NYSPEP Member Spotlight: Jennie Knox

Jennie L. Knox, MSEd, returns to the NYSPEP Steering Committee after a hiatus during the previous year. In 2012, she left her full-time position of 10 years to provide elder care for a family member. She previously co-chaired NYSPEP's Professional Development group and presented the ‘Media Literacy’ workshops for Strong Roots trainings across the state in Fall 2012. She continues to support the work of NYSPEP, professionalism in the field, and recognition of the importance and value of Parenting Education across the spectrum of development. 

Previously, Jennie spent 15 years working in mental health services and working with individuals in families. In particular, she educated families about the mental health challenges that may impact them and how they might learn how to advocate for themselves. This helped to overcome some of the additional challenges of being an effective parent and creating a positive family environment. Jennie believes in collaboration and would consult with colleagues and families when a presenting challenge would require a 3rd party. 

Jennie was a Music major prior to entering the field of human services. She has coordinated fine arts and Christmas children’s programs through her church, in addition to working with its youth group. She currently lives with, “1 amazing husband, 3 incredibly awesome boys, and 5 cats in various stages of being in my own good graces.” She continues to provide support for an elder family member and currently works on a freelance basis.

NYSPEP eNews 02-10-2014

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 "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 NEWS: NYSPEP Professional Development Team - Field Survey

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: NYSPEP Webinar - Credential Introduction; NYSPEP Webinar - Credential Orientation Tiers I, II, & III; PCANY - CAP Conference; Fatherhood Buzz - Call for Participants; University at Albany School of Social Welfare - ACEs Symposium; NRC Healthy Marriage & Families Webcast - Working with African American Families

RESOURCES: Families and Media Project Report - Families' Educational Media Use

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NYSPEP Professional Development

FIELD SURVEY 2014

You, more than anyone else, recognize the training areas that you need and which matter most. NYSPEP wants to support you in providing quality support and services. We invite you to complete a quick survey to identify which practice-related training topics are important to you! Your response will help shape Strong Roots Last a Lifetime trainings this Fall. This survey is open to parenting educators and related professionals who provide support to parents or families with children. Extended deadline: Wednesday, February 19th. 

To participate in this survey, please CLICK HERE.

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NYSPEP Webinar - Save The Date

PE Credential: Introduction & Overview

Thursday, March 27, 2014 • 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Presenter: Meg Akabas, NYSPEP-CPE

Learn about the Parenting Educator Credential's history, purpose, and value in New York State. This webinar is open to anyone who wants to know more, including agency leaders, program managers, supervisors, applicants, and parents. NOTE: This webinar does not satisfy an applicant's prerequisite attendance at an Orientation. More information and a registration link is coming soon.

Please check the next bi-weekly eNews for updates.

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NYSPEP Webinar - PE Credential Orientation

Orientation & Application Process Tier I, II & III

Wednesday, April 02, 2014 • 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Presenter: Wyn Frechette, Credential Coordinator

Parenting Education is now recognized as a specialty requiring unique skills and knowledge. Many related professions provide a component of parenting education in support of parents and families with children. Learn how the Credential recognizes achievement, supports advanced learning goals, and sets a path for advancement. Agency leaders, program managers, and supervisors who believe parenting education may be a component of their organization's services will learn to recognize the core competencies identified as essential to parenting education. Attendance at this Orientation satisfies the application prerequisite.

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.

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Prevent Child Abuse New York - Save The Date

Child Abuse Prevention Conference 2014

Monday, April 28 through Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Albany Marriott Hotel • Albany, NY

Ideas, Inspiration & Innovation, the 19th annual New York State Child Abuse Prevention Conference will inspire and equip professionals, advocates, and caregivers to strengthen families, prevent child abuse, and improve outcomes for at-risk children and families. This year’s quality programming will include nationally renowned keynote speakers, highly rated workshops, and new offerings. A documentary screening of Spit’in Anger: Venom of a Fatherless Son produced by Kenneth Braswell will also be shown.

Workshop tracks include: Parenting Education & Support, Child Abuse Prevention Skills & Strategies, Reducing Barriers to Children's Well-Being, Family Engagement & Involvement, and Personal & Organizational Resilience.

