Parenting Matters primed for growth thanks to $400,000 grant from Barancik Foundation

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
Parenting Matters serves approximately 2,000 parents and children each year through multiple education and support services. From left, Parenting Matters board president Valerie Longo, program director Kelly Benford, and executive director Katie Becker.
Parenting Matters serves approximately 2,000 parents and children each year through multiple education and support services. From left, Parenting Matters board president Valerie Longo, program director Kelly Benford, and executive director Katie Becker.

Parenting Matters is expanding its education and support programs to broaden the impact on families in Manatee and Sarasota counties. After years of growth and a recent transition in executive leadership, the organization is well situated to build capacity and expand the framework of the organization thanks to a recent gift from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.

“Recent years have brought attention to the need to support parents in raising healthy, confident, and thriving children and our team has been working diligently to meet that need,” said Kelly Benford, program director of Parenting Matters.

Benford transitioned to program director in 2018 and the organization has since added 10 positions. Today, Parenting Matters employs 19 staff, four contractors, and serves approximately 2,000 parents and children each year through multiple parenting education and support services.

In recent years, Parenting Matters has expanded programs from in-home parenting education, parenting groups, and Musical Motion to include educational advocacy, respite, and wraparound support for families formed through adoption. Musical Motion, a popular early learning playgroup, has doubled in community reach and now offers classes at 10 sites weekly throughout the community.

Earlier in 2022, Katie Becker was named executive director from the board of directors of Parenting Matters after years of being a long-time supporter.

“Coming on board, I remain impressed how Parenting Matters’ professionals build genuine trust with families and help create a positive solution together that can impact generations,” Becker said. “With a talented team and strong board of directors, we are primed to expand our capacity, fortify our operational infrastructure, and enhance our programs for families, impacting both young children and their parents. We are so appreciative to the Barancik Foundation for recognizing the vital role parents play in our community and investing in parenting education and support.”

For Parenting Matters’ program offerings and more information, visit parentingmattersfl.org or call 941-756-3007.

Submitted by Matt Sauer

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Parenting Matters primed for growth thanks to $400,000 Barancik grant