Center for Schools and Communities • 275 Grandview Avenue, Suite 200 • Camp Hill, PA 17011 • (717) 763-1661 February 2016 News Brief News Brief Family Support T he Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) defines the protective factor “Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development” as an understanding of the unique aspects of child development and the ability to implement developmentally and contextually appropriate parenting practices. These abilities are influenced by how a parent was raised, their beliefs, values and culturally relevant expectations of child development. When working with families, it is important that family service providers understand the parents’ abilities and factors that influence them. Being aware of another’s cultural influences is called cultural competency. When you have this competency you can deliver information in a way that is relevant to and mindful of the families’ culture. Along with being cognizant of others’ cultural context it is equally imperative to be reflective of your own understanding of intercultural differences and any barriers that may Culture and Strengthening Families- Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development exist to working with these differences. “Knowing that one’s own perspective is necessarily limited makes it much easier to be reflective and proactive in relation to one’s prejudices and assumptions that may otherwise affect interactions with members of a different culture.” (Unite for Insight, 2013, §4) Being open to reflection can positively impact your relationships with families which will allow you to deliver services in a way that could lead to desirable outcomes. CSSP asserts that the five Strengthening Families protective factors are universal – they apply to all families – yet may be understood and manifested in culturally specific ways. When you are able to use a multicultural lens to communicate the protective factors, it increases the chances of assuring the well-being of all families. Information above is based on research collated by CSSP. More information about Foundational Ideas of the Strengthening Family Approach
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Center for Schools and Communities • 275 Grandview Avenue, Suite 200 • Camp Hill, PA 17011 • (717) 763-1661
February 2016
News Brief News BriefFamily Support
The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) defines the protective factor “Knowledge
of Parenting and Child Development” as an understanding of the unique aspects of child development and the ability to implement developmentally and contextually appropriate parenting practices.
These abilities are influenced by how a parent was raised, their beliefs, values and culturally relevant expectations of child development. When working with families, it is important that family service providers understand the parents’ abilities and factors that influence them. Being aware of another’s cultural influences is called cultural competency. When you have this competency you can deliver information in a way that is relevant to and mindful of the families’ culture.
Along with being cognizant of others’ cultural context it is equally imperative to be reflective of your own understanding of intercultural differences and any barriers that may
Culture and Strengthening Families- Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
exist to working with these differences. “Knowing that one’s own perspective is necessarily limited makes it much easier to be reflective and proactive in relation to one’s prejudices and assumptions that may otherwise affect interactions with members of a different culture.” (Unite for Insight, 2013, §4) Being open to reflection can positively impact your relationships with families which will allow you to deliver services in a way that could lead to desirable outcomes.
CSSP asserts that the five Strengthening Families protective factors are universal – they apply to all families – yet may be understood and manifested in culturally specific ways. When you are able to use a multicultural lens to communicate the protective factors, it increases the chances of assuring the well-being of all families.
Information above is based on research collated by CSSP.
More information about Foundational Ideas of the Strengthening Family Approach
PAT has made many changes over the past three years. To ensure PAT supervisors have the
most up-to-date materials, go to the PAT Portal, click on My Tools, Affiliate Administrator, Quality, Supervisor’s Handbook.
The Supervisor’s Handbook is an online resource that has model replication, quality and fidelity resources. Items below are currently available:
Quarterly Program Reports Due in FebruaryPlease remember that
quarterly program reports are due the last working day of February for the 1st quarter of the grant year (November 1 – January 31). Here are some helpful tips as you complete reports:• In the data table, add only new
families, parents and children each month. Keep a running total at the bottom.
• Only families, parents and children served by the evidence-based program listed in your work statement should be included in the chart. However, if other people are served like extended family members or other children, feel free to discuss this in the Significant Activities section.
Resources to Guide Parents as Teachers Model Replication• Logic Model• Essential Requirements Summary• Quality Standards• Quality Assurance Guidelines
Tools for Ongoing Monitoring of Fidelity and Quality• Quality Assurance Blueprint• Personal Visit Observation Tool• Personal Visit Snapshot
• Do not forget to discuss how your significant activities align with the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework.
• When completing the outcomes section, be sure to discuss results from evaluations, feedback from parents, and trends regarding progress that staff members are seeing among the families they serve. This section may include both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Include flyers, pictures, news articles and other items as attachments to your quarterly report.
