NYSPEP Member Spotlight: Britt Myrhol-Clarke

Britt Myrhol-Clarke

Britt Myrhol-Clarke is an Early Childhood Prevention and Intervention Program Specialist with the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH). Since the release of The Children’s Plan in 2008, OMH has taken steps to build systems to support the social-emotional wellness of children under age 5; and Britt has helped to develop the cross-system collaboration and public policies to support our youngest citizens.

Annually, Britt helps to coordinate New York State’s “What’s Great in Our State: A Celebration of Children’s Mental Health Awareness” event honoring programs, people and services throughout New York state.  

In addition to sitting on the Executive Committee for NYSPEP, Britt participates on: New York City Early Childhood Strategic Workgroup; NYS Pyramid Model Leadership Team; Early Childhood Advisory Committee Promoting Healthy Development and Strong Families workgroups.

Britt is a certified Circle of Security trainer and Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect educator. She lives and breathes early childhood and parenting- as a mother of three young girls who are 2, 3 and 4 years old.

2nd Annual New York Fathering Conference - Taking Care of Business: Equipping Dads for Parenting, Employment and Wellness

2nd Annual New York Fathering Conference  

Taking Care of Business, Equipping Dads 

for Parenting, Employment and Wellness 

Tuesday April 5, 2016  ▪  9:30 am - 4:30 pm  

Westchester County Center  ▪  White Plains, NY

ABOUT:
This conference features 21 all-new workshops presented by some of the most accomplished professionals in the fields of family strengthening, parenting, workforce development and health. Continental breakfast and boxed lunch is included with registration.

The New York Fathering Conference is presented by a coalition of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other individuals that work directly with fathers and families.


SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

• Kenneth Braswell, Executive Director, Fathers, Inc. 
• Dr. Ron Mincy, Columbia University

REGISTRATION:
http://nyfatheringconference2016.eventbrite.com


INFORMATION:
Please email: information@childfindofamerica.org

FREE Resources from Sesame Workshop - Divorce or Incarceration

Sesame Workshop offers FREE resources to help you help families through difficult situations, such as divorce or incarceration.

Little Children, Big Challenges: Divorce is designed to:

• Provide tools and language to help young children (ages 2-8) cope with and understand divorce at an age-appropriate level.
• Aid families in communicating and expressing feelings around divorce.
• Reassure children that they will be cared for, and that—together with their families—they can learn ways to adjust to their new life and have hope for the future.

Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration is designed to:

• Support, comfort, and reduce anxiety, sadness and confusion that young children (ages 3-8) may experience during the incarceration of a parent.
• Provide at-home caregivers with strategies, tips, and age-appropriate language they can use to help communicate with their children about incarceration.
• Inform incarcerated parents that they can parent from anywhere, and provide them with simple parenting tips highlighting the importance of communication.

Each Divorce or Incarceration kit includes:

• Sesame Street DVD featuring a Muppet story, live-action films showcasing real children and families, and an animated segment
• Guide for parents and caregivers 
• Children’s storybook

Kits are available in quantities of 50. 

All orders must contain the following information:

• Shipping Point of Contact NAME
• Shipping Point of Contact TITLE
• Shipping Point of Contact PHONE NUMBER 
• Shipping Point of Contact EMAIL ADDRESS
• Shipping Address Label FACILITY NAME 
• Shipping Address Label ATTN: 
• Shipping Address Label ADDRESS LINE 1
• Shipping Address Label ADDRESS LINE 2 
• Shipping Address Label CITY 
• Shipping Address Label STATE 
• Shipping Address Label ZIP CODE 
• NUMBER of Kits (MUST be a multiple of 50)

To order, please submit the information above in an email to:

• Divorce kits: divorce@sesame.org
• Incarceration kits: incarceration@sesame.org

Resources are provided for informational purposes only and do not represent an endorsement.

NYC Fatherhood & Family Enrichment Conference

NYC Fatherhood & Family Enrichment Conference 

Strong Fathers Build Strong Families,

Strong Families Build Strong Communities 

Saturday April 9, 2016  ▪  9:30 am - 3:00 pm 

Port Richmond High School  ▪  Staten Island, NY

FREE REGISTRATION! Visit www.therolecall.org and click the link to register for the NYC Fatherhood and Family Enrichment Conference.

This conference features keynote speakers, workshops, seminars, and resources from experts in the fields of Family and Fatherhood services. Lunch will be provided. The conference is open to the public. Fathers and mothers are welcome.

PRESENTER WORKSHOP PROPOSALS are due February 29, 2016. Please click the link to access the online submission form. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13i4kAKBXNTZCMsy4u3FXt-1tVIapz3Kd7FtnHymggIA/viewform 

WORKSHOP AND SEMINAR TOPICS pertain to fatherhood and family such as: Fatherhood Engagement and Involvement, Positive Co-Parenting, New Fathers Workshops, Child Support Information, Family Financial Planning, etc.

SPECIAL WORKSHOPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR:

• Members of the Spanish speaking community (se habla español)
• Parents of children with autism

ONE SPECIAL WORKSHOP will be offered for school staff and officials, early childhood education, and community programs to learn how to develop and maintain a vibrant Fatherhood Program within their organization.

