Partnerships For Parenting is the result of many personal journeys I have been on thus far.
ABOUT ME:
First and foremost, I am just like you: the average citizen, a determined parent, a supportive friend, part of a family and a community professional. Today, my number one priority is the role of mom and it has taught me my most valuable and precious lessons.
Yet I feel there is always a desire to know more as the world changes and we encounter new milestones.
I feel privileged to have had many professional and educational experiences; which in many ways may have prepped me to some extent for parenthood. From an educational standpoint I have always had a subconscious desire to work alongside families and children. My educational focus has always been geared toward Early Education and Human Services. In addition I have acquired a certification for Youth and Adolescent Mental Health. In addition, for 10 years I worked in the early education field which required me take part in trainings about child rearing practices. All this I truly believe laid down the framework for how I function as a parent. More recently my husband and I embarked on a journey to be licensed by the State of Connecticut as an adoptive home. Again this meant placement in a training program where they also provide continuous support thru invitations for support groups and monthly workshops. I look at all of this that I have had the pleasure of partaking in and I am thinking that every family should have the same opportunities to gain knowledge, experience and develop a stronger support system. We need to promote what’s already in our community to utilize and not just to those where it may be deemed necessary but rather inclusive to all.
I am currently the "Speaker Coordinator" for the International Moms Club (www.momsclub.org) - Milford/West Haven Chapter. There I have meet a wonderful group of families and developed an extended support system. They have given me the opportunity to trial this program through one of their board positions and I personally thank them for that.
In the winter of 2011 I interviewed with The Milford Health Department to take part in the Parent Leadership Training Institute course being offered in or town (www.cga.ct.gov/coc/plti.htm). As part of the requirements, a participant needs to develop a community project and put it in motion. Perfect for me! I already had this stewing in my mind. The facilitators and the program curriculum helped me develop a better understanding of the community and how to be an active advocate for my passion. They reminded me that even the average person has a strong voice. It is with their support and guidance this project (Partnerships For Parenting) has started to become a reality.
Parents are extremely busy with many demands on them and therefore I don’t think they should have to invest a great deal of time in searching for local resources or guidance on their own; and honestly finding the right help is often harder than it sounds. This program has 3 main goals: 1.Gather the information and display it on a website where parents, teachers, grandparents ... can look up a topic and find professional resources willing to help them. 2. For Milford to extend their educational services and make them more inclusive to all. & 3. Offer monthly workshops which will not only help spread knowledge and create more productive parenting styles but also develop larger support systems and stronger communities.
Just this summer, I had the pleasure of meeting with (agency, website link..) who graciously opened their doors to support the implementation of Partnerships For Parenting. Though Milford already offers some similar services, this project is a way to enhance the accessibility of the resources and encourage higher participation from our communities. I look forward to working together.
As the PLTI course rounds completion and my project takes flight, I am eager to take the next steps forward. I hope at some point during this new venture I may cross paths with you as one can never have too many friends and resources.
First and foremost, I am just like you: the average citizen, a determined parent, a supportive friend, part of a family and a community professional. Today, my number one priority is the role of mom and it has taught me my most valuable and precious lessons.
Yet I feel there is always a desire to know more as the world changes and we encounter new milestones.
I feel privileged to have had many professional and educational experiences; which in many ways may have prepped me to some extent for parenthood. From an educational standpoint I have always had a subconscious desire to work alongside families and children. My educational focus has always been geared toward Early Education and Human Services. In addition I have acquired a certification for Youth and Adolescent Mental Health. In addition, for 10 years I worked in the early education field which required me take part in trainings about child rearing practices. All this I truly believe laid down the framework for how I function as a parent. More recently my husband and I embarked on a journey to be licensed by the State of Connecticut as an adoptive home. Again this meant placement in a training program where they also provide continuous support thru invitations for support groups and monthly workshops. I look at all of this that I have had the pleasure of partaking in and I am thinking that every family should have the same opportunities to gain knowledge, experience and develop a stronger support system. We need to promote what’s already in our community to utilize and not just to those where it may be deemed necessary but rather inclusive to all.
I am currently the "Speaker Coordinator" for the International Moms Club (www.momsclub.org) - Milford/West Haven Chapter. There I have meet a wonderful group of families and developed an extended support system. They have given me the opportunity to trial this program through one of their board positions and I personally thank them for that.
In the winter of 2011 I interviewed with The Milford Health Department to take part in the Parent Leadership Training Institute course being offered in or town (www.cga.ct.gov/coc/plti.htm). As part of the requirements, a participant needs to develop a community project and put it in motion. Perfect for me! I already had this stewing in my mind. The facilitators and the program curriculum helped me develop a better understanding of the community and how to be an active advocate for my passion. They reminded me that even the average person has a strong voice. It is with their support and guidance this project (Partnerships For Parenting) has started to become a reality.
Parents are extremely busy with many demands on them and therefore I don’t think they should have to invest a great deal of time in searching for local resources or guidance on their own; and honestly finding the right help is often harder than it sounds. This program has 3 main goals: 1.Gather the information and display it on a website where parents, teachers, grandparents ... can look up a topic and find professional resources willing to help them. 2. For Milford to extend their educational services and make them more inclusive to all. & 3. Offer monthly workshops which will not only help spread knowledge and create more productive parenting styles but also develop larger support systems and stronger communities.
Just this summer, I had the pleasure of meeting with (agency, website link..) who graciously opened their doors to support the implementation of Partnerships For Parenting. Though Milford already offers some similar services, this project is a way to enhance the accessibility of the resources and encourage higher participation from our communities. I look forward to working together.
As the PLTI course rounds completion and my project takes flight, I am eager to take the next steps forward. I hope at some point during this new venture I may cross paths with you as one can never have too many friends and resources.