Extension Communications Extension 4-H Youth Building Ames, Iowa 50011-3630 (515) 294-9915

4/19/04
Contacts:
Kimberly Greder, Human Development and Family Studies, (515) 294-5906, kgreder@iastate.edu
Catherine Hunt, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-1039, cathi@iastate.edu

Extension Parenting Education Program now Offered Online

AMES, Iowa - Parenting educators now have three options to gain parenting education skills through Iowa State University Extension's Partnering with Parents Outreach Academy.

The 10-day face-to-face program will be offered again in September. An online option will be offered starting in June 2004. In addition, a 2-day workshop consisting of two key topics from the full program will be offered July 28-29, 2004.

The face-to-face program consists of 11 modules covering topics ranging from cultural parenting issues, child and parent development, nutrition and physical activities, financial stability and family well-being, and how to measure program outcomes.

Students who register for the new online version will study the same material as the face-to-face version. However, through the convenience of the Internet, students will participate through interactive activities such as chat rooms, small group assignments, video streaming, discussion boards, e-journals and readings.
The class is designed for people who work or volunteer with parents through home visitation and mentoring programs, Early ACCESS, Head Start, counseling, family resource centers, churches, hospitals, schools and public and private nonprofit agencies.

Kimberly Greder, assistant professor of human development and family studies at Iowa State University and family life extension state specialist, said the online format of the course is a good fit for educators who are not able to take time out of their busy schedules to attend the face-to-face program.

Greder said Partnering with Parents is being recognized as a leading training program for parenting educators. "Partnering with Parents has promoted the growth and development of parenting education as a profession in Iowa and has strengthened practitioners' abilities to critically think about the field and their roles as educators," she said.

Depending on the program selected, participants have the opportunity to earn 1-3 undergraduate or graduate ISU college credits, certification, ISU Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or AAFCS Professional Development Units (PDUs).

More information and registration details are available at http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/pwp04/home.html or by contacting Kimberly Greder at (515) 294-5906 or kgreder@iastate.edu.

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