GENERAL QUESTIONS / SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: TheRoleCall@gmail.com ▪ 718-971-6682.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Community Center Directors, Educators, Pre-School Directors, Family Workers, Parent Coordinators, Elementary and Middle School Principals, Fathers and Mothers, and anyone interested in attending.

HOSTED BY The ROLE Call in partnership with Staten Island Borough President James Oddo and Healthy Families Staten Island. The ROLE Call, Healthy Families Staten Island and Borough President James Oddo are excited to help serve families and fathers by bringing this conference to Staten Island and the New York City area.

NYSPEP to Give Strength and Inspire Action at the 21st Annual New York State Child Abuse Prevention Conference

NYSPEP invites you to stop by our exhibit table and say "hello!" at the upcoming 21st Annual New York State Child Abuse Prevention Conference, April 11 - 13, in Albany, NY. The conference booklet lists workshops recommended for Parenting Educators and Family Support Providers. Several are presented by professionals who are connected to NYSPEP: 


MONDAY, APRIL 11 

• NYSPEP 2015-2016 mini-grant awardee, Jewish Family Service of Buffalo and Erie County - Angela Spengler, co-presents “Refugee Trauma Family Support”, 1:15 - 2:45 PM
• Meg Akabas, NYSPEP-CPE, presents “Respectful Parent, Respectful Child: Practical Strategies for Helping Parents Build a Lifelong Relationship of Respect Within Families”, 3:15 - 4:45 PM
• Jennie Knox, Credential Coordinator, presents the “NYSPEP Parenting Educator Credential Orientation”, 5:00 - 6:30 PM, open to the public. There is no cost to attend the Credential Orientation. However, seating is limited; priority to registered conference attendees. 

TUESDAY, APRIL 12 

• Donna Morrison, NYSPEP Steering Committee member, and Iva Jenkins present “The Importance of Early Childhood Social Emotional Development and Ways to Support It”, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
• Donna and Iva also co-presents “The Impact of Domestic Violence on Early Childhood Development”, 1:45 - 3:15 PM
• Karen Sweeney, NYSPEP-CSPE, along with Anna Steinkraus and Elizabeth Wolfe, present “Protective Factors Framework: Children’s Social and Emotional Competence”, 1:45 - 3:15 PM
• Tim Hathaway, NYSPEP Steering Committee Co-chair, presents “Paper Tigers Documentary Screening and Discussion”, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13

• Community Cafe Parent Leaders, Kara Georgi and Katie MacIntyre, present “Community Cafes: Every Day Actions to Build Social Connections” in a two-part institute, 8:30 - 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
• Susan Perkins, NYSPEP Steering Committee Co-chair, co-presents “New York State Pyramid Model Implementation: Supporting All Children in Developing Positive Relationships and Social Competency”,  8:30 - 10:00 AM

For more information, please visit: www.preventchildabuseny.org/news_events/nys-child-abuse-prevention-conference/conference-information/

NYSPEP Webinar - Understanding the Protective Factors Framework: Resources for Building a Toolbox and Strengthening Families

New York State Parenting Education Partnership invites you to attend a 90-minute professional development webinar on Thursday, February 25 at 1:00 PM.

REGISTER NOW

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8698015857522769153

ABOUT: What are the five Protective Factors? What does each one mean? Get answers to these questions and learn how your work connects to these factors. 

This interactive webinar will demonstrate an experiential shift to strengths-based thinking, identify the role of culture and its impact on your work, and impart the importance of parent leadership and engagement with parents. 

You'll also begin to brainstorm how these factors can be used to evaluate and enhance your programming. We’ll also provide information to connect you with full Framework training and answer your questions after the presentation. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Parenting Educators, service providers and agency staff who work with families and children, school educators, parent leaders, and anyone interested in learning about the Protective Factors Framework are welcome to attend. 

PRESENTERS: Karen Sweeney of Sweeney & Associates is a NYSPEP Credentialed Senior Parenting Educator, Family Development Credential Trainer, TEPE Tier II Parenting Educator, and Protective Factors Framework Trainer. 

Kara Georgi is a Certified Protective Factors Train the Trainer; NYS Community Café Parent Leader; Co-chair of the Alliance National Parent Partnership Council; and Certified Teacher Pre-K—6. 

CORE COMPETENCIES: This webinar relates to the following NYSPEP Parenting Educator Credential Core Competencies: Strengths Based Communication, Family Systems and Relationship Building, Community Systems and Resources, Social and Emotional Wellness, and Working with Diversity.

REGISTER: 
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8698015857522769153

NYSPEP Parenting Educator Credential Orientations

Announcing the 2016 Schedule for the Parenting Educator Credential Orientations

NYSPEP Parenting Educator Credential - Tier II - Sample Certificate

Attendance at a Credential Orientation is prerequisite for applying to the Parenting Educator Credential. The Orientation outlines the Tier System, Core Competencies, and provides information on how to obtain the application packet and complete the forms. The annual application portfolio submission cycle is held in July.

Choose from one of four webinars:

• Wednesday, January 27, 1–2 pm


• Monday, February 29, 2–3 pm


• Wednesday, March 23, 11 am–12 pm


• Thursday, May 12, 1–2 pm

-OR- attend in-person Monday, April 11 at the Child Abuse Prevention Conference in Albany, NY.

Details TBA: www.nyspep.org/calendar/.