Plenary Speakers: Janet Rosenzweig, Author of The Sex Wise Parent and VP of Research and Program at Prevent Child Abuse America; Tonier Cain, Survivor, Speaker, and Team Leader at the National Center for Trauma-Informed Care, on Healing Neen; and Joel Weintraub, Humorist & Motivational Speaker.

The conference is co-presented by the New York State Children and Family Trust Fund, Office of Children and Family Services, and co-sponsored by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children - New York (APSAC - NY). More information and registration links are coming soon.

Please check the next bi-weekly eNews for updates.

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Call for Barbershops and Community Partners to Get Involved

Fatherhood Buzz: Healthy Relationships - Planning Call & Event

Planning Call TODAY: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 • 2:00 PM

National Event: Saturday, February 22, 2014 • Participating Barbershops

Fatherhood Buzz 2014 will take place Saturday, February 22, 2014 with a focus on healthy relationships. This outreach effort promotes responsible fatherhood by disseminating information at one of the most trusted community resources for men: barbershops. There's still time to register and attend this week's planning call.

Planning Call Dial-in: (888) 403-8872 - Passcode: 867669

To register for this event, please CLICK HERE.

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University at Albany School of Social Welfare

ACEs, Trauma & Response: Capital District Symposium

Tuesday, March 04, 2014 • 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

UAlbany Downtown Campus, 135 Western Avenue, Room TBA • Albany, NY

This one-day symposium will explore the rapidly expanding science of brain development and impact of trauma on the developing brain. Speakers will illustrate emerging connections between trauma and social, psychological, and physical health across the lifespan. Advance registration for this free event is required.

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE. 

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National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage & Families - Webcast

Working with African American Individuals, Couples & Families

Thursday, February 20, 2014 • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Join nationally recognized experts and practitioners to address cultural competencies, discuss strategies to improve services, and highlight free resources to support workers and their agencies in efforts to strengthen families. A question and answer session will follow facilitated dialogue.

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.

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Families and Media Project - Report

Families’ Educational Media Use in America

A survey of more than 1,500 parents of children ages 2-10 resulted in this first comprehensive analysis of parents’ experiences with the educational media their children use. The study also examines children’s reading behaviors, especially online or on electronic reading devices.

To access this report, please CLICK HERE.

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Fatherhood Buzz - What's The Buzz?

The national Fatherhood Buzz Initiative will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2014. This year's focus is on Healthy Relationships. 

Healthy relationships between parents, and between parents and children, strengthen mental well-being and the ability to cope with daily stress. Fathers who model good communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal relationship skills are teaching their children by example the foundations of all healthy relationships: trust, respect, and understanding. 

Fatherhood Buzz is an outreach effort to promote responsible fatherhood and disseminate parenting information to fathers, families, and the community at-large via one of the most trusted community resources for men: barbershops. 

http://delightfullynoted.blogspot.com/2012/05/fathers-day-printable-shaving-kit-label.html

To get involved, please attend one of the Planning Calls on Monday, February 3, 2014 listed below. The calls will share information about this upcoming event and ways to promote healthy relationships among fathers in your communities. 

BARBERSHOPS: 2:00 pm (Eastern). Dial-in number (888) 403-8872 · Pass-code: 867669 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS: 3:00 pm (Eastern). Dial-in number (888) 403-8872 · Pass-code: 867669 

Please register for Fatherhood Buzz: Healthy Relationships at http://fatherhood.gov/fatherhood-buzz/for-partners/participating/.

When registering, please share all your contact information--including social media channels--and the best way to communicate with you. 

Please also share information about the Barbershop and/or Community Partner you are working with. 

For more information, please visit the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse at info@fatherhood.gov or call 877-4DAD-411 with any questions you may have.

NYSPEP eNews 01-28-2014

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 nyspep.org and click "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 NEWS: New Blog Series - NYSPEP Behind The Scenes, Announcement - NPEN Membership

FATHERHOOD: National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse - Fatherhood Buzz; Fathers Incorporated - Faith, Family & Fatherhood Summit

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Webinar - ACEs Effects on Parent Involvement; AAP Webinar - Positive Parenting in the Medical Home; Southern Tier - Trauma Education Summit

RESOURCES: Child Trends - 5 Ways Poverty Harms Children; National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth - 5 Things to Know About Teen Parents

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NYSPEP: Behind the Scenes

Growing Our Roots

Last year we brought you Member Spotlights, introducing our Steering Committee members. This year, our NYSPEP Coordinator will take you Behind the Scenes on our blog. January's edition reflects on NYSPEP's continued growth and emerging buds.

