NYSPEP Renews Membership with NPEN

NYSPEP is pleased to announce our renewed Organizational Membership with NPEN, the National Parenting Education Network. NPEN provides a variety of resources for parenting educators and networking on the national level.

The 2015 Organizational Membership allows NYSPEP's website (www.nyspep.org) to be listed on NPEN's website. Up to five NYSPEP representatives are granted access to post to the NPEN list-serve. The representatives are also eligible to join NPEN Committees if they wish.

The following NYSPEP Steering Committee members have been selected to represent NYSPEP's Organizational Membership with NPEN in 2015:

• Tim Hathaway, Prevent Child Abuse New York
• Liz Hood, New York State Education Department
• Susan Perkins, New York State Council on Children and Families
• Deirdre Sherman, New York State Office of Children and Family Services / Children and Family Trust Fund
• Rebecca Widrick, New York State Council on Children and Families

Two additional NYSPEP Steering Committee members are currently serving on the NPEN Council:

• Meg Akabas, Parenting Solutions and author of 52 Weeks of Parenting Wisdom
• Judith Rae "Judy" Wolf, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Tioga County

NPEN is committed to the advancement of the field of parenting education. For more information, please visit www.npen.org/.

NYSPEP Member Spotlight: Deirdre Sherman

Deirdre Sherman is a Program Manager with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), NYS Children and Family Trust Fund, and serves on NYSPEP’s Executive Committee. Her work at OCFS includes support, technical assistance, and oversight for programs funded through the Trust Fund, including Family Resource Centers, home visiting and parent education programs, and elder abuse prevention programs. She also provides support for the Safe Babies New York, a statewide initiative which provides education on abusive head trauma (Shaken Baby Syndrome) and safe sleeping practices to parents of newborns at all 134 maternity hospitals across the state.

Prior to OCFS, Deirdre worked at Occupations, Inc.*, a non-profit human service agency in Orange County, NY. She began her 15 year term with the agency as a home visitor in the agency's family development program, an intensive home visitation program providing parenting education, coaching, and skill building for families under family court supervision. Deirdre then worked as a school-based caseworker and went on to become a casework supervisor. She supervised a Healthy Families New York site in Orange County for several years.

Deirdre holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Rochester. She is passionate about strengthening families by building protective factors at the family and community level to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Deirdre enjoys time with family including her husband of more than thirty years, her three children, and one grandchild. Deirdre also volunteers to assist with activities and events to support a homeless shelter in Middletown, NY. In her spare time, she enjoys walking with dogs, bird-watching, and reading.

 *now known as Access: Supports for Living

NYSPEP Member Spotlight: Tim Hathaway

Tim Hathaway, former Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota, joins Prevent Child Abuse New York as its new Executive Director and fiscal agent for NYSPEP. Tim also serves as Co-chair for the NYSPEP Executive Committee.

Tim brings 28 years of experience with children and families and has a strong commitment to the work of supporting parents as they create healthy environments for their children. He is passionate about eliminating racial disparities, driving best practice standards for Child Abuse Prevention, excellence in non-profit administration and advancing place-based, partner-driven solutions.

Prior to Prevent Child Abuse, Tim spent almost 20 years with Head Start programs in a variety of capacities including Parent and Child Centers, Early Head Start, Head Start and the federal Technical Assistance Network.  Early in his career, Tim managed and directed early care and learning programs for the YMCA and faith-based communities.  Tim believes in the value of professional development and has been a trainer and consultant to early childhood professionals for 25 years.

Tim believes NYSPEP is well-positioned to drive leading-edge prevention work for families in New York.

Tim states, "As a network of professionals working to expand the field, we have the potential to reach thousands of families and community members.  This reach is critical to normalizing parenting approaches that build resiliency in children. In a sea of voices, NYSPEP provides leadership based on evidence, experience and systematic solution finding."

NYSPEP Member Spotlight: Wales Brown Selected for Zero To Three Fellowship

Mr. Wales Brown, NYSPEP Member and Tier III Credentialed Senior Parenting Educator (NYSPEP-CSPE), was recently selected as a Fellow for the Zero To Three Fellowship Program. NYSPEP warmly congratulates Mr. Brown. A press release appears below. 

Washington, DC – January 2015 – Wales Brown of Schenectady, New York was recently selected as a Fellow with the ZERO TO THREE Fellowship Program – a prestigious fellowship that engages, enriches, and inspires leaders who are dedicated to advancing the health, development, and well-being of infants and toddlers. Mr. Brown has dedicated his life to helping parents build stronger, healthier connections with their children throughout upstate New York and beyond. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the fellowship program from his over 30 years’ experience and leadership as a parent educator with the Northeast Parent & Child Society.

