COURT HOUSE — Ten Cape May County families will graduate from a free parenting program taking a proactive stance against child abuse and neglect on June 8, at a Teddy Bear Picnic at the Cape May County Zoo picnic area.

Delighted children in hand-decorated graduation caps with stuffed bears in tow will also enjoy games, face painting, bubbles and a trip to the zoo with their families.

The picnic lasts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the graduation ceremony beginning around noon.

Operated by Holy Redeemer since July 1996, Cape May Healthy Families TIP (TANF Initiative for Parents) provides information on health care education, literacy and parenting to families with young children. Currently about 115 local families receive assistance.

Families are referred from county agencies but participation is voluntary. A case manager works with each family for up to three years to ensure support for both the parent and child.

Chapter representatives visit mothers for about an hour each week to teach them how to play with their child to encourage learning and about normal growth and development.

Parents also learn about infant sleeping patterns, the dangers of smoking around a newborn, nutrition, breastfeeding and meet in a support group once a month at Holy Redeemer.

Margate resident, Peggy Smith, Cape May Healthy Families TIP program manager, has led the program since its beginning and will be at the picnic and available for interviews.

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