COVINGTON – With blue skies overhead and a playground buzzing nearby, St. Tammany Health System leaders and local dignitaries gathered Tuesday morning (April 7) to cut the ribbon on the STHS Parenting Center’s new forever home on Koop Drive.
The 3,000-square-foot facility – the fourth home for the Parenting Center since its 1987 founding – sits adjacent to both the Kids Konnection playground and the Tammany Trace recreation trail, offering a central, convenient hub for families across St. Tammany Parish.
“The new space is open, welcoming and designed with families in mind, making it easier than ever to learn and grow together,” St. Tammany Health System President and CEO Joan Coffman said. “This is a welcoming facility that will last for generations.”
She added: “This space offers opportunities for play, exploration and learning in a healthy environment. We look forward to many years in this space and many years of collaboration with our community partners – St. Tammany Parish government and the Tammany Trace Foundation – as we work together to bring our services to our youngest citizens and connect our families.”
The new Parenting Center, which occupies the parish’s former Kids Town building, features dedicated classroom space, a separate crafting area, indoor play areas and a fenced outdoor play yard with an array of toys and equipment.
“This center reflects our belief that when parents are supported and informed, children thrive – and when children thrive, communities grow stronger,” STHS Chief Operating Officer Jack Khashou said.
Since 1987, the Parenting Center has provided local parents and children with the tools they need to grow together through programs ranging from parenting and babysitting classes to playdates and social events. As with many of St. Tammany Health System’s family-focused facilities, the center is recognized as a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, underscoring the health system’s commitment to inclusive, accessible programming.
It is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. Learn more at StTammany.health/ParentingCenter, and scroll down for more photos from Tuesday's event.
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About St. Tammany Health System
The heartbeat of its community, St. Tammany Health System cares for patients and families with excellence, compassion and teamwork. It is nationally recognized for quality, safety and service excellence by CareChex, Leapfrog, Healthgrades, Hospital Compare, Women’s Choice and US News & World Report. The health system is home to 281-bed St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District No. 1, three diagnostic centers and 12 medical clinics throughout western St. Tammany Parish. Self-supporting, not-for-profit STHS is AA- rated by Fitch and receives no tax funding. More at StTammany.health.
About the Parenting Center
Since 1987, the Parenting Center at St. Tammany Health System has been providing local parents and children the tools they need to grow together as a family. Through an array of programs – from parenting and babysitting classes to playdates and a variety of socialization events – the Parenting Center is dedicated to promoting confidence and competence in parents, encouraging optimal development for their children, and enhancing the well-being of local families as a whole. Learn more at StTammany.health/ParentingCenter.