State Networks & Connections

IDAHO

Parenting education programs at the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension Family Development Specialist. Programs currently in place include:

• Parents as Teachers: a nationally developed home visitation model for parents of children from birth to three years.
• Balancing Work and Family: a state-wide curriculum to help working families better meet their children's needs. Parenting Apart: An educational program to help parents develop strategies for two-parent participation in the lives of children in separated and divorcing families.
• Basic Parenting: A program for parents based on the National Extension Parent Education Model.

ILLINOIS

C.B.C.H. Morgan Park Children's Center in Chicago focuses on community and public awareness about parenting and direct services. The group meets monthly and requirements are being a parent of a child in the center.

Also there is the Illinois Family Partnership Network (IFPN) statewide network focusing on parent and family leadership.

IOWA

Iowa has no statewide parenting education network at this time.

KANSAS

The Parent Education Association of Kansas (PEAK) is an organization of parent educators who seek to raise the quality of parent education in the state of Kansas by providing support and education to its members.

In addition to their priority mission of professional development, parent educators in PEAK also hope to use the organization to speak with a common voice to government officials and the general public about issues that affect parents and their children.

Keys for Networking works on professional networking, program coordination between organizations and agencies, advocacy and legislative action, community and public awareness with parents, direct services, and parent support.

KENTUCKY

There has been some discussion about organizing a state parenting organization.

LOUISIANA

Louisiana has no statewide parenting education organization at this time.

MAINE

The Main Parent Federation works on program coordination between organizations and agencies, advocacy and legislative action, community and public awareness about parenting, and direct services. They meet weekly and there are no membership requirements.

MARYLAND

Maryland has no statewide parenting education organization at this time.

MASSACHUSETTS

The purpose of the Parenting Education Network of Massachusetts is professional networking, program coordination between organizations and agencies, and direct services.

MICHIGAN

Michigan has no state parenting organization at this time.

MINNESOTA

Minnesota has two statewide organizations that support the professional development of parent educators:

• Minnesota Council on Family Relations (MCFR) – a state affiliate of the National Council on Family Relations
• Minnesota Association for Family and Early Education (MNAFEE)

Minnesota also has a nationally known statewide parent education program offered through the public schools, Early Childhood Family Education.

All three are described in relation to parent education in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Council on Family Relations (MCFR) has a long history of supporting the professional development of parent educators and at one time had a special section for parent and family educators.

The mission of MCFR is the following:
The Minnesota Council on Family Relations strengthens all families by educating and supporting family professionals and promoting connections among those involved in research, policy and practice.

The MCFR purpose is:

• To provide multi-disciplinary professional development
• To connect research to policy and practice
• To explore relevant family issues

MCFR values and believes the following:

• Families and professionals mutually benefit when professionals pursue continuing education, apply current research and theory, practice and uphold ethical professional standards, and use best practices.
• Families exist in a variety of forms. The strengths and abilities of all families need to be recognized and nurtured.
• Families are best served within the framework that emphasizes family strength, diversity, interconnectedness, and social context.

The Minnesota Association for Family and Early Education (MNAFEE) is a professional organization for administrators, providers and supporters of high quality family and early childhood education for all families with young children throughout the State of Minnesota.

MNAFEE’s Vision Statement:
MNAFEE’s vision is that all Minnesota families have access to high quality parent education and family support during the early years and beyond.

MNAFEE’s Mission Statement:
The mission of MNAFEE is to promote communication, purposeful networking, staff development and evaluation activities that strengthen Early Childhood Family Education, School Readiness, and other family and early education programs and initiatives.

MNAFEE’s Guiding Principles:

• Advocate for the children and their best interests while working with parents and other adults in their lives.
• Support the ongoing development of a knowledge base that guides professionals toward high standards of quality and ethical practice.
• Be committed to ongoing training and professional development to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Foster networking and open communication among professionals in the field.
• Assure the presence of a clear and representative voice for family and early childhood education professionals throughout the state.
• Advocate for laws and policies that are in the best interests of children, parents, families and communities.
• Promote research and evaluation necessary for family and early education program accountability.
• Advocate for laws and regulations that support the practice of quality family and early childhood education and serve as an information resource for policymakers.

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a voluntary public school program for all Minnesota families with children between the ages of birth and kindergarten. It is offered in every school district and the four tribal schools - all families with young children in the state have access to ECFE.

