Greater Hartford - Connecticut

Parenting Education Network

Minutes

09/12/06

Present: Lynn Webber, Diana Thibodeau, Ileana Perez, Tammy Joyner, Mamie Gage, Irene Gonzalez, Pat Gray, Beth Mix, Jessica Bilbao, Ava Hart, Dora Ruiz, Nilda Hernandez, Brenda Lammie, Natalie McCarthy, Karen Mastroianni, Kristen Winkle, Andrea Mashiale, Sandy Phillips and Patty Berky

        Breakfast/Introductions

        Housekeeping

Please, park behind the building on either side.  Do not park in front as those spots are reserved for employees and handicapped parking.  Thank-you to CAFAP and Pat Gray for hosting us and providing hot beverages.

        Presentation by Lynn Webber:

KIDSAFE CT and The Parenting Journey Curriculum

Core of 12-week parenting group focuses on addressing why

parents do the things they do learning from the past and

filling in any gaps.  Lynn Webber is a certified trainer of this

curriculum and teaches it to approximately 6 parents at a time

over the course of 12-weeks.  The cost is $900.00/pp and is

often covered by DCF.  Lynn reviewed two examples of

activities utilized during the group including "Looking at

Ourselves: Personal Inventory" and "Weekly Ritual

Questions".  Lynn presented "pin game" where everyone

picks a pin with a saying that represents how they are feeling

that day and explains to the group why they picked that

specific pin.  If anyone else is interested in becoming a

trainer of this curriculum they should call Emory Teuber at #

617-628-8815 (Somerville, MA).  The training is five full days

in Boston, MA and costs approximately $600 with materials

(lodging is not included).     

        Presenters for Next Meeting

Jessica Bilbao from ConnCAN will present about her agency's services.  Diana Thibodeau and her staff at CHR will present about their agency's services and will present a curriculum.

        Beth Mix: Manchester Youth Service Bureau

     Serving middle school and high school students out of

     Manchester Police Department's division program for youth 

     Provided clarification regarding a question about the "2006

     Questions and Answers about the Gray Area in Connecticut:

     Information for parents on their rights and responsibilities

     regarding their difficult 16 and 17 year old children."  If a car

     is stolen by a juvenile child that child will be charged with

     Taking a Motor Vehicle without Permission.  This should not

     require the parent to cancel motor vehicle insurance.  If you

     would like additional copies of this pamphlet please contact

     Beth Mix at # 860-643-3326.

        Announcements

Brenda Lammie announced a Fatherhood Support Group focused on strengthening relationships with children in and outside of the home.  For more information contact David Hendrix # 860-810-0622 or Brenda Lammie at # 860-418-8769. 

Pat Gray announced a workshop hosted by CAFAP taking place November 3^rd and 4^th from 9:00-4:00pm in Rocky Hill titled "Preparing Youth for Successful Adulthood".  Preference will be given to foster and adoptive parents when registering.  This is a free workshop and is open to clinicians.  To register contact:

1-800-861-8838.

Patty Berky announced training "The Effects of Systemic Oppression on Women's Lives" hosted by Kenneth Hardy, Ph.D. 09/13/06 and 09/14/06 in New Haven.  Recommended trainings presented by this trainer.  

Patty Berky announced next CT-PEN meeting will take place September 19^th from 2-4pm

        Case Presentation

Ileana Perez revisited a case in New Britain of a single father with four children requesting resources.  Father is 46 years old and the children range in age from 4 12 years old.  He is doing much better with the resources provided.

Tammy Joyner presented a family of six attending Hartford Public Schools who need assistance acquiring school uniforms.  Suggestions included Salvation Army, presenting a hardship case to the school, writing a letter to Wal-Mart or Bob's stores, J.C. Penny Outlet, Catholic Schools reduced rate used uniforms and Covenant to Care 243-1806.    

        Resources

Patty Berky announced that the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Group meets the third Thursday of each month at CREC from 1:00-3:00pm.  These are informal meetings to resource share and present difficulties in working with preschool aged children.

        CT-PEN Update

CT-PEN is focusing on researching a Parent Educator Credential.  The taskforce will be meeting next on 10/10/06 at CAFAP 2189 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill from 2:00-4:00pm.  Contact Ruth Freeman at positiveparent@earthlink.net if you are interested in learning more or contributing to this effort.

        Next Meeting 11/14/06

Patty Berky will bring refreshments.

CAFAP will provide coffee & tea.

        Meetings will take place the second Tuesday of every other month from 9:30AM-11:30AM @ CAFAP in Rocky Hill 2189 Silas Deane Highway.  Next Meeting Scheduled for November 14^th.

        Structure of Meetings:

-         Networking/Breakfast

-         Agenda/Announcements

-         Bring Curriculums

-         Discuss an Agency's Services In Depth

-         Case Presentations/Families' Needs/Resource Sharing

-         Update from State Level CT-PEN

-         Presenters From the Community

Minutes Prepared by:
Patricia A. Berky