Parenting Matters: Parent Education for Court- Mandated and Department of Social Services (DSS) Referred Parents M. Jean Baldwin, Ph.D. North Carolina A&T State University Gwendolyn Johnson, M.S. Tuskegee University

All social, economic and ethnic groups Larger percentage of lower socioeconomic families Almost all criminals abused as children Biological parent most responsible Parents abused as children six times more likely to be abusive Justification/Description

$94 billion/indirect costs (special education, juvenile delinquency, lost productivity, and adult criminality) $24 billion/direct costs (hospitalization, mental health needs, and the child welfare and judicial systems) Justification/Description, cont.

Abuse parenting styles are learned Parents using force see it as only means, have no alternatives Education & support needed break the cycle of abuse Justification/Description, cont.

Parenting Matters developed 2003, to fill the need for parenting training for court-mandated DSS/other agency referrals Referred due to abuse or neglect or high risk of doing so Justification/Description, cont.

Goal To reduce or eliminate instances of child maltreatment by providing educational learning experiences that increase the use of positive parenting practices by participating parents

Parenting Matters Objectives To help parents identify and use ways they can: 1. Be a positive influence in their children’s lives. 2. Take better care of themselves. 3.Communicate effectively and improve their relationship with their children.

Parenting Matters Objectives cont. To help parents identify and use ways they can: 4. Discipline appropriately. 5. Manage stress effectively. 6. Build a stronger support system.

Experiential Learning Model 8 sessions; 1 ½ - 2 hours each session Uses experiential learning model – Experience – Share reactions – Process, analyze, discuss experience – Generalize – Apply

National Extension Parent Education Model (NPEM) Care of Self Understand Guide Nurture Motivate Advocate

Evaluation Tools Closing go-around Checking your pulse Follow-through Activities Pre- & Post Assessments Follow-up telephone survey Information from social workers

Parenting Matters Training Background information about child abuse in NC Risk Factors in child maltreatment Connecting with the audience Attendance and participation record

Results and Conclusions PM pilot in three NC counties (2004) 12 agents from NC and two from Alabama (Tuskegee) participated in two-day training Diverse group of parents (race/gender)

Partnerships established (DSS; DHR, Head Start, local Health Departments, Juvenile Court System, Housing Authority, etc). Results and Conclusions, cont.

Outcome/Impact (2004) N C A&TTuskegee Number of counties using Parenting Matters 174 Number of agents/parent educators trained 194 Total Number of Parents participating Number of Parents Participating in at least 7 sessions Number of Parents reporting increased understanding of child development Number of Parents who adopted nurturing practices Number of parents using appropriate discipline techniques Potential savings or costs avoided $2,242,560 to $2,2856,960$510,384 to $637,980

M. Jean Baldwin, Ph.D. Family Life & Human Development Specialist Phone: (336) , ext NC A&T State University, Greensboro, NC The Cooperative Extension Program THANK YOU!