During the 2005-2006 school year approximately 300,000 young children and their parents participated reaching about 45% of the eligible population. ECFE is funded by approximately $43 million in state and local taxes at $120 per child per year.

Minnesota 's ECFE program is the largest and oldest statewide family support and education program for young children and their families in the country. The mission of ECFE is to strengthen families through the education and support of all parents in providing the best possible environment for the healthy growth and development of their children.

The program has three core components: parent education, early childhood education, and parent-child interaction. Most parents and their children attend once a week for two hours. ECFE programs provide different types and intensities of services to meet specific family needs, and families choose those that make sense for them. Home visits, information on other community resources for families with young children, special events, and libraries of books, toys, and other learning materials are also available.

In order to be hired as a parent educator in ECFE, it is required that you hold a Minnesota Board of Teaching Parent and Family Education license.

Preparation for this license is available through Family Education at the University of Minnesota and Early Childhood and Family Studies at St. Cloud State University.

Minnesota Board of Teaching Parent and Family Education license
https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/rules/?id=8710.3100

Family Education at the University of Minnesota
http://cehd.umn.edu/CI/Programs/FYC/parent.html

Early Childhood and Family Studies at St. Cloud State University
http://bulletin.stcloudstate.edu/gb/programs/cfs.asp#licensure

MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi's organization is called the Mississippi Forum on Children and Families. Their purpose is professional networking, program coordination between organizations and agencies, advocacy and legislative action, community and public awareness with parents, direct services, technical support, training, and information referral services. They meet annually and there are no requirements for membership.

MISSOURI

ParentLink, a collaboration of 35 statewide organizations and agencies, is a united effort to support Missouri's parents. A variety of delivery models have been developed to accomplish this and include a 1-800 telephone parenting WarmLine; a statewide lending library service of parenting materials, a Web site, media campaigns, and curricula review guides, on-site and centralized community development activities, and community access points called Parenting Corners. ParentLink is based at the University of Missouri and is administered through University Extension.

Practical Parenting Partnerships (PPP) is a K-12 parent involvement framework designed to be school-specific and to support development of a school's network of partnerships. For additional information and a listing of all states currently served, please visit their website.

Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten. Parent education services are delivered through a combination of small group meetings with parents of similarly-aged children and private visits.

Early Childhood Education
http://www.dese.mo.gov/divimprove/fedprog/earlychild/

Focus On Kids is a divorce education program in 33 counties.
http://missourifamilies.org/fok/

MONTANA

For information on parent education programs and parent resource centers in Montana...

NEW HAMPSHIRE

There is a group of Family Development Educators that meets periodically statewide as the Parenting Education Work Team but no official organization.

Trained Family Focus Parent Educators present parenting education in communities throughout the state. Contact: Charlene Baxter, Program Leader

UNH Cooperative Extention offers:

• Family Focus: Parenitng the Young Child
• Family Focus: Parenting the School Age Child
• Family Focus: Parenting the Young Teen

NEBRASKA

There is no statewide parenting education network in Nebraska at this time.

NEVADA

There is no state parent education organization at this time but there are several child advocacy groups working on a variety of issues.

NEW JERSEY

Rutgers Child Adult and Family Development Courses

Newsletters:

• Child, Adult and Family Development
• Parenting and Child Development fact sheets
• Human Development and Family Relations-Extension service

Statewide Parent Advocacy Network
no description

NEW MEXICO

There is a group that currently meets about every three months and parent education has just begun to be addressed as a need in the state.

NEW YORK

Parenting Education Network of New York (PENNY) is a newly forming (2004) state-wide parenting education network for New York (no fee to join). A state-wide networking meeting will be held in Albany in March 2008 at the Annual New York State Child Abuse Prevention Conference.

NORTH CAROLINA

The North Carolina Parenting Education Network (NCPEN) is working to build the field of parenting education in the state with a focus on partnerships between parents and child care providers, teachers, and parent educators. NCPEN is an unfunded collaborative of parenting education organizations and agencies. NCPEN has just adopted bylaws and will have elected officers by Fall 2000. The core network meets at least 4 times per year.

NORTH DAKOTA

Currently the only reports on parent education are Cooperative Extension work.

