A family is a unit of interdependent and interacting persons, related together over time by strong social and emotional bonds and/or ties of marriage, birth and adoption. The family’s central purpose is to create, maintain and promote the social, mental, physical and emotional development and well being of each of its members. Linking Families & Communities Empowerment Area holds the philosophy that to support our families we believe that prevention of factors, which cause children to be at risk, will help assure that the health, shelter, social/emotional and intellectual needs of every child will be met. This prevention philosophy is built upon these principles:

• Each family has strengths and is responsible for a child’s well-being and development
• Each family has a right to access quality services that support self-sufficiency
• Early intellectual stimulation of children is critical
• Each child has a right to be safe, healthy, educated and nurtured
• Every child has the right to quality, accessible and affordable child care
• All adults in the community have the responsibility of nurturing children

Elizabeth Stanek, Executive Director

822 Central Ave, Ste 340
Fort Dodge, Ia 50501
(515) 955-5437
Email: estanek@linking-families.com

Marcie Lentsch, Early Childhood Specialist

822 Central Ave, Ste 340
Fort Dodge, Ia 50501
(515) 955-5437
Email: mlentsch@linking-families.com

Andrea Harrison, Decategorization Coordinator

822 Central Avenue, Ste. 340
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Email: aharrison@linking-families.com

Jacque Heiter, Parent Partner Coordinator

822 Central Avenue, Ste. 340
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Email: jheiter@linking-families.com