Mr. Brown is joined by nine other fellows who are from eight states across the country and Australia. The fellows bring a diversity of experience from such fields as psychology, child development, law, pediatrics, parent education, mental health, social work, research, and public health. ZERO TO THREE is pleased to welcome Mr. Brown as a fellow and we are excited about the expertise, knowledge, and perspective he brings to the fellowship,” said Matthew Melmed, ZERO TO THREE Executive Director. “His work as a parent educator and a trainer of parent educators to promote the healthy development of infants and toddlers brings a unique and important contribution to the fellowship experience.” he added.

During the fellowship, Mr. Brown will work in collaboration with a diverse group of professionals in the judicial and child welfare systems, as well as parents and community members, to develop a plan to increase the number, skills, and capacity of parent educator teams who work with the children and their families in the foster care system and those at-risk. “The availability of parent educators in juvenile courts can provide support services to help prevent out-of-home placement for infants and young children at-risk or aid in reunification of young children with parents after being placed in foster care”, said Mr. Brown.

The ZERO TO THREE fellowship program, which began in 1981, is guided by the principles that babies do better when the professionals who serve them and their families are work together across areas of expertise, are knowledgeable about the latest child development research, and are well equipped with the leadership skills to advance change in programs, systems, and policies that impact the well-being of infants and toddlers. ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit that provides parents, professionals, and policymakers the knowledge and know-how to nurture early development to ensure that all infants and toddlers have the strongest start in life. For more information about ZERO TO THREE, please visit www.zerotothree.org

NYSPEP eNews December 2014 Edition

The New York State Parenting Education Partnership (NYSPEP) eNews is published bi-weekly with the exception of monthly editions in July and December. Please share with friends and colleagues. Visit our website at www.nyspep.org and click "Subscribe eNews / Join NYSPEP" to sign up for the NYSPEP eNews.
To announce an event or resource, send details to nyspep@nyspep.org. Please include your name and phone number, in case we have questions.

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NYSPEP Announcement: NYSPEP Mini-Grants - 2014 Awards Announced
Fatherhood: 1st Annual New York Fatherhood Conference - Call For Proposals
Professional Development: NYSPEP Webinar - Reflective Practice; NYSPEP Webinar - Building a Reflective Community; NYSPEP Webinar - Parenting Educator Credential Orientation; PCANY 2015 CAP Conference - Workshop Proposal Deadline Extended; CCF - NYS Infant Toddler Conference; Parenting Journey - Facilitator Training; IMHA Literature Circle - Brain Development
Resources: ZTT Video Series - The Magic of Everyday Moments

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NYSPEP Mini-Grants

2014 Awards Announced

NYSPEP awarded 10 Mini-Grants of up to $2,000 each to help providers increase access to evidence-based and promising parenting education programs. Thirty-nine applications were received. As we had hoped, at least 1 application from each of the 5 regions defined by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) met eligibility and application requirements. Funding for the Mini-Grants was provided by OMH. An announcement of awardees and programs appears on our blog.
To access the full announcement, please CLICK HERE.

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1st Annual New York Fatherhood Conference

Call For Workshop Proposals

Submission Form Deadline: January 6th

The conference will be held April 07, 2015 in White Plains, NY. Proposals are sought for workshops that educate service providers who work with fathers and their families, and workshops for fathers themselves. Suggested topics include: helping fathers navigate systems, engagement in schools and families, retention in programs, employment, domestic violence, co-parenting, mental health, raising daughters vs. sons, new & expectant fathers, grandfathers as dads, gay dads, at-home dads, incarcerated dads, non-custodial dads, adoptive dads, and more.
For more information and to request a workshop proposal form, please email Ed Lawson at elawson@fathersincorporated.com or call (845) 290-2763.

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NYSPEP Professional Development Webinar

Reflective Practice

Wednesday, January 21st • 1:00 PM–2:30 PM

Learn about the art of reflection, tools to assist your development of this skill, and strategies involved in relationship-based reflective practice. Find out how you can move your professional practice to the next level through reflective practice. Parent educators, trainers, teachers, child care providers, home visitors, social service workers, and anyone who serves families are invited to attend. Donna Morrison presents.
For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.

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NYSPEP Professional Development Webinar

Building A Reflective Community

Wednesday, January 28th • 1:00 PM–2:30 PM

Get acquainted with Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect (PCAN) concepts of self-awareness, careful observation, and flexible response. Learn how community members came together to create Westchester County's Early Learning Collaborative. Parent educators, child care providers, teachers, home visitors, Head Start staff, foster care providers, and workers in social services, children's advocacy, and the family movement are invited to attend. Donna Morrison presents.
For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.

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NYSPEP Parenting Educator Credential - Orientation Webinars

PE Credential Orientation: Tiers I, II, III, & IV

Spring 2015 Credential Applicants - LAST CHANCE!

