1. Parent University Program Britney Pitts, LCSW, Program Coordinator Giselle Joseph, Parent Coordinator Maryland Family Engagement Summit July 26, 2018

2. We Will Discuss…
Program
Community
Parent Leadership

3. Parent University Programs

4. Parent University Goals
To increase developmental knowledge of caregivers with children birth to three years old
To decrease the risk of child abuse and neglect through parent education
To increase responsive parenting behaviors
To increase support network through socializing opportunities with other community members
To empower participants to become parent mentors and group leaders

5. Program components Parents/caregivers of children birth- three
Parent/child play interaction
Circle time
Dialogic reading
Child centered play
Didactic parent education

6. Parent child interaction
Daily schedule
Arrival
Breakfast
Introductions
Circle time
Singing
Reading
Play
Transition time
Parent group
Goodbye!
Community Based
Birth to three
Parent education
Parent child interaction

7. Breakfast Served family style Age appropriate food
Parent/child interaction is encouraged and supported by staff
Parent education on nutrition is offered through conversation with staff

8. Circle time
Age appropriate songs with parents encouraged to sing to their child with bright affect and eye contact.
Dialogic reading is encouraged with parents allowing child to explore the book without direction. Parent narrates as child explores.

9. Parent/Child Interaction
Goal: To establish healthy and productive learning environment
Parent utilizes various skills to re-engage child
Parent teaches child a new skill with modeling and positive reinforcement
Parent is responsive to child’s cues
Child sends clear engagement and disengagement cues to parent
Goal: To increase attuned parenting
Child led play
Parent narrates child’s play without judgment or direction

10. Parent/Child Interaction Topics
Follow the child’s lead
Enjoy the play
Describe what you see

11. Parent Group Topics Attachment Development Asthma Lead Home safety
Teaching your child
Safe sleep
Nutrition
B’more for Healthy Babies
Circle of Security Parenting (COS-P)
Caregivers Helping Advance Toddler Talk (CHATT)

12. Building Community
Each component of Parent University is intentional! See if you can think of some of strategies that may be used to engage/build community during: Planning Recruitment Breakfast Circle Group

13. Planning
Where is the program? When is the program? Who is at the program? Who is running the program?

14. Recruitment
Outreach! Schools Flyers Canvassing Partners Use the community to reach the community!

15. 12 Parents 16 Children 7 Staff How many tables would you use?
Breakfast
12 Parents 16 Children 7 Staff How many tables would you use?

16. Parent Lead Extra Hands “Group” Play Teamwork Comfort/Silliness
Circle
Parent Lead Extra Hands “Group” Play Teamwork Comfort/Silliness

17. Group Comfort Shared Resources Shared Experiences
Encouragement/Support
(Leaving Children in Childcare)

18. Graduation

19. Parent University I has run for 10 cohorts.
Community Feedback
Parent University I has run for 10 cohorts.
We’ve gotten feedback from our parents and parent mentors regarding the following areas….

20. Community Feedback

21. Parent Leadership
-A parent arrived in the program upset with someone outside of the program. The woman began to argue with that person via phone during the program.
-A parent received traumatic news during the breakfast portion of the program and broke down in tears.

22. Parent Leadership
“In both of these examples the parents who intervened were well known and respected in the community. They also showed great leadership skills. The leadership skills that were noted included active participation during the parent group, helping to problem solve when there were challenges that others were facing, and the ability to welcome new, or shy parents, into the group.  The examples described above, as well as general observations in routine interactions, suggested that the use of peer leaders might be a benefit to the PUP…. Each iteration has encouraged the growth and leadership of community members as leaders of the PUP.”

23. -Recruits families from the community to participate in the program.
Role of a Parent Mentor
-Recruits families from the community to participate in the program.
-Works with families to bring about constructive change through support and guidance.
-Assists families and children while transitioning throughout the program.
-Supervises child care during the Parent Group portion of the program.
Role of a Parent Coordinator*
-Creates a welcoming environment for parents.
-Explains “house rules.”
-Manages transitions.
-Increases parent involvement.
-Improves communication and makes recommendations.
*The Social Work facilitator was responsible for recruitment, facilitating routine, addressing challenging behavior of participants, and helping with resource linkages…The role of program facilitator changed from a social worker to a peer during cohort 4. The social worker who typically facilitated the program then became a support for the peer program facilitator who was a graduate of the PUP.

24. What building skills do you require to be a parent mentor?
Passion
Parent involvement
Communication
Ability to be supportive of children and families.

25. Parent University Team
Dr. Kyla Liggett-Creel, Program Developer Linda Kees, Parent Program Facilitator Giselle Joseph, Parent Program Facilitator Linda Callahan, Program Facilitator Britney Pitts, Program Facilitator Additional staff members include: The Judy Center, B’more for Healthy Babies, parent mentors, community members, and University of Maryland interns!