The Preston, Tucker and Barbour County Family Resource Networks (FRN), Starting Points Family Resource Centers (SPFRC) and Parents as Teachers (PAT) programs partnered to host a Legislative Dinner recently in Reedsville, WV.

Thirty-five people attended including special guests Senator Dave Sypolt, Senator Randy Smith, Delegate Danny Wagner, Delegate Tony Lewis and Delegate Terri Sypolt.

Barb Thorn, Director of the Preston County FRN coordinated the dinner and welcomed everyone, encouraging participants to keep in mind one simple question, “Is It Good For Children and Families?”, when making decisions on policy and programming.
April Miller, Director of the Tucker County FRN discussed the strong history of local level successes that each FRN in the region has achieved over the past 2 decades as well as the regional, state and national level successes brought forth by the FRN’s in the Region 3, Inter Mountain Collaborative.

Linda Watson, Director of the Barbour County FRN highlighted the many years of service and expertise that each FRN, FRC and PAT county director has accumulated as well as the hard work and dedication that has produced a wide range of family centered services over the past 23 years.

Angie Davis, PAT Director and Kay Dewitt, SPFRC Coordinator discussed the relationship between their programs and the FRN’s and how this partnership has enabled them to achieve success in their activities including the “Blue Ribbon Affiliate” Status from the National Parents as Teachers Program.

Each of the legislators shared their stories and discussed the challenges that the state is facing. They also expressed their optimism regarding the future of WV and spoke in strong support of the FRN’s, stressing the importance that each program continue to make their voices heard and to educate delegates and senators across the state on the positive impact that these family support programs create.