Tuesday, January 13th • 10:00 AM–11:00 AM

Attendance at an Orientation is pre-requisite to applying for the Credential during either of the 2 annual submission cycles. Learn about the Tier system, core competencies, application process, portfolio requirements, 2015 submission cycles, and fees. A brief Q&A session will follow. Jennie Knox, Credential Coordinator, presents.
For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.
Questions? Please email credential@nyspep.org.

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PCANY Child Abuse Prevention Conference 2015

Call For Workshop Proposals

EXTENDED! Submission Deadline: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19th

Prevent Child Abuse New York is accepting workshop proposals for its annual NYS Child Abuse Prevention Conference to be held April 13-15, 2015 at the Albany Marriott. Workshop tracks include parenting education & support and family engagement & involvement. Preference will go towards highly interactive workshops which engage the audience and impart new skills that participants can apply immediately.
For more information and to submit your proposal, please CLICK HERE.
Questions? Please contact Jennifer Matrazzo at jmatrazzo@preventchildabuseny.org.

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New York Statewide Infant & Toddler Conference

Early Relationships Are Key

Monday & Tuesday, January 12th & 13th, 2015

Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel • Poughkeepsie, NY

Financial Assistance Deadline: December 19th 

Professionals who work with infants, toddlers, and their families will gain a deeper understanding of the dyadic approach to infant development through relationship based practice. Learn prevention strategies and training techniques. Topics include: culturally sensitive care, reflective practice, and relationship based practice. Learning sessions include: social emotional assesment for infants and Early Head Start - child care partnerships.
For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.
Scholarships and CEUs are available. Questions? Please email Susan Perkins at Susan.Perkins@ccf.ny.gov.

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Parenting Journey

5-Day Facilitator Training

Monday–Friday • January 12th–16th, 2015

Parenting Journey New York Office, New York City

Improve your group management and facilitation skills while learning to use the experiential curriculum to run Parenting Journey groups. Using an evidence-informed curriculum, the Parenting Journey builds competencies in parents that are aligned with the Strengthening Families Protective Factor Framework.
For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.
Questions? Please contact Pedro Gutierrez at (212) 430-5909 or pgutierrez@parentingjourney.org.

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Greater Capital Region Infant Mental Health Association - Literature Circle

Topic: Brain Development

Thursday, January 22nd • 3:00 PM–4:30 PM

Capital District Child Care Council • Menands, NY

Pre-read before attending: The Neurodevelopmental Impact of Violence in Childhood by B. D. Perry. Then, come ready to discuss the article with other professionals. You may bring supporting information or materials to share. Training credits are available.
For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.
Need help obtaining the article? Please email Sarah Gould-Houde at sgould@cdcccc.org.

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Resource: Zero To Three - Online Video Series

The Magic of Everyday Moments 

Zero To Three's new video series explores key aspects of early childhood development for use in work with parents. Topics include: nurturing healthy brain development, literacy skills, building skills through play, and child temperament. Each free video runs approximately 5 minutes in duration.
To access these videos, please CLICK HERE.

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2014 NYSPEP Mini-Grants: Award Recipients Announced

NYSPEP Mini-Grants, up to $2,000 each, help providers increase access to evidence based and promising parenting education programs. These programs offer parents knowledge, skills and resources for raising children. Funding for NYSPEP’s Mini-Grants is provided by the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH). An opportunity to increase funding this year allowed NYSPEP to award ten (10) Mini-Grants.

We received thirty-nine (39) applications from across the state. As we had hoped, at least one application from each of the five NYS OMH regions met eligibility and application requirements. Each application was carefully considered and scored by a team of individuals.

Awards were based on thoroughness and quality of the following criteria:

• Indication that the parenting program being implemented is research-based, proven or promising
• Clarity of both the description of the problem or need in supporting parents’ access to the program, and the explanation of how the funds will address that problem or need
• Clarity in describing how funds will be used to collaborate and/or augment other funds
• Inclusion of pre-post assessments of change for parents and a plan for documenting outcomes

This year’s awardees represented the top-scores in each of the NYS OMH regions, and also represented the top scores overall. Of all the many fine and thoughtful proposals we received, we are pleased to announce the following awardees of the 2014 NYSPEP Mini-Grants:

CENTRAL REGION

• Catholic Charities of Broome County / Gateway Center for Youth for Active Parenting of Teens
• Opportunities for Otsego for Building Healthy Families

HUDSON RIVER REGION

• Albany County Department for Children, Youth and Families for Healthy Families Albany County
• Community Maternity Services of Schoharie Otsego for Maternity Outreach
• The Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties / The Dr. Stephen and Suzanne Menkes Child Advocacy Center for Understanding the Traumatized Child; Guidance for Parents and Care-Givers
• Catholic Charities of Columbia and Greene County for Kinship Caregivers

LONG ISLAND REGION

• EAC Network's Long Island Parenting Institute for Common Sense Parenting

NEW YORK CITY REGION

• Henry Street Settlement for Henry Street's Neighborhood Resource Center / Parent Center

WESTERN REGION

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County for Parents Apart: Helping Children Adjust to Separation and Divorce
• Family Help Center for Parenting Wisely

NYSPEP eNews 11-20-2014

Visit our website at www.nyspep.org and click "Subscribe eNews / Join NYSPEP" to sign up for the NYSPEP eNews.
To announce an event or resource, send details to nyspep@nyspep.org. Please include your name and phone number, in case we have questions.

