New programs at HRDC look to help parents
Zach White
In July, the local District IV Human Resources Development Council’s Child Care Link program received a grant from the Montana Childrens’ Trust Fund to add new services focused on child abuse or neglect prevention.
These services are provided through the new Family Resource Center, headed by Coordinator Blair Doney.
“We are just trying to help out families in any way we can, ” Doney said.
One of the ways the center is trying to help is with the creation of a local chapter of an international parenting support organization, Parents Anonymous Inc.
The Parents Anonymous group holds meetings every Wednesday from 4 to 5:30 p. m., with child care provided. The group is supposed to offer a place where parents can trade stories and tips about their child-rearing experiences.
Doney said that people have not been showing up in the month since the program started. She said parents mistakenly may believe the program is there to tell them what to do.
“It’s not advice, ” Doney said. “It’s just parents coming together and offering what they do. ”
Another reason thought to interfere with attendance is a change in meeting time, made in an effort to make the meetings more convenient for parents of smaller children.
Doney and Vicki Wilkins, Child Care Link director, say they are open to moving it again, if that would be better for any parents.
Doney said that she and Jasi Swick, Head Start Home Base teacher who also attended the Parents Anonymous training, found out that this is the 14th attempt to start this program in Montana.
Despite past troubles, Wilkins believes the program can and should succeed.
“Any parent would benefit from having a support network, ” Wilkins said. “Once we get a few in, it will be easier to get more. ”
Parents Anonymous is just one of the things the new center is offering.
They are also offering two free parenting classes in the HRDC activity room.
The first is for parents of children 5 to 12 years old, from 6 to 9 p. m. on Nov. 8, 15 and 22.
The second is for professionals who deal with children or anyone interested in parenting, from 6:30-8:30 p. m. on Nov. 16.
Doney is planning a coat exchange, providing donated coats to parents and children who need them, and a mitten tree, doing the same thing with mittens.
The center also provides parenting literature in a couple of ways.
The Family Resource Center room in the HRDC building has a library of books and videos for parents and toys for kids.
They also distribute a “Your Babies Instruction Manual” booklet for new parents with Northern Montana Hospital.
More information about services is available from Doney at doneyb@hrdc4.org.
In July, the local District IV Human Resources Development Council’s Child Care Link program received a grant from the Montana Childrens’ Trust Fund to add new services focused on child abuse or neglect prevention.
These services are provided through the new Family Resource Center, headed by Coordinator Blair Doney.
“We are just trying to help out families in any way we can, ” Doney said.
One of the ways the center is trying to help is with the creation of a local chapter of an international parenting support organization, Parents Anonymous Inc.
The Parents Anonymous group holds meetings every Wednesday from 4 to 5:30 p. m., with child care provided. The group is supposed to offer a place where parents can trade stories and tips about their child-rearing experiences.
Doney said that people have not been showing up in the month since the program started. She said parents mistakenly may believe the program is there to tell them what to do.
“It’s not advice, ” Doney said. “It’s just parents coming together and offering what they do. ”
Another reason thought to interfere with attendance is a change in meeting time, made in an effort to make the meetings more convenient for parents of smaller children.
Doney and Vicki Wilkins, Child Care Link director, say they are open to moving it again, if that would be better for any parents.
Doney said that she and Jasi Swick, Head Start Home Base teacher who also attended the Parents Anonymous training, found out that this is the 14th attempt to start this program in Montana.
Despite past troubles, Wilkins believes the program can and should succeed.
“Any parent would benefit from having a support network, ” Wilkins said. “Once we get a few in, it will be easier to get more. ”
Parents Anonymous is just one of the things the new center is offering.
They are also offering two free parenting classes in the HRDC activity room.
The first is for parents of children 5 to 12 years old, from 6 to 9 p. m. on Nov. 8, 15 and 22.
The second is for professionals who deal with children or anyone interested in parenting, from 6:30-8:30 p. m. on Nov. 16.
Doney is planning a coat exchange, providing donated coats to parents and children who need them, and a mitten tree, doing the same thing with mittens.
The center also provides parenting literature in a couple of ways.
The Family Resource Center room in the HRDC building has a library of books and videos for parents and toys for kids.
They also distribute a “Your Babies Instruction Manual” booklet for new parents with Northern Montana Hospital.
More information about services is available from Doney at doneyb@hrdc4.org.
