Teresa is the Prevention Coordinator
of First
Step in the Baltimore, Maryland, area, and a longtime Active
Parenting leader and trainer. She took some time out of her busy
schedule to share some secrets to her success.
What
is First Step?
First Step is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that originated
in 1979 as a community-based organization providing services to
the community. Today those services include substance abuse treatment
services, youth employment training, educational services, parenting
programs, prevention programs and community outreach.
How
do you go about providing parenting classes?
Through numerous collaborative partnerships with Baltimore County
Schools, Government, Police, Human Services, Juvenile Justice
and the Local Management Board. First Step schedules (at area
school sites) then posts and announces upcoming quarterly programs
available to the area communities. Space is donated by area school
facilities to reduce the expense to families. Funds are sought
and obtained through grant applications. These steps are vital
in reducing the overall expense to parents…currently $30
per individual and $40 per couple for the entire 6-week program!
The program is limited to a capacity of 20 participants (the
maximum class size has been 24 participants) through early registration
(with payment in advance). The program is implemented using transparencies,
videos and a facilitator to provide an effective group program
servicing numerous participants simultaneously. Individual, personal
interaction time is allocated 30 minutes before and after the
class. In addition, snacks are provided, although we ask participants
to bring their own beverages.
About
how many classes do you offer annually?
Currently we average six classes annually…Active
Parenting of Teens and Active
Parenting Now classes… sometimes 3 and 3, or 4
and 2, …or 2 and 4. The actual classes provided are defined
by the need as reported by area families. However, a change we
recently made is to offer the same class at two different locations
to permit parents to jump from one class to the other based on
their busy calendars. This has benefited us in retaining attendance
since parents can attend on another evening when there is a schedule
conflict.
What
is your background…how did you get into the parenting business?
I am a Certified Prevention Professional working with youth in
the community to develop the protective factors and refusal skills
necessary for youth to refrain from or postpone initial experimentation
with drugs. Frustrated by hearing stories from youth about their
home environment, I switched my focus to hire more staff to work
with them. I then turned my own efforts to assisting parents through
parenting classes. Without positive parent support and involvement,
our best youth prevention efforts seemed futile. I am glad to
say it is working to support our youth, their families and our
communities and schools!
How
have you overcome funding challenges?
We have been challenged with budget deficits. However, we had
strong vision from the beginning to provide parenting classes
in affluent communities as well as low-income communities. Our
belief was that ALL families will benefit from our parenting programs…and
parents in affluent neighborhoods have direct and indirect affiliations
with area politicians, judges and attorneys involved with family
and juvenile behavioral problems. We believed that their familiarity
with our parenting programs could increase support, referral,
donations and funding for our programs. This vision has helped
us to continue to provide parenting programs to all communities
in our area.
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A recent First
Step Family Night attracted 100 participants—including 45
fathers. Here Teresa poses with basketballs set spinning by the
evening’s guest, former Harlem Globetrotter Spencer “Spinny”
Johnson.
Are
you noticing any trends in parent problems?
Several areas of concern have been addressed recently. Extensive
school homework, eating disorders, substance abuse/experimentation
earlier and more intensely, oral sexual activity, social youth
trends (tattooing, body piercing, ear tubes, co-ed sleepovers),
parenting peer pressure between adults (parents wanting to fit
in with their peers), bullying, discussing the effects of pornography
with adolescents today, discussion of daily time schedules and
the hectic effect on the family, and the importance of active
verbal communication with in the family weekly.
Not long ago, I experienced my first AP class (Teens) with more
men than women in the group. At the completion of the course,
I had eight fathers and seven mothers. As the facilitator, I was
challenged to provide more factual numbers than previously. This
group of fathers wanted to be able to support their parenting
with statistics and solid information when parenting their youth.
It was wonderful to get the fathers’ perspectives…it
will help me change the program to continue to encourage fathers
in the process.
Any
interesting stories from recent classes?
Nope, sorry we have a strict policy of “What’s discussed
in this group…stays in this group.” That means me,
too!
How
do you get the word out about your classes?
Through parents’ word of mouth, collaborative partnerships
within our region, but also through flyers, school newsletters,
our HELPS Coalition website (helpscoalition.com)
and always posted on the AP website! The important aspect is to
post the schedule early so parents can save the dates in their
calendars! By early summer, we have announced our upcoming fall
classes.
You’re
a trainer too, right? Do you often hold Leader
Training Workshops?
Absolutely! We provide LTWs twice a year (fall & spring) for
several reasons:
1. First Step can’t reach all the families in our region…we
need help,
2. By providing ongoing, current training, our staff and area,
associate professionals have access to less expensive training,
current training, and networking opportunities annually,
3. We believe in the effectiveness of this program and want to
encourage others to attend the LTWs. We offer them the opportunity
to attend any of our parenting classes to observe the process
in person. We have found that this step begins to reduce the fears
associated with the “first class jitters” and supports
them to offer their first class!
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