Project
Self-Sufficiency will offer parenting workshops for fathers and parents of
school-aged children this spring. The
course for Fathers will be offered on Tuesdays, March 5th – April 30th,
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Workshops for parents
of school-aged children will be held on Wednesdays, March 6th – May
1st, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Participants will learn about the different stages of physical and
emotional development during childhood, as well as techniques for positive
discipline and improved communication. The classes are co-sponsored by the Sussex County Family Success
Center and Project Sussex Kids, the Sussex County Council for Young Children. The
sessions are free and open to the public, but registration is required. The agency is located at 127 Mill Street in
Newton.
The
parenting classes offered by Project Self-Sufficiency follow the Nurturing
Parent curriculum which teaches age-specific parenting skills and includes components
designed for parents as well as children.
The workshops encourage parents to share their experiences with each
other.
“The ‘Nurturing Parenting
Program’ fosters the capacity of children and parents to trust, care and
respect other people and their environment,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon,
Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.
“The curriculum emphasizes the reinforcement of positive behavior,
attachment parenting, nurturing discipline and gentle touch, like infant
massage.”
The curriculum is
supplemented by small group discussion for adults along with play groups for
children which reinforce the weekly lesson plans. “This course offers a group
dynamic where families can share experiences and learn from others in similar
situations,” adds Berry-Toon.
The
Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency is a program of support
offered to all families. In addition to
parenting skills training, local families can participate in family activities,
receive information about health and nutrition, take part in economic self-sufficiency
programs, receive legal education, obtain referrals, and other services
throughout the year. Project Sussex Kids, the Sussex County Council for
Young Children, has been designed by the New Jersey Department of Children
& Families to address the needs of local families who are expecting or who
are parenting young children. County Councils for Young Children have been established in
every New Jersey county to bring together parents, caregivers, as well as
health, education and social service professionals to enhance communication,
coordination and collaboration of services.
To register
for the free parenting workshops, to discuss your parenting needs, or to find
out more about other programs and services available at Project
Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org. Information about the Sussex County Family
Success Center can be found at www.sussexcountyfamilysuccesscenter.org. Information about Project Sussex Kids is
available at www.projectsussexkids.org.
