photo by: Contributed

A play space at the Community Children’s Center Family Resource Center is seen in this photo from LMH Health.

Families in Douglas County have an opportunity to connect with trusted resources during the earliest stages of childhood when LMH Health and LiveWell Douglas County host Growing Together, a free community event designed to support families from pregnancy through age 5.

The event will take place Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at LMH Health, 330 Arkansas St.

“Events like this make a tremendous difference for families,” said Ginny Barnard, executive director of LiveWell Douglas County. “Connecting parents with resources early builds confidence and strengthens outcomes for children in our community.”

CREATED THROUGH COLLABORATION

Growing Together is an action item that came from the Douglas County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), a five-year plan created by Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health and community partners to improve the health and wellbeing of the community.

Barnard explained that one priority is improving birth outcomes. She said LiveWell and its community partners working in this area looked at past events hosted by LMH Health and the Children’s Community Center and combined them into a single, family-focused day.

“LMH held a Community Baby Shower prior to the COVID pandemic, and LiveWell’s community partners who work to improve birth outcomes felt this was something we needed to bring back,” she said. “It made sense to combine it with the Early Childhood Resource Fair that Community Children’s Center held in their previous space at Kennedy [Elementary School]. Growing Together is the result.”

WHAT YOU’LL FIND AT GROWING TOGETHER

Anyone caring for young children is welcome – from expectant parents, families with infants and preschoolers, grandparents and early childhood caregivers. Growing Together brings together experts, education, and hands-on resources including topics such as safe sleep, breastfeeding support, mental health resources, tobacco cessation, car seat safety and home safety.

Community organizations — including Community Children’s Center, Early Childhood Collective of Douglas County, Parents as Teachers and SafeKids Douglas County — will join clinicians from LMH Health and local healthcare providers to share information and answer questions.

Families planning for the arrival of a little one can also tour the LMH Health Family Birthing Center.

“Parents have more options than ever before, and Growing Together is a great way to see what LMH has to offer,” said Allison Koonce, community outreach and engagement supervisor at LMH Health.

You can also explore resources beyond the newborn stage, including a visit to the new location for Community Children’s Center at 346 Maine St. Early Intervention and Inclusion Specialist Erin Lawrence encourages participants to stop in and learn more about the facility.

“The Family Resource Center is a beautiful, accessible and welcoming indoor play space for families to explore and for kids to move about,” she said. “We have a range of free play materials – from bridges and stepping stones to a soft area for babies and toddlers, and many of the things you’d find in an early childhood space. It’s a nice entry point to get to know the Community Children’s Center.”

Lawrence also helps provide a connection between families and resources, even to those not offered by the Community Children’s Center.

“Services for babies and young children can be hard to navigate,” she explained. “Our goal is to help connect families with trusted agencies and organizations to provide individualized support within our early care and education system.”

WHY ATTEND GROWING TOGETHER?

Lawrence said you’ll benefit from the face-to-face interactions with the agencies and clinicians you engage with during the event.

“There could be a little nugget of early childhood knowledge or a new resource that you’ll collect at the event, and it sometimes takes a lot of those nuggets to build a solid path,” she said.

If you’re in a role helping to care for young children, Barnard hopes you’ll attend Growing Together.

“Whether you’re expecting your first baby, a grandchild, or you’re helping provide care through those pre-K years, Growing Together is for you,” Barnard said. “It’s a great way to get educated about how to provide a safe environment for our babies and kids, and to make connections with great resources.”

Autumn Bishop is the marketing manager and content strategist at LMH Health, a sponsor of the Lawrence Journal-World health section.

GROWING TOGETHER AT A GLANCE

What: Growing Together – a free, family-friendly event open to the public.

When: Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at LMH Health, 330 Arkansas St.

Featuring: LMH Health clinicians, local healthcare providers and community organizations; Family Birthing Center tours; Community Children’s Center open house (346 Maine St.)

Perks: Complimentary refreshments, including snacks, fruit and beverages. Register for free door prizes, including baby care essentials, child safety tools, early literacy materials and small business gift cards donated by community partners.

RSVP: Families are encouraged to register at https://bit.ly/growing-together-dgco.