To read NYSPEP Behind the Scenes on our blog, please CLICK HERE. 

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NYSPEP Announcement

NPEN MEMBERSHIP 2014

NYSPEP is pleased to announce our renewed membership with the National Parenting Education Network (NPEN). In related news, Meg Akabas, NYSPEP CPE, has accepted an invitation to serve on the NPEN Council.

To view our NPEN Membership certificate and read the corresponding announcement, please CLICK HERE. 

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National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse Presents

Fatherhood Buzz - Healthy Relationships

Saturday, February 22, 2014 • Statewide • Participating Barbershops

Barbershops are a safe place for men to talk with other men and receive support. Fathers and sons form bonds visiting the barbershop together. Community organizations are encouraged to identify, engage, and partner with local barbershops. This year's theme is "Healthy Relationships". Separate planning calls for barbershops and organizations will be held Monday, February 3rd, 2014.

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE. 

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Fathers Incorporated Presents

Faith, Family & Fatherhood Summit 2014

Saturday, February 1, 2014 • 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Metropolitan Baptist Church • Newark, NJ near the busline

Join hosts ESPN analyst and reporter Chris Broussard, along with current and retired NFL players and personalities, for this free public summit. Supported by Fathers Incorporated, the Metropolitan Baptist Church, and Eagle Academy, this superbowl weekend event will include a panel discussion, brief screening of the documentary Spit'in Anger, and a Ties Never Broken pinning ceremony. 

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.

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FRIENDS National Resource Center Webinar

ACEs & Protective Factors: Effects on Parent Involvement

Thursday, February 20, 2014 • 3:30 - 5:00 PM

The Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) study is one of the largest investigations assessing associations between childhood maltreatment and the impact on later-life health and well-being. This webinar includes:

• Information from the original study
• Information from two programs working to build protective factors and engage parents
• A parent leader's personal experience and proactive steps to keep her children from experiencing ACEs

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE. 

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AAP Webinar - Positive Parenting in the Medical Home

Coaching Families & Modeling Positive Parenting

Wednesday, February 26, 2014 • 1:00 - 2:00 PM 

Presented by the American Academy of Pediatrics' Medical Home for Children Exposed to Violence, this webinar will enable participants to:

• Identify parenting practices that can build resilience in children exposed to violence 
• Identify ways to model positive parenting practices in the medical home
• Provide specific and practice guidance on parenting to families within the medical home setting

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.

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3rd Annual Southern Tier Multidisciplinary Team

Trauma Education Summit

THIS WEEK! ⇒ Friday, January 31, 2014 • 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Allegany-Limestone High School • Allegany, NY

Featuring keynote speaker Olga Trujillo, J.D., this summit will be of particular interest to those working in a school setting—from faculty to superintendents—and other professionals who work with children. Some of the workshops offered include:

• Improving Outcomes for Children by Engaging Their Families
• Preventing School Violence - Using a Threat Assessment Model
• Bullying & Adolescent Social Drama
• Improving Outcomes Through Cross-System Care Planning

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE. 

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Child Trends - Resource

5 Ways Poverty Harms Children

50 years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a War on Poverty. In 2012, the national poverty rate was 22% - barely lower than when the War began. This resource highlights five ways poverty is harmful to children.

To access this and other poverty topic resources, please CLICK HERE. 

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National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth - Resource

5 Things to Know About Teen Parents & How to Help

The Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy surveyed 4,439 pregnant and parenting teens over a one-year period. They also studied factors that help young parents become resilient. This resource covers five things youth and family service professionals should know about teen parents and how to help them.

To access this resource, please CLICK HERE. 

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NYSPEP Behind the Scenes: Growing Our Roots

NYSPEP received a lot of positive feedback after launching its 2013 "Member Spotlight" series, which introduced many of NYSPEP's leaders. In a similar spirit, NYSPEP is pleased to introduce its 2014 monthly series "Behind the Scenes" from the desk of the NYSPEP Coordinator.