Visit the Supervisor’s Handbook page for a description of each item.
Grantee Annual MeetingThe Children’s Trust Fund annual meeting will be held on March 29, 2016. Grantees should send at least two representatives to this valuable professional development opportunity. The theme of the keynote address will be the broad impact of the Strengthening Families Protective Factors in child welfare practice and the importance of building synergistic relationships with local child welfare agencies. Workshops on various family support themes and opportunities for networking will also be provided.
Family Support at the Center for Schools and Communities provides training and technical assistance to Parents as Teachers providers, Children’s Trust Funds grantees and the Strengthening Families Leadership Team.Partnerships Project Manager Karen Shanoski
(717) 763-1661 x139 [email protected] Support Specialist Wenda Deardorff
Childhood obesity rates are at an all-time high. Today, nearly one in three kids and teens in the United States are obese or overweight and inactive children are likely to become inactive adults. We know that physical activity produces overall physical, psychological and social benefits. Although obesity is not considered an unintentional injury, it can lead to unintentional health conditions.
Healthy steps start at home. You can help your child develop healthy habits early in life that will bring lifelong benefits. As a parent, you can encourage your kids to evaluate their food choice and physical activity habits. Below are some tips and guidelines to get you started:• Be a good role model – you do
not have to be perfect all the time, but if kids see you trying to eat right and getting physically active, they will take notice of your efforts. You will send a message that good health is important to your family.
• Keep things positive – kids do not like to hear what they cannot do, tell them what they can do instead. Keep it fun and positive. Everyone likes to be praised for a job well done. Celebrate successes and help children and teens develop a good self-image.
• Get the whole family moving – plan times for everyone to get moving together. Take walks, ride bikes, go swimming, garden or just play hide-and-seek outside. Everyone will benefit from the exercise and the time together.
• Be realistic – a key element is to set realistic goals and limits to adopting any new behavior. Small steps and gradual changes can make a big difference in your health over time, so start small and build up.
• Limit TV, video game and computer time – these habits lead to a sedentary lifestyle and excessive snacking, which
increase risks for obesity and cardiovascular disease. Limit screen time to two hours per day.
• Encourage physical activities – every child is unique. Let your child experiment with different activities until they find something they really love doing. They will stick with it longer if they love it.
• Pick truly rewarding rewards – do not reward children with television, video games, candy or snacks for a job well done. Find other ways to celebrate good behavior.
• Make dinnertime a family time – when everyone sits down together to eat, there is less chance of children eating the wrong foods or snacking too much. Get your kids involved in cooking and planning meals. Everyone develops good eating habits together and the quality time with the family will be an added bonus.
• Make a game of reading food labels – the whole family will learn what is good for their health and be more conscious of what they eat. It is a habit that helps change behavior for a lifetime.
• Stay involved – be an advocate for healthier children. Insist on good food choices at school. Make sure your children’s healthcare providers are monitoring cardiovascular indicators like BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol. Contact public officials on matters of the heart.
Parents as TeachersPAT Foundational and Model Implementation For new parent educators of affiliate programsMarch 14-18 Camp Hill, Pa.May 2-6 Homestead, Pa.June 27 – July 1 Camp Hill, Pa.
PAT FoundationalFor new approved users March 14-16 Camp Hill, Pa.May 2-4 Homestead, Pa.June 27-29 Camp Hill, Pa.
PAT Model ImplementationFor new supervisorsMarch 17-18 Camp Hill, Pa.May 5-6 Homestead, Pa.June 30 – July 1 Camp Hill, Pa.
PA Foundational II: 3 Years to KindergartenApril 4-5 Camp Hill, Pa.June 6-7 Homestead, Pa.
Family Support Family Support WebinarsFirst Wednesday of the month 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM March 23 Effects of Poverty on ParentingApril 13 Brain Development in Children
Raising a Thinking ChildFebruary 22-23 Harrisburg, Pa.
Partnering with Teen ParentsMarch 21-22 Morton, Pa.
Life Skills Progression TrainingApril 13 Camp Hill, Pa.May 17 Tunkhannock, Pa.
Parents as Teachers Regional MeetingsMay 11 Danville, Pa.May 12 Lancaster, Pa.May 24 Grove City, Pa.May 25 Altoona, Pa.