OHIO

Parenting Education in Ohio focuses on professional networking, advocacy, direct services, and discussion groups for concerns, sharing related to programs across Ohio. First Lady of Ohio, Hope Taft, has convened a group, Parents for the 21st Century, which meets quarterly to address and coordinate parenting education efforts across the state. There are also several individual organizations that dedicate time, energy and resources to supporting parents across Ohio.

Parent Information and Resource Center, special needs and disabilities: EMSTAC Resources (Elementary & Middle Schools Technical Assistance Center)

Parenting Education Dialogue Circle
This networking and educational coalition in Montgomery County is open to agency and organization representatives and anyone with an interest in parenting education. Quarterly meetings feature presentations by local programs serving parents and families in the county. Bi-annual directory of parenting programs and services. Meetings are the third Wednesdays on February, May, August, and November at the Extension office.

OKLAHOMA

The Parent Day Planning Committee and Oklahoma Family Resource Coalition's purpose is professional networking, program coordination between organizations and agencies, advocacy and legislative action, community and public awareness about parenting, and direct services. The group meets bi-monthly and bylaws govern membership.

OREGON

There is no official organization at this time but there has been some discussion about the idea.

PENNSYLVANIA

There are a number of initiatives being connected in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Volunteers are being recruited across in allcommunities.

Related Links:
Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth, and Family Services
http://pccyfs.org/links.htm

RHODE ISLAND

The Rhode Island Parent Information Network's purpose is professional networking, community and public awareness with parents, direct services, and professional education. The group meets monthly and there are requirements for membership.

SOUTH DAKOTA

South Dakota's organization is called Parenting Education and their purpose is professional networking, program coordination between organizations and agencies, community and public awareness about parenting, and direct services. They meet quarterly.

PUERTO RICO

Puerto Rico has no parenting education network at this time.

SOUTH CAROLINA

There is no statewide parenting education organization in South Carolina at this time.

TENNESSEE

In Tennessee, Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agents are working with parents in a variety of settings.

TEXAS

The Texas Registry of Parent Educator Resources (Tx ROPER) provides information and resources to parenting professionals and parents in Texas.

All parent educators in Texas are asked to register in an online searchable database which is used by parents and professionals to locate parent educators by geographic location, parenting program, parenting topic or language. Tx ROPER provides a professional library, online resources for professionals and parents and training. Tx ROPER works with agencies and organizations throughout Texas to provide parenting professionals with professional development opportunitties including "Core Knowledge for Parent Educators and Family Support Professionals in Texas." TX ROPER in the coming year will be developing a statewide parent education association and a form of certification for parent educators in Texas. Tx ROPER is a collaboration of The Children's Trust Fund of Texas, the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, The University of North Texas Center for Parent Education, the Hogg Foundation, with the assistance of the Texas Education Agency, Texas Department of Health, Head Start, Texas Youth Commission and many other agencies, parenting programs, and organizations.

The Center for Parent Education is located at the University of Texas.

The Family Centered Child Care Collaborative in Texas works on professional networking, advocacy and legislative action.

UTAH

Utah has a loose organization at this time.

VERMONT

There is no official state parent education organization at this time.

VIRGINIA

Hampton Roads Parenting Education Network
no description

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Washington Parent Education Collaborative works on professional networking, program coordination between organizations and agencies, advocacy and legislative action, community and public awareness with parents about parenting, direct services, training parent educators, and long range services delivery plans. They meet monthly with an annual retreat and regular other meetings of committees. Requirements for membership are supporting and helping.

WASHINGTON

A parenting education networking effort is underway in Washington State. The Washington Parenting Education Network's (WAPEN) mission is to provide leadership and infrastructure to support Washington State parenting educators in their work with families.

WEST VIRGINIA

Partners in Community Outreach is a loose state parenting organization with the purpose of professional networking, program coordination between organizations and agencies, advocacy and legislative action, and community and public awareness about parenting. It meets quarterly and there are no requirements for membership.

WISCONSIN

Parents Plus of Wisconsin is a statewide initiative which provides technical assistance to school districts, family resource centers, and home visiting programs. Parents Plus encourages parents to become involved in their child's education. Parents Plus also woks with school staff so that they can see the benefits of forming and maintaining partnerships with parents.

WYOMING

There is no official state parent education organization at this time.