It’s fitting that NYSPEP chose “Strong Roots” Last a Lifetime as the theme for our annual professional development training series. Reflecting upon the Strong Roots logo, I'd like to share an analogy stemming from nature. 

NYSPEP Strong Roots Logo

Outside, trees have shaken off their leaves and appear lifeless. Trees grow ‘terminal buds’ shortly before dropping their leaves. Did you know these overwintering buds are the same ones that burst forth at Spring's arrival? The lush green we admire in Summer actually emerges at the end of the prior growing season! 

These buds don't burst open at the first sign of a mid-winter thaw. The returning freeze would destroy them. Rather, the buds await ideal conditions that will support their tender shoots.

In many ways, NYSPEP now resembles the deciduous tree in winter. It’s good to step back and focus on our internal processes as NYSPEP's taproot continues to grow. Here are just a few of our buds...

• NYSPEP's website at www.nyspep.org is undergoing changes in layout, navigation, and content. Recorded webinars will soon appear in the Archives. The Workgroups concept will shift to Projects, which reflects our emerging work. Professional Development and Credential projects are closely aligned yet each will have their own page with fresh content. A secondary event calendar will list professional development opportunities that aren’t hosted by NYSPEP. 

SIDEBAR: We no longer use our previous website domain. Please check that your browser bookmarks, organization website, and directories list New York State Parenting Education Partnership (NYSPEP) at www.nyspep.org/. Kindly alert your website administrator to direct links for the New York State Parenting Education Partnership to "http://nyspep.org". 

• Our Credential team is in the midst of incoming portfolio submissions for panel review. The application deadline for the Parenting Educator Credential is Friday, January 31, 2014. Please email our Credential Coordinator at Credential@nyspep.org with any questions or concerns about your submission. Future Orientations are not yet scheduled, but we anticipate they'll be announced in the Spring. The team will also develop a recertification component.

• NYSPEP’s Professional Development team created a Field Survey to help shape topics and locations for the 2014 Strong Roots training institutes. The survey is designed to be quick and easy to complete. An e-Announcement with details and a survey link will be sent to our eNews mailing list by end of January. 

• We're branching out to build relationships with organizations that may complement or overlap NYSPEP's work. Our newest Steering Committee member, Donna Morrison, is a liaison between NYSPEP and the Stronger Families NY Coalition (SFNY). Donna will attend an upcoming event hosted by SFNY. 

Trees teach us to grow roots, reach towards the sun, and extend ourselves towards others.

NYSPEP Announcement: NPEN Membership 2014

The National Parenting Education Network (NPEN) offers its members opportunity to connect with other parenting educators, learn about professional development events, list events on the NPEN list-serve, and more.

NYSPEP is pleased to announce our renewed NPEN membership for 2014 and on-going commitment to the field of parenting education.

NPEN Membership Certificate 2014 for NYSPEP

NYSPEP Steering Committee Members Involved in NPEN

Meg Akabas, NYSPEP-CPE and author of 52 Weeks of Parenting Wisdom: Effective Strategies for Raising Happy, Responsible Kids, has accepted an invitation to serve on the NPEN Council. 

Judith "Judy" Rae Wolf, Co-Chair of NYSPEP's Credential Workgroup, recently co-authored an NPEN white paper titled A Closer Look at Diverse Roles of Practitioners in Parenting Education: Peer Educators, Paraprofessionals, and Professionals.

KWIC Webinar 01-22-2014: Early Childhood Data

NYS COUNCIL ON CHILDREN & FAMILIES 

Kids' Well-being Indicators Clearinghouse (KWIC) 

KWIC Webinar: Early Childhood Data    

Wednesday, January 22, 1:00-2:00 PM (Eastern)    

From the moment they are born, young children are ready to learn. Behind a toddler's soft features and halting first steps, an unseen, but extremely high-stakes, activity is taking place - the building of a brain. What happens to children during those critical first years will determine whether their maturing brain has a sturdy foundation or a fragile one.

The January KWIC webinar will highlight how New York's youngest children are faring using population data, a child health system performance scorecard and an opportunity index.  Join the NYS Council on Children & Families and KWIC to learn more about New York's youngest children.

To register, please CLICK HERE.