Bringing Families Together Launches Parenting+Plus Program & Announces Team Coordinator

At Bringing Families Together (BFT), we believe that strong families create strong futures for children. That’s why we are thrilled to introduce our Parenting+Plus Program (P+P) — a transformative initiative designed to help parents develop essential skills, improve relationships, and ultimately shorten out-of-home placements for children and youth.

This vital program provides FREE support to parents navigating the challenges of reunification, offering them the tools and guidance needed to build a healthier family dynamic.

How Parenting+Plus Supports Families

Through Parenting+Plus, we focus on fostering stronger connections between parents and children by offering:

• Weekly supervised parent-child visits – allowing families to interact in a safe, structured environment that promotes bonding and positive interactions;

• Follow-up progress reports – helping parents understand their growth, set goals, and receive the necessary guidance to continue improving their relationships, and

• Ongoing support and education – equipping parents with practical parenting techniques and emotional support to navigate their unique situations.

Learn more about our P+P Program and the support efforts of our Family Support Specialists on our Parenting+Program page and more about our team on our Teams page.

Karen Johnson Promoted to Family Support Coordinator

To oversee the development and success of the Parenting+Plus Program, we are pleased to announce the promotion of Karen Johnson to Family Support Coordinator!

Karen has been a dedicated member of the BFT family since 2007. With over 18 years of experience at BFT, she brings invaluable knowledge and passion to her new leadership role.

She holds M.A., M.Ed., and B.A. degrees and is also a Red Cross Certified Trainer in First Aid, CPR, and AED (Adult, Child & Infant).

When asked about her favorite thing about working at BFT, Karen shared:

"BFT has been my second home for many years. I treasure the relationships and the support I share with the executive team and my colleagues. IIS provides the opportunity to see families grow, change for the better, and best of all, remain together safely."

In her new role, Karen will lead our Family Support Specialists, ensuring that every parent in the program receives the guidance and resources necessary for successful reunification with their children.

When asked about her promotion and the new Parenting+Plus Program, Karen said:

“Parenting+Plus is an exciting new chapter at BFT!  Using the evidence-based, Nurturing Families curriculum, we are helping families towards better outcomes through support, encouragement, relationship building and new parenting skills. Our first class launched in March 2025 with 9 engaged and motivated parents!”

Karen will be aided by the work of her team including our dedicated Family Support Specialists Angela "Angie" Cox and Doris Williams-Irby and with the support of Executive Director Kim Brown.

Angie Cox Doris Irby Kim Brown

Looking Ahead

We are excited about the impact BFT’s Parenting+Plus Program will have on families in our community. Under Karen’s leadership, this program will provide the support, encouragement, and practical skills that parents need to create safe and loving homes for their children.

Stay tuned! Our next blog post will highlight new leadership changes on our executive team and co-founders, including Liz Ervin as FCCM Director, Kim Brown as Executive Director and Randi Howard as Business Director.

Thank you for your continued support of BFT as we expand our programs to better serve children and families!

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