Parent Education Workgroup

AGENDA – September 2, 2008

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope  Lansing, MI 48910 

I.      Introductions/Approval of August minutes

II.     Play and Learn Groups
a.      Selection of sites, frequency of groups
b.      Providers of services
c.       Timeline to begin groups

III.   Home Visitation Services
a.      Eligibility requirements, target population
b.      Providers of services
c.       Development of subgroup

The next Parent Education Work Group meeting will be on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 from 1:30-3:30 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (549 E. Mt. Hope) in Lansing.  Childcare will be available by reservation (Kathy 371-1347).

Parent Education Workgroup

Minutes – August 5, 2008

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope  Lansing, MI

Members Present:  Rachel Prosen, Child Abuse Prevention Services; Michelle Nicholson, Ingham Intermediate School District; MC Rothhorn, Great Start Collaborative-Parent Liaison/Business Liaison; Jennifer Lamphere, Cristo Rey; Debby Starnes, Ingham County Health Department- Public Health Nurse; Lisa Chambers, Ingham County Health Department- Jump Start; Keri Keck, Ingham County Health Department- Teen Parenting Network; Carolyn Stone, Lansing School District; Ken Sperber, Great Start Collaborative;  Yvonne Phillips, Great Start Collaborative- Faith Based Liaison; Lucy McClintic, CACS Headstart; and Jamie Yeomans, Great Start Collaborative- Parent Coalition. 

Introductions and Approval of 7/01/08 Minutes

The Parent Education Workgroup meeting was called to order at 1:40 pm. The meeting was chaired by Jamie.  Members introduced themselves and welcomed Carolyn Stone as a new participant.  The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as written.  

Workgroup Purpose

Workgroup members revised the previous “Mission Statement” to more accurately reflect our workgroup’s purpose.  After discussion, the Workgroup voted to approve the following new wording:       

The purpose of the Great Start Collaborative-Parent Education Workgroup is to develop a variety of education, support, and services that help strengthen the vital roles that all families play in their children’s development.  We meet parents where they are in life and in their children’s lives to build confident compassionate families and homes.

CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal Update

Home Visitation

Ken recommended developing a subgroup to address how home visits will occur.   At the September meeting, the workgroup will be discussing the need for a subgroup, what agencies will provide services, how referrals will be made, as well as define the target population for home visits. 

Play and Learn Groups

Members presented information on potential sites for “Play and Learn” groups: 

                        Hill Vocational Center                                 (Lisa, Keri)
                        Trinity                                                              (Jennifer, Yvonne)
                        Family Growth Center                                  (Rachel)
                        Edgewood Village                                        (MC)
                        Summerplace                                               (Michelle)
                        Maplewood Mission                                     (Michelle)
                        North Precinct                                                (Yvonne)
                        South Precinct                                                (Rachel)
                        Faith United Meth.                                         (Michelle)
                        N. Network Center                                         (Lisa)
A summary was provided of each site’s services delivered, space availability, day/time availability, and interest in our play and learn groups. 

Keri and Lisa also recommended providing “Play and Learn Groups” at the Willow Teen Plaza for waiting room clients.  They will continue to explore this potential site and report back at the September meeting.  

Next Meeting:  August 5, 2008

Jamie reminded the group that the next Parent Education Workgroup meeting will be on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 from 1:30-3:30 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (549 E. Mt. Hope) in Lansing.  Childcare will be available by reservation (Kathy 371- 1347).   

Meeting officially ended at 3:45 pm.

PARENT EDUCATION WORKGROUP

AGENDA – August 5, 2008 

Bethlehem Luther Church, 549 E Mt Hope, Lansing MI

I.                 Introductions/Approval of July minutes

II.                Mission Statement Update

III.              Play and Learn Groups

a.      Information from site visits

b.      Begin selection of sites

IV.              CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal Update

The next Parent Education Work Group meeting will be on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 from 1:30-3:30 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (549 E. Mt. Hope) in Lansing.  Childcare will be available by reservation (Kathy 371-1347). 

