Bermuda counselors turn out in record number to support parent education ... Leader Spring #1

By Colleen Corron

~_The Bermuda Counselors Association reached a milestone in February when it sponsored its inaugural Active Parenting Special Leader Training Workshop in conjunction with the Bermuda Department of Education. "We wanted our first workshop as an organization to be one that would have an immediate and significant impact on the community," explains substance abuse counselor Sonia Paynter. "We knew that the answer was parent education—and Active Parenting programs."

__~This push for parent education was a result of a noticeable increase in behavioral problems both at school and in the home. "Problems in the schools like fighting and cutting classes have been around for awhile," says LeeAnn Simmons, a middle school counselor. "But we were starting to see many more problems than usual. Parents were really at a loss. They needed to learn how to discipline and communicate with their children."

__~The organization turned to Active Parenting for help. "We decided that Active Parenting programs would be the ideal way to help parents improve their parenting techniques and learn new skills," says school counselor Tina Stevens-Carty who was instrumental in organizing the workshop. "The real-life scenarios on the videos allow parents to learn through visualization while the program’s emphasis on discussion lends itself to experiential learning."

_~_An unprecedented 58 participants attended the one-day training for Active Parenting Today and Active Parenting of Teens. "We never dreamed we would have such a phenomenal response," exclaims Paynter, who attributes the high number to their aggressive promotion of the workshop. "We advertised on the radio and in local newspapers, and sent letters to all of the mental health agencies, government agencies and counselors in private practice. We got the word out any way we could." Participation also was buoyed by the Department of Education which allowed all of Bermuda’s school counselors to attend the workshop.

_~_Simmons emphasizes that the Special Leader Training Workshop was only the beginning of the organization’s efforts to improve parenting skills across the island. And they’re not wasting any time. The first parenting course is scheduled to begin in April with more classes to follow in local schools, churches, hospitals and correctional facilities.

_~_"We received such a beautiful response from attendees," says Simmons. "The counselors left the workshop feeling so energized." And that enthusiasm has been infectious. "We already have had several parents requesting additional classes," she says excitedly. "The workshop has sparked an island-wide interest in parent education."

Reprinted from Leader magazine.
Copyright 1998 by Active Parenting Publishers, Inc.