Steamboat Pilot & Today

First Impressions of Routt County hopes a new survey for area residents will help identify ways the county can be more family-friendly.

To coincide with April's Month of the Young Child, First Impressions is distributing the brief survey that asks residents how the community can better meet the needs of infants and toddlers, young children, teens and families.

"First Impressions wants to be in the loop of what's going on in this community," said Renee Donahue, early childhood manager for First Impressions, a nonprofit county agency that advocates for early childhood education and care. "We're a community board. We're looking out for the best interests of all the community."

Donahue said she and others involved in early childhood care and education hear the sporadic calls for a community recreation center and indoor play areas that children and families could use in the winter, but First Impressions would like to gather more input and ideas from a broad group of residents. It's important that all families have the opportunity to comment about what's needed for young families and children of all ages, Donahue said.

The survey asks respondents to comment on what they think is missing in the community for infants and toddlers, young children, teens and families; the age of the respondent's children; where in the county they live and where they get information about activities for families.

First Impressions will compile the data at the end of April and use it to help identify specific areas of need for local families and children.

In other Month of the Young Child news, First Impressions is sponsoring a Family Show at 6 p.m. Wednesday at South Routt Elementary School in Yampa. The event will feature refreshments and an appearance by the juggling and entertainment group We're Not Clowns.

A "Gender Matters" workshop is from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 25 at Centennial Hall in Steamboat Springs. A children's parade through downtown Steamboat is at 10 a.m. April 29; a North Routt Children's Celebration is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30, and a Hayden's Children's Day also is April 30.

The Month of the Young Child is recognized across the country as a way to celebrate young children and the professionals who work with them and to raise awareness for early childhood care and education issues. Local governments annually proclaim April the Month of the Young Child in Northwest Colorado.

For more information about Month of the Young Child or any of the events celebrating it, call 870-5270.

-- To reach Brent Boyer call 871-4234 or e-mail bboyer@steamboatpilot.com