Parent Education Workgroup

Minutes – July 1, 2008

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope  Lansing, MI

Members Present:  Rachel Prosen, Child Abuse Prevention Services; Beany Tomber, WKAR; Michelle Nicholson, Ingham Intermediate School District; MC Rothhorn, Great Start Collaborative-Parent Liaison/Business Liaison; Jennifer Lamphere, Cristo Rey;  Debby Starnes, Ingham County Health Department- Public Health Nurse; Wendy Moncada, Great Parents Great Start; Lisa Chambers, Ingham County Health Department- Jump Start; Stephanie Peters, Ingham Intermediate School District- Early On; and Jamie Yeomans, Great Start Collaborative- Parent Coalition. 

Introductions and Approval of 6/03/08 Minutes

The Parent Education Workgroup meeting was called to order at 1:35 pm. The meeting was chaired by Jamie.  Members introduced themselves and new participants Wendy Moncada and Stephanie Peters were welcomed.  The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as written.   

CAUW/CRCF  Request for Proposal Update 

Workgroup members further discussed how the budget would be itemized (staff, travel, supplies, and materials) and agreed to add “training” to all three project component areas.  Workgroup members felt that it was important that all lead agencies be provided with initial training on how to lead the “Play and Learn” groups.  

Workgroup members reviewed the lead agencies listed and requested that several agencies be added (WKAR, Public Health Nursing, Office of Young Children, Teen Parenting Network, Child Abuse Prevention Services, Jump Start/MIOP, Immigrant and Refugee Resource Coalition, and Healthy Smiles).  A contact person for each lead agency was then identified. 

Upon the request of the Operations Committee, the Parent Education Workgroup agreed to adopt the unassigned RFP Project Component “Physical Health- Oral/Dental Health”.  Members agreed that its goals aligned well with our parent education agenda.  It was agreed that Brenda from Headstart would be the contact person.  It was also recommended that Lansing Community College be added as a lead agency. 

Play and Learn Groups

Members generated a list of potential sites for “Play and Learn” groups and then volunteered to visit one (or two) of these sites before the August 5^th meeting.  It was agreed that an on-site meeting was the preferred method to both educate the site regarding our workgroup goals, as well as to gather information about their services, space availability, and day/time availability.  The following is a list of potential “Play and Learn” sites and the workgroup member(s) who volunteered to initiate contact:

                        Hill Vocational Center                                (Lisa, Keri)
                        Trinity                                                        (Jennifer, Yvonne)
                        Family Growth Center                                (Rachel)
                        Edgewood Village                                      (Beany, MC)
                        Summerplace                                             (Michelle)
                        Maplewood Mission                                    (Beany, Michelle)
                        North Precinct                                             (Lisa)
                        South Precinct                                             (Rachel, Wendy)
                        Faith United Meth.                                       (Michelle)
                        WIC                                                             (Debby)
                        N. Neighborhood Ctr.                                   (Lisa)         

Mission Statement Update 

Due to lack of time, this agenda item was not discussed.  Please bring suggested changes to the next meeting.  The current Mission Statement reads as follows:

“Develop a variety of education, support, and services that help strengthen the vital roles that all families play in their children’s development.  Meeting parents where they are in life and in their children’s lives to build confident compassionate families and homes.”

Next Meeting:  August 5, 2008 

Jamie reminded the group that the next Parent Education Workgroup meeting will be on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 from 1:30-3:30 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (549 E. Mt. Hope) in Lansing.  Childcare will be available by reservation (Kathy 371- 1347).   

Meeting officially ended at 3:45 pm. 

Parent Education Workgroup

AGENDA – July 1, 2008

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope 

I.     Introductions/Approval of June minutes

II.    CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal Update

a.      Itemize budget
b.      Review indicators
c.       Lead agencies

III.    Discuss Assets and Gaps in parent education

a.      Capacity of current parent education services
b.      Review current gaps in services.

IV.    Play and Learn Groups

a.   Populations served
b.   Suggested sites

V.   Mission Statement update

Parent Education Workgroup

Minutes - June 3, 2008

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope  Lansing, MI

Members Present:  Yvonne Phillips, Great Start Collaborative-Faith Liaison; Rachel Prosen, Child Abuse Prevention Services; Beany Tomber, WKAR; Laurie Linscott, MSU Child Development Lab; Michelle Nicholson, Ingham Intermediate School District; MC Rothhorn, Great Start Collaborative-Parent Liaison/Business Liaison; Ken Sperber, Great Start Collaborative; Nichole Welz, Capital Area District Library; Jennifer Lamphere, Cristo Rey; Hannah Shaver, MSU Child Development Lab; Debby Starnes, Ingham County Health Department- Public Health Nurse; and Jamie Yeomans, Great Start Collaborative- Parent Coalition. 

