Author: Nicole Gwishiri
Planning Unit: Bath County CES
Major Program: Keys to Great Parenting
Plan of Work: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Nurturing Families is one of the seven initiatives of Family and Consumer Sciences Extension in Kentucky. Parenting education is an active component of this initiative. In April of 2016, an estimated 13 percent of children in Kentucky have an incarcerated parent, nearly double the national average of seven percent, according to a survey conducted by Kentucky Youth Advocates. Another study was done that same year states that almost 20 of every 1000 children in the state were abused, according to the "Child Maltreatment 2016" report released by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Children's Bureau. The Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Bath County partnered with the Bath County Schools, Bath County Memorial Library, and Bath County Adult Education Center for the past year to deliver programming focused on Parenting. Keys to Great Parenting, along with Pastime Playdates, was offered three times a month with an average of 10 families per session attending. These families were from diverse backgrounds, many grandparents, others parents who did not have custody of their children at the start of the program. Pre and post-tests were given at the beginning and end of the program, as well as testimonials given about the effectiveness of the program. Participants apply skills learned in class at home with the children. They were able to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses and developed plans for better parenting. Grandparents raising grandchildren mentioned they were thrilled to attend because they could compare and contrast parenting skills from years past that no longer worked well. Two parents who participated in the class from beginning to end reported regaining custody of their children because of the Keys to Great Parenting class.
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