School district staff describe "Peeps" family resource center offering clothing, food and parenting supports for LCSD1 families

A staff member representing Laramie County School District #1 described the district's Peeps Family Resource Center as a centralized hub that connects families with community resources and direct supports.

"Welcome to the Peeps family resource center. Peeps stands for parent engagement and educational partnerships with schools," the staff member said, calling the program a "one stop shop for Laramie County School District Number One families to get connected to community resources and receive assistance in support of their students' academic needs."

Established in 2019 using Title IV funding, the staff member said the district developed Peeps as a districtwide program to meet growing family needs. The presenter described the center as the district's centralized operation for family support, district- and community-centered resources, and outreach.

The staff member listed tangible supports available through Peeps and its community partners, saying the program helps families obtain coats, mittens, food and supplies, and assists families who need help completing applications. "They have been a tremendous help to our families and students. They give the families resources from coats, mittens, food, supplies to helping families fill out applications if they need help with that as well," the staff member said.

Peeps also maintains a care closet with items available at no charge to families with students enrolled in the district. "Families can receive shoes, clothing, hygiene products and other items as needed," the presenter said, and added that the program provides trainings and materials for parents.

The staff member said Peeps offers free "Parenting with Love and Logic" sessions, a monthly support group for parents and guardians of children with autism, and behavior workshops that address common family needs. To illustrate the program's emergency role, the presenter recounted a recent case in which a family's house burned down and said Peeps provided services and support that the family might not have received elsewhere.

The staff member closed by expressing gratitude for the program and the district staff who run it, saying the district is "very fortunate to have those folks working there with our kids and our families."