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"All children will learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential."
Parents Taking the First Step
Parents worry. That is what we do. We also love, laugh, and cry. But there is one thing our children RELY on us to do, and that is TEACH. We are our children's very first, and hopefully their very best, teachers.
But it is hard to do all the teaching alone. And, clearly, as each child presents new and amazing challenges, our ability to teach is tested.
Parents as Teachers is an organization that is here to help. With more than 10-thousand Parent Educators nationwide, they make it their mission to "provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life."
This mission brings these trained Parent Educators into homes to show parents new ways to interact with their children, ensure the children are on track physically and mentally, and to potentially detect developmental delays or health issues earlier than normal. As a family working with Parents as Teachers, you will also have access to health screenings, a community network, and group meetings that allow you to interact with other parents and children, as well as learn about parenting issues.
It is the state of Missouri that piloted Parents as Teachers back in 1981. The program was officially funded and available to all in the state by 1985.
"The state of Missouri has a jewel," says Parents As Teachers Marketing Communication Director, Pat Simpson. She further explains, "Missouri has universal access. That means it is the only state where Parent Educators and this program must be free and available to everyone." In Missouri, Parents As Teachers is covered by the Department of Elemenatry and Secondary Education.
As of this year, there are more than 3000 programs around the United States, but, Simpson notes, "in many areas of the country families must qualify in some way for Parents as Teachers services because of the constraints dictated by the programs' funders." She adds, "Parents As Teachers would like to expand funding for ALL home visiting programs which would open more access to everyone. Missouri certainly serves as a model that we'd like to see replicated in other states."
Parents As Teachers' theme for 2008 is 'ADVOCACY.' As Simpson says, "The only way to get something instituted is by advocating...we need to ask for it." At their annual convention in St.Louis this April, they will have a letter writing campaign asking parents and educators alike to contact their state legislature, requesting that these programs be fully funded and available to all.
If you would like to learn more about Parents as Teachers and what programs are specifically available in your state, you can contact the National Center at 1-866-PAT4YOU (1-866-728-4968), email info@ParentsAsTeachers.org. you can go to www.ParentsAsTeachers.org.