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NYSPEP Mini-Grants

2014 Awards Postponed

Recipients of NYSPEP's 2014 Mini-Grants to increase access to parenting programs will be announced by December 1st. We had expected to make awards by November 20th, but the selection has been delayed. We want to be sure to give sufficient consideration to the many fine and thoughtful proposals we received. We look forward to announcing the 2014 awardees in our next eNews.

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NYSPEP Parenting Educator Credential - Orientation Webinars

PE Credential Orientation: Tiers I, II, III, & IV

Attention Spring 2015 Applicants: Please choose ONE of the following

Thursday, November 20th • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Thursday, December 11th • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Last Chance → Tuesday, January 13, 2015 • 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Orientation is a pre-requisite for the application process, which takes place twice annually. Jennie Knox, Credential Coordinator, and Judy Wolf, Credential Workgroup Co-chair, present. Learn about the Tier system, core competencies, application process, portfolio requirements, 2015 submission cycles, and fees. A brief Q&A session will follow. Questions? Please email the Credential Coordinator at: credential@nyspep.org.
To register for Thursday, November 20th • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, please CLICK HERE.
To register for Thursday, December 11th • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, please CLICK HERE.
To register for Tuesday, January 13th • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, please CLICK HERE.

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PCANY Child Abuse Prevention Conference 2015

Call For Workshop Proposals

Submission Deadline: Friday, December 12th

Prevent Child Abuse New York is accepting workshop proposals for its annual NYS Child Abuse Prevention Conference to be held April 13-15, 2015 at the Albany Marriott. Preference will go towards highly interactive workshops, which include strategies to engage the audience and impart new skills that participants can use immediately in their jobs, homes, and communities. Workshop tracks include Parenting Education & Support and Family Engagement & Involvement.
For more information and to submit your proposal, please CLICK HERE.
Questions? Please contact Jennifer Matrazzo at jmatrazzo@preventchildabuseny.org.

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Cornell Cooperative Ext. Tioga Co. - First Friday Workshop

Parents Supporting Early Literacy

Friday, December 5th • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Cornell Cooperative Extension, Tioga • Binghamton, NY (?)

Parenting practices and behaviors are predictors of children’s readiness and success in school. Learn how parenting educators can help parents nurture early literacy and school readiness. Questions? Please contact Judy Wolf at jrw19@cornell.edu.
For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.

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CSSP and CDC Webinar

Strengthening Families and Essentials for Childhood

Friday, November 21st •  2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Learn about the relationship between the Center for the Study of Social Policy’s (CSSP) Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Essentials for Childhood framework. This webinar will compare similarities and differences, and how these frameworks can mutually support each other.
For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.

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Parenting Journey

5-Day Facilitator Training

Monday - Friday • December 15th - 19th

Parenting Journey New York Office, New York City

Participants will learn how to use the experiential curriculum to run Parenting Journey groups. Using an evidence-informed curriculum, the Parenting Journey builds competencies in parents that are aligned with the Strengthening Families Protective Factor Framework. Questions? Please contact Pedro Gutierrez at (212) 430-5909 or pgutierrez@parentingjourney.org.
For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.

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Friends National Resource Center - Online Course

Qualitative Data in Program Evaluation

This 24/7 online course explores the effectiveness of a fictional program. Learn how qualitative methods can enhance evaluation efforts, how to get started, and ways to collect, analyze and share qualitative data. First time users will need to register for a free account and may access other courses.
For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.

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Annie E. Casey Foundation - Kids Count Policy Report 

Creating Opportunities For Families

Lack of reliable child care or dependable transportation can translate to less income or even a lost job. This report details the statistical realities families face and offers recommendations for creating opportunities.
To download the report (.pdf), please CLICK HERE.

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Zero To Three - Screen Sense Webpage

Screen Use Guidelines For Children Under 3

Guidance for parents concerning screen time is often based on ideology, not science. Zero To Three provides an authoritative review concerning the effect of screen media on a young child’s development and provides guidelines for screen use based on the evidence. Free downloads include the white paper, key findings, tips for using screen media with young children, and debunking 5 myths.
To access the Screen Sense webpage, please CLICK HERE.

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