2016 South Carolina Children’s TrustHome Visiting Summit

Siserly Kelley, MS Parent Educator

Georgia Deal, MA Program Manager

Definition of Parent Group Meetings Why should the Parent Group Meeting

component play a role in home visitation The different types of Parent Group Meetings How to plan a Parent Group Meeting Challenges and Barriers to Parent Group

Meetings

2016 Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc ParentsTeachers.org

A meeting that consist of parents, children and the parent educators. They are designed to build social connection, encourage parent-child interaction and provide parents with different ideas to support child development.

Parent Group meetings are intended to be led by trained volunteers and offered in locations that will be accessible to the families we serve.

Build relationships between families Enhances Social Connections: Parents need

friends When home visits are combined with group

meetings families are surrounded with a support system that allows the child and parent to achieve their fullest potential.

Collaboration with Home visits balancing the learning experience

Allows parent to empower themselves

Supports the Home visit

Group meeting allows parents to come together to share their experiences.

Learn from and teach each other

Opportunity for open conversation about topics that interest and apply to the parents

Family Activity Community Event Ongoing Group Presentation

2016 Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc ParentsTeachers.org

Has activities which include both the parent and the child.

They promote parent child interaction and personal social skills for both the parent and the child.

Involves the community. Promotes social interaction, awareness of

programs, parent child interaction, etc. A larger parent group meeting. You go to the community event and have

your meeting there.

Occurs for an extended amount of time and addresses similar topics.

promotes social interaction among other adults with similar interest, parent-child interaction, and development skills depending on the covered topic.

A presenter is invited to speak on a certain topic.

Promotes social interaction, and parent knowledge.

How to designate Parent Educators What Type How to promote Activities Supplies Food Place Childcare

Suggested topics from parents Current trend Seasonal safety Child Development

Flyers Need to “BEE”

appealing to the eye

Simple

Specific: Date, Place, Time, and Topic

Include Incentives: Food, Door prizes, activities, etc.

mailed within 1-2 weeks of event.

Text

Sent individually

Use company cell phone

Time, place, topic

Remind 101

Collaborate with Topic Child proof Promote parent child interaction Age appropriate Use Curriculum for suggested activities.

Free Easily accessible Child proof Appropriate for group type Bathrooms

Arrive early for set up Communicate time allotted for presentation Provide with necessary materials (computer,

pen makers, poster paper, etc.) Contact before and after

Make a list and check it twice Child proof and age appropriate Food, activities Documentation Door Prizes

Donations Light meal Healthy Child proof and age appropriate

Weather have a plan B Attendance Participation Age diversity Location Schedule Transportation

As a group, plan a group meeting Include Group meeting Type, Place, Time,

and Topic Create a Flyer Choose a Speaker to Present

We believe that parenting is the world’s most important, challenging, and rewarding work. None of us are born knowing how to be good parents. We just do it and learn from each other.