March 7, 2014
We’re currently in the middle of our spring ABCs of Parenting Class (in English), with 22 parents and their children joining us for a special 8-week series designed to change the way they nurture and raise their kids. What better moment than this to share recent thoughts from our current Parent Education Manager, Andres Marquez-Lara, who acknowledges how well-known the classes are, but asks us to consider how ongoing support groups also play a critical role in SCAN’s impact on families moving forward:
SCAN’s Parent Education Program weaves together a series of programs that support parents and their children in fostering positive relationships with each other. The Parent Support Groups (PSGs) are a very important part of our Parent Education Program.
At times, they have been overshadowed by the various structured, time-limited engagements that we provide like ABCs of Parenting and Reunification. Yet, most, if not all of the participants, tell us that they wish our classes lasted longer. The parents yearn to have an ongoing environment to continue learning skills that support their positive parenting performances, as well as finding support in each other’s stories of joy and struggle.
This on-going support is what the PSGs are all about.
Parenting, like human development, is an on-going process that requires on-going support. We envision that when participants complete our time-limited programs they can transition seamlessly into a welcoming PSG that will help them continue in their development as parents and children. Thus, in 2014 and beyond we want to rediscover the value of our PSGs, and use them as the organizing principle for the structure of the Parent Education Program. Perhaps you’d like to volunteer with one of our groups?
Let me know!
– Andres Marquez-Lara, Parent Education Manager
[email protected]
p.s. On a related note, SCAN is currently searching for a NEW full-time Parent Education Manager! Read the full job description here.