operating in 1972, in Albuquerque's South Valley. During the past year, the preschools served more than 560 children and parents. The program serves primarily low-income children from families challenged by mental illness, developmental disabilities, incarceration, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Approximately 15 percent of the children are in foster care, having been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect.

PB&J is the 2005 nonprofit recipient of the Samaritan Ethics Award.

Meals on Wheels takes innovative turn

Albuquerque Meals on Wheels is taking an innovative approach to providing “special diet” frozen meals and pantry boxes to rural and isolated areas. Currently Meals on Wheels is the only provider of hot or frozen special-diet meals (heart healthy, diabetic, high protein) outside institutions such as hospitals. Meals on Wheels collaborates with the Roadrunner Food Bank and the New Mexico Association of Food Banks to distribute pantry-box meals throughout the state.

Through a 2005 Palmer Fund grant that resulted from a Medicaid settlement filed by John Palmer and AARP and litigated by the Senior Services Law Firm, in Albuquerque, funding was made available for medical-diet frozen meals and pantry boxes for Medicaid-eligible and other low-income seniors in rural and outlying areas of Torrance, Valencia, Sandoval, and Bernalillo counties.

This special-diet hunger-relief program has potential for broad impact on homebound individuals who are frail elderly disabled, or may even be critically ill. The frozen and pantry-box meals to be made available can impact overall health and quality of life, enabling seniors to stay in the safety of their homes and out of expensive long-term care.

Call (505) 823-8070 for more information.