Today, Rep. Aguilar announced that Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health, Inc.’s (RSBCIHI) Tribal Family Partners program will receive $1,116,000 from the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Early Child Development.

The Tribal Family Partners provides culturally responsive parental education that prioritizes family well-being and parent-child interaction. This program also builds a community for Native parents and children to connect and engage with each other.

“I’m proud to have secured this funding to support Native parents with the resources they need to raise their children in a safe and stable environment,” said Rep. Aguilar. “Parents in our community work hard to raise the next generation of bright, compassionate and capable citizens. They deserve to have a strong community to rely on, and federal support when they need it.”

“The funding for this grant will allow the staff of the Tribal Family Partners Program to implement an evidence-based home visiting model with cultural adaptations to families with Native children ranging from prenatal to kindergarten entry to all families who reside in Riverside and San Bernardino County. The needs of families from pregnancy through kindergarten entry are diverse and unique to the individual families served. Our aim is to strengthen the bond of the entire family through education, family interaction and communication,” said Bill Thomsen, CEO of RSBCIHI.

The grant announcement comes at the close of Native American Heritage Month.

Rep. Aguilar serves as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.