Agency Collaboration Results in Family-Friendly Parent Education for Parents of Young Children

Problem:
Parents of young children have many questions and problems relating to their child's development and discipline issues on a daily basis.  Those who have grown up in homes without positive parent role models struggle even more with parenting issues.  Often they are not aware of the educational resources available to them.  And if they are, lack of time or money keeps them from attending parent education classes.  In addition, some parents won't attend if they fear being perceived or judged as a bad parent. 

Response:
ISU Extension worked with three agencies in Bremer, Butler and Grundy counties to provide family-friendly parent education classes: Cedar Valley Mental Health Center in Bremer County, Parents as Teachers in Butler County, and the Family Nest Program in Grundy County. Extension's Great Beginnings curriculum was the basis for the three series. The Family Life Field Specialist secured child abuse prevention dollars for the Bremer and Butler classes and Empowerment helped fund parent education through the Family Nest program in Grundy County. The money enabled the programs to offer a free family meal, child care, and attendance incentives to reduce the barriers that keep families from attending. CVMH counselors and Parents as Teachers program staff were trained to facilitate the programs. They and the Grundy Family Nest staff recruited participants, several of whom were clients in the agencies' programs. The FLFS facilitated the Family Nest programs.

Impact:
A total of twenty hours of parent education was provided in the three counties and a total unduplicated count of 30 parents attended most or all of the programs in the series in their county. In addition, 56 children were served (ate dinner with their family and attended age-appropriate activities during the parent education time).

75% or more of the families in the four-program series self-reported increasing their knowledge on four topics: 

• Ways to help my children learn (85% Bremer, 100% Butler);
• Positive ways to discipline my child (85% Bremer, 100% Butler);
• Communicating with my child (77% Bremer, 91% Butler);
• My child's stages of development (75% Bremer, 91% Butler). 

On a 1-5 scale, with 1 representing very little knowledge, 3 being some knowledge, and 5 being a lot of knowledge on this topic, self-reported scores increased from an average of 3.0 before the program to 4.6 after the program.  Over 90% of the participants reported their family's interactions had improved as a result of participating.

Participant comments included:

"I learned a lot. I will use the knowledge in the future."
"I really enjoyed learning things to be a better parent. My kids are the future-an extension of me and what I have taught them."
"It has helped me understand my child better and how I can turn negative behavior into positive behavior."
"Great. Learned a lot of helpful information especially about ways to discipline."

Contact:
Donna Andrusyk
Iowa State University Extension Family Life Field Specialist
720 7th Ave. SW
Tripoli, IA  50676
Phone (319) 882-4275; FAX  (319) 882-4292
Email andrusyk@iastate.edu

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