Colorado Springs

Lisa Schulz is the Bright Beginnings Program Coordinator with First Visitor at Peak Vista Community Health Centers in Colorado Springs. She has a BFA in Graphic Communication and a Masters in Project Management. Lisa has worked with several local nonprofits in a variety of positions over the years, as well as serving a term in AmeriCorps developing a technology program for nonprofits. One thing she enjoys about Bright Beginnings is the satisfaction and instant gratification of helping a family in need. She says “To instantly see and feel relief from a family from the services we provide is priceless.”

 

The First Visitor program started as a separate nonprofit with the purpose of being a primary child abuse prevention program. In 2003, First Visitor was absorbed by Peak Vista Community Health Centers and, to this date, is still the only universally available extended home visitation program in the Pikes Peak Region. First Visitor works with parents with children ages 0-3 to teach parenting skills, promote positive care giving and maternal/child health, and to establish links to other community resources. Additionally, First Visitor offers case management to English and Spanish speaking families who are at risk of out-of-home child placement and/or in need of a high number of support services.

 

Matt Payne, Manager of Business Development and Partnerships, recently wrote “The Bright Beginnings programs are highly valuable assets to this agency and community. The materials and services provided are an integral part of this community’s strategy for the prevention of child abuse and the education of new parents. Many other agencies in our area turn to these programs for guidance and services in order to fill gaps that are unfilled by any other program.”