Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.
Strengthening Families Initiative, Parenting Education
Plan Goals
Strengthen New Mexicos families by providing evidence-based parenting education to increase parent-child connectedness, positive discipline practices, and healthy family functioning. (Joint plan with Esther Devall, Lisa Shields & Charolette Collins)
Impact Reports
Valencia County Cooperative Extension service in cooperation with the New Mexico Womens Recovery Academy continues to provide parenting education classes to the women who are in phase two or three of their drug and alcohol treatment. This was the first year that the Valencia County Home-Economist has worked with the recovery academy here in Valencia County. The agent conducted four eight- week courses. Forty-eight women graduated from the program in 2006-2007. This is a particularly productive group to work with. The women have been living together approximately two to three months prior to the start of the parenting group. Each group is able to begin the course without the stress or the feeling of being uncomfortable in the group. For most groups it is about the third session that the parents really start to open up and share thoughts and feelings in regards to parenting.
Parents are being taught parenting skills that can be used during the visits with their children or in the long run when they return home. Some of the women have the opportunity to have their children onsite. These parents not only are being taught the skills but they are also given the opportunity to apply what they have learned in a safe and comfortable environment.
When asked on the post evaluation to describe one way you could take what you learned here in class and use it at home, one parent responded with, Ive learned the importance of being a positive role model. Parents learn very quickly that when it comes to morals, values and rules, parents are the number one influences on their childrens behaviors. Being a positive role model should be the number one priority. This includes being a positive role model in regards to stress management, self-worth, and by making day-to-day choices.
Parents are being taught parenting skills that can be used during the visits with their children or in the long run when they return home. Some of the women have the opportunity to have their children onsite. These parents not only are being taught the skills but they are also given the opportunity to apply what they have learned in a safe and comfortable environment.
When asked on the post evaluation to describe one way you could take what you learned here in class and use it at home, one parent responded with, Ive learned the importance of being a positive role model. Parents learn very quickly that when it comes to morals, values and rules, parents are the number one influences on their childrens behaviors. Being a positive role model should be the number one priority. This includes being a positive role model in regards to stress management, self-worth, and by making day-to-day choices.
Valencia County Cooperative Extension service in cooperation with CASAs A Safe Place continues to provide parenting education classes which are open to the public in Valencia County. This was the third year that the Valencia County Home-Economist worked with CASA on this parenting education project. Each class was announced in the local news paper and at the local Children Youth and Families Department. Over seventy-five percent of the clients attending the class at CASA have been advised to attend by a case worker or have been court ordered to attend the eight week course. Approximately five eight-week courses are held each year. In 2006-2007 nine fathers and thirty-three mothers graduated from the CASA parenting program.
The eight week course covers stress management, building self-worth, praise, understanding and communicating feelings, keeping children drug and alcohol free, alternatives to spanking, family morals, values, and rules, and the class ends with building personal power. Parents graduate from the program with a better understanding of child development, age appropriate expectations, and the ability to provide proper communication and nurturing skills.
The eight week course covers stress management, building self-worth, praise, understanding and communicating feelings, keeping children drug and alcohol free, alternatives to spanking, family morals, values, and rules, and the class ends with building personal power. Parents graduate from the program with a better understanding of child development, age appropriate expectations, and the ability to provide proper communication and nurturing skills.
The agent offered parenting education through a one-time program or a program series, depending on the needs of the clientele. Collaborative relationships were established between CES and the Doņa Ana County Health & Human Services Division, Las Cruces Public Schools, Hatch Valley Public Schools, Gadsden Public Schools and Community Action Agency and Families and Youth, Inc. During the 2006-2007 program year, 11 Parenting programs were offered in Doņa County. These programs were offered in Mesquite, Anthony, Las Cruces and Organ. The majority of these programs were offered in Spanish.
Evaluations from participants in these parenting programs showed that more than 80% of parents wanted to change their own parenting behavior in one or more of the following areas: increasing communication with their children, fostering their childrens self-esteem, having more empathy for and patience with their children and setting family rules.
Evaluations from participants in these parenting programs showed that more than 80% of parents wanted to change their own parenting behavior in one or more of the following areas: increasing communication with their children, fostering their childrens self-esteem, having more empathy for and patience with their children and setting family rules.
The agent offered parenting education through a one-time program or a program series, depending on the needs of the clientele. Collaborative relationships were established between CES and the Doņa Ana County Health & Human Services Division, Las Cruces Public Schools, Hatch Valley Public Schools, Gadsden Public Schools and Community Action Agency and Families and Youth, Inc. During the 2006-2007 program year, 11 Parenting programs were offered in Doņa County. These programs were offered in Mesquite, Anthony, Las Cruces and Organ. The majority of these programs were offered in Spanish.
Evaluations from participants in these parenting programs showed that more than 80% of parents wanted to change their own parenting behavior in one or more of the following areas: increasing communication with their children, fostering their childrens self-esteem, having more empathy for and patience with their children and setting family rules.
Evaluations from participants in these parenting programs showed that more than 80% of parents wanted to change their own parenting behavior in one or more of the following areas: increasing communication with their children, fostering their childrens self-esteem, having more empathy for and patience with their children and setting family rules.
Karim Martinez has signed on to support Strengthening Families Initiative, Parenting Education within Doņa Ana County.