Introductions and Approval of 5/06/08 Minutes

            The Parent Education Workgroup meeting was called to order at 1:35 pm. The meeting was chaired by Jamie.  Members introduced themselves and new participants Nichole Welz, Jennifer Lamphere, Hannah Shaver, and Debby Starnes were welcomed.
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved without correction.   

CAUW/CRCF Update

            Michelle reported that a conference call was scheduled with CAUW/CRCF representatives on 6-04-08.  Additional information will be available at our next meeting. 

RFP: Supporting Evidence-Based Home Visitation Programs to Prevent Child Maltreatment

            Michelle informed members about an opportunity to apply for a Federal Government Grant to work with children ages 2-5 and their families in their homes in an effort to reduce child maltreatment.  The application deadline is July 21, 2008.  The group was interested in pursuing this opportunity.  Further discussion will occur at the Birth to Five Collaborative meeting scheduled for 6-11-08.

 Review of Assets and Gaps in Parent Education

            Members reviewed the “community parenting” information available at the migreatparents.org website.  Each participant reviewed their agency’s services to verify that the information was up-to-date.  Michelle requested that members not present review their agency information as well.  Please contact Michelle or Ken if changes are needed.
            Members agreed that additional time is required to accurately assess the parent education services available, as well as determine if they are at capacity.  The group discussed the possibility that more effort may be needed to maximize the numbers of families utilizing the current parent education services, rather then creating new services.  

Play and Learn Groups

            Debby advocated for an increase in GPGS play groups due to their positive impact on families.  The group agreed that they were a valuable resource for families and chose to focus on providing additional Play and Learn Groups for the following high needs populations:  refugees, teen moms, homeless, and food bank recipients.
            Michelle recommended starting a Play and Learn Group at the Summerplace apartment complex due to the large number of refugees living in that area.  Yvonne presented information with the group regarding her visits to three area food banks.  Further discussion will occur to determine the feasibility of Play and Learn Groups at these sites.  Due to limited space, it was suggested that it may be more practical to insert information into the bags.  Jennifer shared Nutrition handouts and games available to distribute at food banks.  Other suggestions for possible Play and Learn Group sites were:  Haven House, Black and Child Family Institute, Faith United Methodist Church, and Trinity Lutheran Church.  

Mission Statement Update

            Due to lack of time, this agenda item was not discussed.  Please bring suggested changes to the next meeting.  The current Mission Statement reads as follows:
“Develop a variety of education, support, and services that help strengthen the vital roles that all families play in their children’s development.  Meeting parents where they are in life and in their children’s lives to build confident compassionate families and homes.” 

Next Meeting:  July 1, 2008

            Jamie reminded the group that the next Parent Education Workgroup meeting will be on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 from 1:30-3:30 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (549 E. Mt. Hope) in Lansing.  Childcare will be available by reservation (Kathy 371- 1347).   

Meeting officially ended at 3:20 pm.

Parent Education Workgroup

AGENDA – June 3, 2008

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope  Lansing, MI 48910

I.                   Introductions/Approval of May minutes

II.                CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal Update

III.             Discuss Assets and Gaps in parent education

             a.       List of current parent education resources, available at http://www.migreatparents.org/coparents.cfm?county=Ingham

             b.   Review current gaps in services.

IV.             Review  Goals

             a.  “Work with IRRC and the Lansing School District on methods to get information to non-English speaking families and have discussions about culturally sensitive parenting practices.”  (A#4)

              b.      “Expand the array of parent-child activities available in the community…joint programming at sites where families with young children are present…”  (B#2)

              c.       “Identify resources and programs targeted for at-risk groups such as non-English speakers, grandparents…” (C#1)

 
      V.       Mission Statement update

The next Parent Education Work Group meeting will be on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 from 1:30-3:30 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (549 E. Mt. Hope) in Lansing.  Childcare will be available by reservation (Kathy 371-1347).

