In-Person and Online Parenting Classes in August

 

Parents, caregivers, and educators are invited to learn practical strategies to address common parenting challenges by attending free, in-person or online workshops and discussion groups hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency. Workshops will offer participants the tools they need to raise happy, confident children and effectively manage misbehavior; a variety of course options are available to accommodate the varied needs of participants.

 

Workshops and discussion groups will help participants identify their parenting goals, address behavioral problems, and promote healthy child development by using the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, a comprehensive education initiative targeted to parents, healthcare professionals, educators, and caregivers of infants, toddlers, and school-aged children. 

 

A Positive Parenting Course will be held at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency and offered simultaneously on Zoom, August 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, and 28^th; and September 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, and 23^rd.  Pizza and childcare will be available to attendees at all in-person sessions.

 

Topics covered during the Positive Parenting Course include:

·         Positive Parenting.

·         Helping Children Develop.

·         Managing Misbehavior.

·         Planning Ahead.

 

Parents who need personalized assistance are invited to make an appointment for one-on-one coaching with experienced parenting skills educators. In addition, the Triple P coursework is available online and on demand to those who cannot attend the scheduled workshops.

 

“These programs will give parents, caregivers, and educators simple and practical strategies to help build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage children’s behavior, and reduce stress,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.

 

Gift card incentives are in place for attendance; interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, or register online, https://www.projectselfsufficiency.org/parenting-classes.

 

Learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences

 

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer three workshops during July and August regarding adverse childhood experiences with the goal of educating the public, supporting trauma survivors, and offering tips for prevention and healing within the community.  A virtual “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities” presentation on Wednesday, July 23^rd, 2:00 p.m., will address the neurological and biological effects of adversity on development and its corresponding impact on the health of the overall population. The workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, which facilitates the conversation about issues surrounding childhood trauma, will be offered virtually in English, Tuesday, August 19^th, 2:00 p.m., and in Spanish, Wednesday, August 20^th, 2:00 p.m.  Tips for protection, prevention, and promoting resilience within the community will also be discussed.  All workshops are free and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to receive log-in details. 

 

During the Understanding ACEs workshop, parents, caregivers, and other community providers will learn how childhood trauma impacts physical and neurological development and discuss methods for improving health and well-being across the lifespan.

 

The Connections Matter curriculum invites providers, parents, and community members to build caring connections to improve resiliency.  Discussion during the workshops will focus on understanding adverse childhood experiences and demonstrating how caring connections can serve as a primary buffer in the negative effects of trauma.  The training is appropriate for parents and providers raising and teaching school aged children.  All three workshops are funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey. 

 

Speakers will address the impact of adverse childhood experiences on social, emotional, and cognitive development, and offer tips and strategies for building resilience.  Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are widely recognized as falling into three distinct categories, abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction.  Examples of negative behavior said to result from ACEs include smoking, alcoholism, drug use, absenteeism, and lack of physical activity.  These behaviors can cause a cascade of physical and mental health problems, from diabetes to cancer to suicidal thoughts.  It is estimated that approximately 67% of the population has experienced at least one adverse childhood experience.

 

Project Self-Sufficiency is bringing together professionals, providers, and parents who are committed to increasing awareness of the impact of childhood trauma on juvenile development, future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity.  “Our goal is to help make our community a place in which every child can thrive by providing education and training on adverse childhood experiences and assuring safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “Protection, prevention, and resilience promotion can profoundly improve health according to recent discoveries in neuroscience, epigenetics, and epidemiology. The tools identified in these workshops can positively impact public health, safety, and productivity, and reduce public and private costs now and for future generations.”

Sponsor a Backpack for a Local Student

 

Project Self-Sufficiency is seeking donations of new school supplies for distribution to more than 500 children and teens during the month of August.  This year, organizers are suggesting that donors sponsor a backpack for students in need; a $25 donation will purchase and fill a small backpack with the key supplies needed for elementary school students while a $50 donation will purchase and fill a large backpack with key supplies for middle and high school students.  Monetary donations, which allow the agency to purchase supplies in bulk, will be gratefully received at https://www.projectselfsufficiency.org/school-supplies.  For those who prefer to shop, a wish list of items has been prepared, including new backpacks, crayons, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, scissors, pens, spiral notebooks, and loose-leaf paper.  Backpacks in solid and neutral colors are preferred.  Backpacks and supplies will be distributed to more than 500 students at a festive Back to School Fair in August and at other events throughout the school year. 

 

Those who need backpacks and school supplies are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, to be put on the distribution list.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  For information about donating school supplies, or to inquire about any of the programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.