"Almost all parents fall woefully short of their lofty child-rearing goals in some way or another. It's not ideal-but sometimes, it's okay." This is the lead-in to a father's intriguing commentary, I'm Not Proud, but I'm Not Alone: A Lazy Parent's Meditations. Noah Berlatsky offers an entertaining give-and-take on the idea that "In theory, of course, parents are not supposed to be lazy. We are supposed to sacrifice for the children and wake up at ungodly hours and camp in the rain if that will optimize our child's happiness quotient."that makes good reading for parents and those who work with them.

Thank you to NYSPEP Steering Committee member Liz Hood for bringing the article to our attention. It is available online at:
http://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/02/im-not-proud-but-im-not-alone-a-lazy-parents-meditations/273015/
Copyright © 2013 by The Atlantic Monthly Group. All Rights Reserved.

NYSPEP MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: MARY I. COLLIER

As a collaborative, NYSPEP draws strength from its diverse membership. The Member Spotlight features dedicated individuals of our Steering Committee, who positively contribute to the field of Parenting Education in a variety of ways. 

NYSPEP Member Spotlight: Mary I. Collier

Mary I. Collier, MSW, has proudly served the NYPEP Steering Committee for the past three years. As a Committee member, she co-presented a webinar about substance abuse and families. She also led a committee of providers to develop a series of parenting education pamphlets pertaining to substance abuse, treatment and recovery. The NYSPEP Steering Committee provided input on that project.

Mary's experience as an Addiction Program Specialist for the Clinical Services unit of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, (OASAS) and unique view of the effects of substance abuse disorders on families and children has been an asset for advocacy of both family treatment and parenting education. She holds a Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Child Welfare Practice from Syracuse University. She has more than 20 years of clinical and administrative experience working for the betterment of children and families.

Mary began her career as a high school social worker providing counseling, crisis intervention, student/family mediation, and individual group therapy. In private practice, she specialized in therapeutic treatment of pre-school children, adolescents and family therapy. She also helped develop and implement Adolescent Treatment Cafes held in Brooklyn, Buffalo, and Albany.

Mary began state service in 1999 at the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). She also worked for Schenectady County Department of Social services as a children’s services caseworker. She is a member of the NYS chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and was named as an “O Star” by OASAS in March of 2012. She is now retired and enjoys traveling cross-country to visit her grandchildren.

NYSPEP MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: VITO BORRELLO

As a collaborative, NYSPEP creates a strong statewide network which provides members an opportunity to learn from each other, discover various parenting education programs, and strengthen connections throughout the state. NYSPEP invites you to expand your own network by reaching out to individuals who are committed to developing strong partnerships.

NYSPEP Member Spotlight: Vito Borrello 

Vito J. Borrello serves on the NYSPEP Steering Committee and is focused on developing strong partnerships with the public and private sectors regionally and nationally, in order to elevate policies and practices for parenting education and family engagement in education.

Since 1995, Vito J. Borrello has served as President of EPIC - Every Person Influences Children. EPIC is a national organization providing prevention programs which have been implemented in 16 states and Singapore that help families, schools and communities raise children to become responsible and capable adults.

Mr. Borrello serves as a member of the National Family, School and Community Engagement Working Group, and just completed two terms as an At-Large Board Member for National PTA. He is also a Board member with NY State PTA. In 2011, he was appointed by the NY State Education Department for the workgroups Teacher Standards and Striving Readers.

Mr. Borrello is Chairman for the Care Management Coalition of Western New York. He is a Board Member for Buffalo's Read to Succeed literacy initiative and the University of Buffalo's Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention. He also serves on the NY State Family Engagement Coalition Steering Committee.

Mr. Borrello is a 2009 graduate of the Community Health Foundation Fellowship program and a 1998 graduate of Leadership Buffalo. He has a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Wittenberg University and resides in East Amherst, New York with his wife, Maria, and daughters, Marisa, and Samantha.

Poverty Affects Early Childhood, Parenting Styles, and Long-Term Outcomes

Nicholas D. Kristof, New York Times columnist and two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, recently penned an editorial exposing poverty's effects on children. He states evidence that we are loosing President Lyndon Johnson's "war on poverty". He further suggests investing in our nation and its children by diverting foreign war funding to early childhood programs.

Kristof cites disparity of educational opportunities between children residing in wealthy neighborhoods and those from low-income areas, and relates the disparity to different parenting styles, attitudes, and behaviors. Kristof recounts an experience from his own childhood. A friend's grandparent forced his friend to return a library card. If you're wondering why, please CLICK HERE to read the full article...

Young Child Expo & Conference

Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education and Los Niños Services are sponsoring the 10th Annual Young Child Expo & Conference to take place from April 17th- 19th, 2013. The primary purpose of the event is to provide parents and professionals with information and resources to help all children reach their full potential. Click on the flyer below for more details on this event.

NYSPEP MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: LIZ BELSITO

Are you interested in learning more about initiatives throughout the state? NYSPEP is pleased to introduce another individual who has dedicated herself to making a positive impact in the field of parenting education. Member Spotlights are an invitation to begin conversations and build bridges. Start networking by commenting below or email nyspep@preventchildabuseny.org

NYSPEP MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: LIZ BELSITO

Liz Belsito, MSW, sits on the Steering Committee of the New York State Parenting Education Partnership (NYSPEP). She also serves as Co-Chair for NYSPEP's New Parent Kit Workgroup. Through NYSPEP, Liz is working to develop resource materials for expectant parents.

Liz works as the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Project Coordinator at the NYS Council on Children and Families in Rensselaer, NY. She coordinates the Community Café project, which promotes parent leadership and strengthens community supports for parents. She also works closely with the NYS Early Childhood Advisory Council.

Before joining the Council on Children and Families, Liz worked in several direct service positions. She was as a Homeless Outreach Worker in Denver, Colorado. She was also a supervisor at a program for mothers with a history of addition and homelessness located in Central Massachusetts.

NYSPEP MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: MEG AKABAS

Did you know that nearly twenty volunteers across the state serve on NYSPEP's Steering Committee? NYSPEP intends to improve its communications, build bridges, and invite more conversations in 2013. NYSPEP is pleased to introduce the individuals who have dedicated themselves to making a positive impact in the field of parenting education. The NYSPEP Member Spotlight will be featured throughout the year on this blog and in our eNewsletter.

NYSPEP MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: MEG AKABAS 

Meg Akabas, NYSPEP-CPE, is a member of the NYSPEP Steering Committee and Tier II awardee of the NYSPEP Parenting Educator Credential. She has over 18 years of leadership experience in nursery and elementary schools. She has more than 20 years personal experience as a parent. 

Meg is the founder of Parenting Solutions in New York City. She regularly facilitates workshops and provides one-on-one consultations for parents and teachers. Meg states, "I firmly believe parenting education is for everyone - not just 'struggling' parents."

NYSPEP is excited to share two pieces of news concerning Meg, who is also an author. Meg recently wrote an article for Parenting.com. The article was also picked up by Huffington Post Parents and CNN. Meg suggests parents resolve to give themselves a break and think small. Click here to read A Different Kind of Parenting Resolution.

Meg also authored a new book 52 Weeks of Parenting Wisdom: Effective Strategies for Raising Happy, Responsible Kids. The book offers step-by-step strategies to make one single, attainable, positive change per week. The chapters cover specific topics of concern and are effective for infancy through elementary school ages.

A public launch party for 52 Weeks of Parenting Wisdom will be held Tuesday, January 8th from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at Bank Street Bookstore located at 112th Street and Broadway in New York City. When you meet Meg, be sure to thank her for volunteering to serve NYSPEP.