Parent Education Workgroup

Minutes - May 6, 2008

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope  Lansing, MI

Members Present:  Yvonne Phillips, Great Start Collaborative-Faith Liaison; Lisa Chambers, Ingham County Health Dept/Jump Start; Rachel Prosen, Child Abuse Prevention Services; Barry Kaufman, CEI Community Mental Health; Lucy McClintic, CACS Head Start; Beany Tomber, WKAR; Laurie Linscott, MSU Child Development Lab; Michelle Nicholson, Ingham Intermediate School District; MC Rothhorn, Great Start Collaborative-Parent Liaison/Business Liaison; Ken Sperber, Great Start Collaborative; and Jamie Yeomans, Great Start Collaborative- Parent Coalition. 

Introductions

            The Parent Education Workgroup meeting was called to order at 1:35 pm. The meeting was co-chaired by Lucy and Jamie.  Members introduced themselves and new participants Yvonne Phillips, Rachel Prosen, Laurie Linscott, and MC Rothhorn were welcomed.

Approval of 4/14/08 Minutes

            The following corrections were made to the April minutes:

1.      Under Role of the Committee the words “Action Agenda” were 

      capitalized (paragraph #1) and immigration clinic was replaced with      

      immunization clinic (paragraph #2).

2.      Under Funding and Sustainability both the $19,000 CRCF/CAUW

     grant and $21,000 ECIC matching funds were deleted due to    

     inaccuracy.

            The minutes were approved with the above corrections.

CAUW/CRCF Update

            Michelle and Ken reported that the CAUW/CRCF representatives were pleased with the goals submitted by the Parent Education Workgroup.  They requested additional information regarding “expected outcomes”. 

            Beany proposed using an integrated parent education curriculum among all agencies involved with the workgroup.  She also suggested adding WKAR as a provider for trainings and materials.

            Lucy suggested using “Parents As Teachers” as the primary curriculum with supplements from other programs. 

            Michelle discussed the possibility of having two levels of providers for this program:  the “facilitators” of the parent/child activities, and the “experts” that would come to discuss specific issues such as smoking cessation. 

Mission Statement

            Group members discussed possible wording for a mission statement.  A final draft was not adopted, as members requested additional time.  The current draft reads as follows:
 

“Develop a variety of education, support, and services that help strengthen the vital roles that all families play in their children’s development.  Meeting parents where they are in life and in their children’s lives to build confident compassionate families and homes.”

Goals

            Group members selected the name “Great Start Parents As Teachers” as the name for all agencies to use when referring to the services provided by the parent education workgroup. 

            In an effort to address our goal of reaching non-English speaking families, it was agreed that agencies would make an attempt to include non-English materials at parent education activities.  The Immigrant and Refugee Center was discussed as a helpful resource in meeting this goal.  

            Yvonne will visit several Food Bank sites to assess how they function, accessibility of space for parent/child activities, and verify times open for food dispersal.  Additional sites were suggested for later evaluation, such as the Clothing Closet and local shelters. 

Assets and Gaps in parent Education

            Michelle reported that she attends the Family Matters Workgroup and suggested that they help assist with parent education with families with substance abuse issues.

            Due to time constraints, further discussion regarding assets and gaps will continue at the June meeting

Reminder:  Star Power Rally is May 21, 2008

            Register with the IISD Early Childhood Office (244-1267).  Hope to see you there!

Next Meeting:  June 3, 2008

            Jamie reminded the group that the next Parent Education Workgroup meeting will be on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 from 1:30-3:30 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (549 E. Mt. Hope) in Lansing.  Childcare will be available by reservation (Kathy 371- 1347).   

Meeting officially ended at 3:35 pm. 

Parent Education Work Group

Minutes April 14, 2008

Members Present:  Ken Sperber, Birth to Five; Nichole Welz, CADL; Lucy McClintic, CACS Head Start; Barry Kaufman, CEI Community Mental health; Michelle Nicholson, Great Start Collaborative;  Lisa Chambers, Ingham County Health Dept/JumpStart; Sharlina Pye Mack, Jamie Yeomans, Parent Representatives; Rachel Hedein, Public Health Nursing (for Tiffany Doolittle); Beany Tomber, WKAR.

