The Parenting Connection of Monterey County’s (PCMC) mission is that all families in Monterey County benefit from equitable access to resources that reduce stigma, eliminate barriers, and provide support towards building positive parent-child interaction and family wellness through education and programming from pregnancy to age five. When caregivers are effectively supported, families thrive and children flourish.

PCMC provides free, bilingual, culturally responsive Maternal Mental Health support services in East Salinas and South Monterey County. Our services include a postpartum warmline where families can connect to our services, be referred to other services in the community, and receive paraprofessional counseling support. Additionally, we offer Family Circles in nine locations in the county through which families receive evidence-based guidance and support to strengthen the caregiver-child relationship as well as a safe space to receive mental health support during the perinatal year. PCMC is also working to establish a peer-topeer network of trained community members with the goal of establishing support circles throughout the county. Additionally, Circle of Security Parenting and Childbirth Education series are offered quarterly. PCMC provides regular community outreach and service provider training as well. PCMC is a proud member of the Maternal Mental Health Task Force and is heavily involved in countywide efforts to support Maternal Mental Health programming, advocacy, and education.

PCMC is an emerging nonprofit that, like many others, barely survived through the pandemic. However, we have emerged stronger and have grown exponentially in the past two years, hiring staff and expanding our services within the county. Studies have shown that mental health is a crisis in this country, and the limited data suggest that 1 in 5 women experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD), commonly referred to as postpartum depression; however there is evidence to suggest the actual statistic is likely higher, certainly among more vulnerable populations. We appreciate your gift which allows us to continue our existing work, and also to strive to meet the unmet demand for our services and programming. We are a visionary organization, and we invite you to join us as we partner and innovate in new and exciting ways to serve our families.

Please support this worthy program generously.