By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor for Hire
Tonya Smith, program coordinator with Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc. (F-V-W), and Jean Bell, parenting education coordinator with the Cooperative Extension Center, were recently on air to discuss parenting education opportunities in Vance County.
April’s designation as National Child Abuse Prevention Month makes this a great time to spread the word on educational opportunities for parents.
“Sometimes parenting is a hard job,” said Bell. “Our services help to teach parents to discipline their children in nonviolent ways.”
The Vance County Cooperative Extension Center, located at 305 Young Street in Henderson, currently offers two parenting programs – the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program and the Incredible Years series.
According to Bell, the Triple P program teaches parents effective, nonviolent ways to help their child learn appropriate behavior.
“Kids are going to follow what they see,” Bell said. “If a child grows up in a house with a lot of violence, they are more likely to try to solve problems with violence.”
The Incredible Years, a 15-week series, focuses on parenting issues such as why it’s important to play with children, why and how to praise your children, appropriate rewards, healthy eating tips, timeout and much more.
The Cooperative Extension Center also publishes a monthly newsletter titled Growing Together. This newsletter is geared towards parents with preschool-age children, but according to Bell, is useful for any parent with young children.
“With these programs, we are trying to make sure that parents have the tools that they need to help kids grow up to be happy and productive adults,” Bell said.
F-V-W offers Circle of Parents, a support group for local parents, every Monday night at 5:30 p.m. at 180 South Beckford Drive in Henderson.
This 40-week program is offered free of charge. Free childcare during the meeting, free dinner, fun activities for the children and field trips are also offered.
Meetings typically last two hours and participating adults hear from speakers on various topics relating to parenting, ask questions and discuss their thoughts and concerns.
According to Smith, all participants who attend at least three meetings receive a $25 gas gift card.
The Circle of Parents support group often relies on word-of-mouth to attract interested participants, but they also distribute flyers and receive referrals from community agencies.
“It is a great support group; just one big family,” said Smith.
For additional information on these programs, please contact Tonya Smith at F-V-W by phone at (252) 492-8810 or by email at tonyasmith@fvwopp.com. Jean Bell with Cooperative Extension may be reached by calling (252) 438-8188.