Tomber welcomed everyone to the first meeting of this new work group.  All those present introduced themselves.  Those who have expressed interest but were not able to attend this first meeting are Shera Emmons and MC Rothhorn, parent representatives, Keri Keck, Teen Parent Network, and Marcia Rysztak, LCC.

It was suggested that an agenda item for future meetings should be assets and gaps in parent education.

Role of the Committee

Members began by looking at the Action Agenda for Birth to Five and the RFP from the Capital Region Community Foundation and the Capital Area United Way.  (CRCF/CAUW)  Under the Action Agenda, Ingham County Family Support and Parent Education Area, they selected item A#4 as one priority for this group. “Work with IRRC and the Lansing School District on methods to get information to non-English speaking families and have discussions about culturally sensitive parenting practices.”    They wanted to target Hispanic families and also look at what is going on now with existing resources that focus on this item.  They would do this by looking at the needs assessment that was done last year and by supporting existing resources.

All the items in B #1,2,3,4,5 “Expand the array of parent-child activities available in the community”  were considered priorities with the highest being #2  “…expanded and joint programming at sites where families with young children are present…” (examples: playgroups at a shelter outreach at food pantry sites, library playgroups with service agencies, etc.)  Various agencies are already doing this to some extent.  Other non-traditional locations to present parent education suggested were, in no particular order, Lansing Housing Commission sites, Community Network Centers,  Haven House, Food Movers, Food Bank, Stepping Stones, South Police Precinct, WIC offices, Work First, McDonalds’, domestic abuse shelters, health clinics, immunization clinics, laundromats.

C #1 was also identified as a priority area “Identify resources and programs targeted for at-risk groups such as non-English speakers, grandparents,…..”

The Parent Education Work Group will deal with the location, the process (how content is presented), and the content of these parent education presentations.  We need a name for this parent education initiative.

Structure, Curriculum, Materials, Content

The sites selected for parent education should be for both parent and child.  Suggested curriculums to be incorporated into the parent education presentations were Parents as Teachers, Ready To Learn, and Parenting Counts.   There should be an integrated curriculum with key messages for each developmental stage, 0-1, 1-3, 3-5.  A short piece on available resources should be available to give out at sessions with information appropriate to the particular group being targeted, i.e. alcohol/drugs, court ordered.  Public service announcements should be available to play in clinic settings.  There should be translations of materials in as many languages as possible to represent the cultural groups in the Lansing area.  There should be interactive learning opportunities and age appropriate activities along with an activity calendar in the materials at the sites..

Funding and Sustainability

We should look at a reimbursement fee for service to agencies doing training, to pay for materials and to promote best practices.

Barry Kaufman suggested that we select a high need group to begin where we can have a success fairly immediately.  A group that might be selected for a pilot was the Refugee Center at Jolly and Waverly which offers a number of agency programs already, i.e. Food Movers, GP Play Group.  We might look at a bi-weekly schedule connected to the needs of the families already using the site.

Regular meeting date, time and place

It was decided that the Parent Education Work Group would meet on the first Tuesday of the month, 1:30-3:30 at Mt. Hope Bethlehelm Lutheran Church.  Child care will be available by reservations with Kathy Kelly,CAPS.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Next Meeting May 6, 2008

Ingham GSC Parent Education

AGENDA Parent Education Meeting 4/14/08

Welcome and Introductions

Role of this Committee
            Relationship to Birth to Five Action Agenda
            Composition of Committee
            Organizing schedules, sites
            Curriculum
            Promotion
            Recruitment

Inventory of current programs – MIGreat Parent web site
            Who’s offering what?
            0-3
            3-5
       
Title I
            What are parent involvement criteria?
            What money is available?

Materials out there
            What materials are available from existing programs for us to use?
                        Birth to Five,  Born Learning,  Building Strong Families, Early On,  Head Start, Jump Start, KEEP,  Nurturing Fathers,
                        Parenting Counts,  Ready to Learn,  and Others

Capital Area United Way/Capital Region Community Foundation Proposal Process
                      (see RFP Summary)

Meeting Times/Locations

Ingham GSC Parent Education