1. Nurturing the Families of Louisiana

2. When a Nurturing Parenting referral is received it is reviewed by the Director. If the Director determines that it does not qualify for the Nurturing Parenting Class, but Parenting issues need to be addressed, he may recommend that a Family Life Skill Intervention (4-6 sessions) be implemented with the focus on specific Parenting issues or another Parenting program such as STEP may be assigned. If there is a current class in session (passed the 3 rd week) the referral would have to be placed on the waiting list until a new class starts or an alternate service will be offered. On the initial visit the assessment worker has the necessary paperwork signed, explain the Nurturing Parenting class, note its length (16 weekly sessions lasting 2 ½ hours), explained the in-home component, and have the client complete the NSCS and pre-AAPI.

3. If the children are in Foster Care, it is assumed that the foster Parent or DCFS will provide transportation. The Nurturing facilitator follows the “Lesson Outline and Program Schedule” for each class session. The Lesson Outline describes each session, the competencies and the agenda that is to be followed.

4. Each client attending the class should attend each session (16 weeks), but if needed, they are allowed to miss 2 unexcused classes (that must be made up). If the client misses a class due to court, conflicting appointments mandated by DCFS, accepting a new job or a change in employment, an effort is made to assist the client in staying involved with their lessons, i.e. additional home visits. The clients are requested and reminded to bring their journal to every class. “Knowledge Questions”, which are located in the Family Nurturing Plan, are given to each client after the teaching session. They are picked up before the Family Nurturing time. An “Assessment of Session Competencies” is done on each client by the facilitator after each class.

5. A snack time is included in each class either in the middle or at the end. An activity is also usually done after the snacks have been served. On the 14 th session the post AAPI and NSCS are administered. Graduation is held at the 16 th class. Each graduate receives a certificate if they have come to every session and/or made up missed sessions during in-home visits and completed their follow up visits. After graduation, the Nurturing Parenting Survey is given to every client and picked up for review by the facilitator.

6. Children’s Class The class is for children from ages 0-5 years old. The children’s class has a set agenda to follow when possible, depending upon the ages and makeup of the children’s group. Each agenda consist of arts and crafts, a song, and circle time where they learn a lesson that complement the adult’s class.

7. In-home Follow-Up Visits Workers do a follow-up visit after the 1, 2 nd, 3 rd, 8 th, and last sessions unless the client misses a session and needs a makeup session in the home. At the 8 th and last session their DCFS worker are required by DCFS to attend. More visits can be done at the assigned worker’s discretion. In each follow up visit the client discuss the assignment as written in the “Journal” that was given to them at the 1 st class. Other concerns not regarding Parenting might be discussed in this in-home visit.

8. Additional Parenting and Family Strengthening Programs Approved By DCFS Systematic Training for Effective Parenting Programs Three versions of the program are available and are designed for parents of differently- aged children: Early Childhood STEP Early Childhood STEP – for parents of children under six, STEP: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting STEP: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting – the original program for parents of children six to twelve years of age. STEP/Teen – for parents of children 13-19 years of age. STEP/Teen STEP

9. Additional Parenting and Family Strengthening Programs Approved By DCFS SEVEN SESSIONS Three versions of the program are available and are designed for parents of differently- aged children: Early Childhood STEP Early Childhood STEP – for parents of children under six, STEP: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting STEP: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting – the original program for parents of children six to twelve years of age. STEP/Teen STEP/Teen – for parents of children 13-19 years of age. Systematic Training for Effective Parenting Programs IN HOME

10. A 7 Week Educational Group for Parents and Youth (11 and up) designed to improve relationships, increase communication, and restore balance during the “tween” and teen years. Additional Parenting and Family Strengthening Programs Approved By DCFS

11. Visit Coaching Building on Family Strengths to Meet Children’s Needs.

12. Visit coaching includes: ■ Reaching agreement with the parent about the child’s needs to be met in visits, connected to the risks that brought the child into care ■ Preparing parents for their child’s reactions and how to plan to give their child their full attention at each visit ■ Appreciating the parent’s strengths in responding to their child and coaching them to improve their skills ■ Supportively reminding parents immediately before and during the visit of how they plan to meet the particular needs of their children ■ Helping parents cope with their feelings in order to visit consistently

13. FAMILY SKILLS TRAINING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY RELATIONSHIP AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES DAY TO DAY PARENTING RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

14. FAMILY SKILLS TRAINING RELATIONSHIP AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS TYPES OF SKILLS: Focus on healthy relationship skills (when Domestic Violence is not present) Referral support to appropriate Community Agency when Domestic Violence is not present Use of “Knapsack”, “PREP” material to enhance communication within family Use of SAMSHA supported Anger Management curriculum Use of other acceptable models to teach communication within the family

15. FAMILY SKILLS TRAINING DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES TYPES OF SKILLS: Education regarding Developmental Stages and expectations Nurturing as a Lifestyle Nutrition and Healthy Eating Parenting children with special needs Parenting a substance exposed infant

16. FAMILY SKILLS TRAINING DAY TO DAY PARENTING TYPE OF SKILLS: Show new parents how to adjust to being parents (Topics may include crying, sleeping, feeding, and understanding infant behavior and development Stress management: What do I do when there is no one to help Juggling task and chores Parenting a LGBT child Assisting parents in identifying supports within their environment Age appropriate discipline techniques And the List Goes ON…………………………………….

17. HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY FAMILY SKILLS TRAINING TYPE OF SKILLS: Parents/child understanding of specific medical instructions Accompany parent to medical appointment Provide family with information and resource material regarding specific medical problems Teach parents how to access medical treatment Teach parents how to navigate in the mental health system

18. FAMILY SKILLS TRAINING ENVIRONMENTAL & SAFETY TYPE OF SKILLS: Family’s understanding of environmental factors which need to be addressed and corrected (sanitation, hygiene, etc.) Assist family in correcting safety concerns when appropriate (i.e. baby proofing the home Hands on teaching or assistance in organizing home environment Referrals to other agencies if appropriate

19. FAMILY SKILLS TRAINING EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY TYPE OF SKILLS: Assist parent in learning educational options Assist parent in understanding school’s concerns while advocating for child Assist school in understanding special needs of family Referrals to other community resources (i.e. Families helping Families, additional assessments resources, tutoring, mentoring Serve as mediator between school and families if needed Assist parent in becoming actively supportive and involved in their child’s education Assist parent in becoming aware of child’s educational needs and actively advocating for them

20. FAMILY SKILLS TRAINING RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TYPE OF SKILLS: Education regarding Developmental Stages and Expectations Nurturing as a Lifestyle Nutrition & Healthy Eating Parenting children with special needs Parenting a substance exposed infant

21. OUR SERVICE PROVIDERS: KIRA BANKS, RSW GENEVIEVE HAYDEL, BS KRISTEN CHRETIEN, BSW DELTA SERVICE CORPS SHAMONE ST. CYR, BSW JESSICA MICHOT, RSW JASMINE BRANTLEY, BSW