| Online Resource |
Tina Feigal, one of the presenters at our 2009 Statewide Child Abuse Prevention Conference in St. Cloud, has a website full of information and links regarding the challenges of parenting. "I help adults deal with intense children so they can act from their values of compassion and kindness, without giving in to unreasonable requests. I offer an approach that deeply honors the child while holding firm limits, giving both adults and children a secure framework in which to thrive." Visit Tina's website at www.nurturedheart.com and sign up for her monthly newsletter which is full of articles on families and gives you a way to ask her questions about parenting challenges. |
| Contact Us |
Please send feedback and suggestions for
future issues to:
Circle of ParentsŪ Statewide Office
Priscilla Bennett
Communications Coordinator
1821 University Avenue, Suite 202-S
Saint Paul, MN 55104
651-523-0099 ext. 111
pbennett@pcamn.org
Our Regional Coordinators:
Metro Office
Alice Lynch
Metro Program Coordinator
1821 University Avenue, Suite 202-S
Saint Paul, MN 55104
651-523-0099
alynch@pcamn.org
Northeast Regional Office
Joan Johnson
Northeast Program Coordinator
9057 Sunset Strip
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
218-821-6429
jjohnson@pcamn.org
Southeast Regional Office
Barb Sorum
Interim Director of Family Support Services
606 East 5th Street
Albert Lea, MN 56007
507-377-7665
bsorum@pcamn.org
Western Regional Office
Mary Weaver
Western Program Coordinator
32662 Birchwood Shore Drive
Underwood, MN 56586
218-770-1385
mweaver@pcamn.org |
| Our Mission |
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The mission of Circle of Parents is to empower parents to create healthy and loving families through positive parenting and mutual self help. | |
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| CHAPTER HIGHLIGHT |
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 Barb Sorum, Interim Director
Red Wing's Hope Coalition in Goodhue County has been a collaborating partner with Circle of ParentsŪ for the past ten years beginning their first Circle of ParentsŪ group in October of 1998. They currently have five adult parenting support and education groups and nine youth support groups all serving over 100 participants each week. Susan Albarado-Grand, Megan Conway, and Emily Nelson, along with Hope Coalition staff and dedicated volunteers, are successfully leading the challenge to prevent child abuse and neglect throughout Goodhue County. On April 22nd the Hope Coalition hosted their 9th Annual Candlelight Vigil to prevent child abuse and enhance public awareness with over 200 attending. This year's vigil involved community leaders, teachers, agencies, families, parents, and local children. The program included poems written by local youth, musical talents, special speakers, and survivor stories. The highlight of each year's event is when Susan asks area youth to present roses to their personal "Safe Person" (with whom they trust and could confide in if ever necessary). Additional awareness efforts and fundraising events have included their first annual Daddy-Daughter Dance on April 26th and a May 9th golf tournament. |
| FACILITATOR TIP |
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Sue Thomes, Southwest Program Coordinator
Are you looking for an icebreaker or ways to identify group participants as leaders in routine and special tasks for your group? Paris Dunning of The Family Project ( www.everyfamilymatters.org), presented this great activity at our PCAMN conference last month. Provide enough head, heart, and hand shapes for each participant to have one of each. On the head, participants record things they know about. On the heart, they record activities they enjoy doing. On the hand, they record skills they possess. For example, if someone knows about special education services, they could support and/or help find resources for others just beginning to need those services. If someone enjoys cooking, they might help prepare the meal or volunteer to spearhead a fundraising bake sale. If someone is skilled in computer graphics and design, they could help with posters, newsletters, etc. If they are a handyman, they might help with constructing a parade float for your group. No one can do everything alone, and everyone has something valuable to contribute. This activity should help to encourage parent leadership, as well as help you become familiar with each other's collective knowledge, strengths, and skills. |
| CHILDREN'S PROGRAM LEADER TIP |
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Alice O. Lynch, Metro Program Coordinator
Many times when our children come into the program, they are coming from school or childcare or from home where they weren't able to finish watching their favorite TV show. They come in a little agitated or out of sorts sometimes. When young people come in from having a hard day at play, it is often difficult to get them focused. One way is to have an activity that slows them down and gives you time to get them settled. One idea that usually works is to have them get involved in something right away that is not too strenuous as they enter the program space. One such activity is to have them make individual name tags. Have some large (the size of a large cookie) circles and large ovals and maybe a few squares already cut out. Ask each child to take one of the symbols that they think fits them and have them draw what they think they look like. Make sure you have lots of crayons or markers so they can color themselves.
 After they have finished with their drawing, give them a name tag with a sticky back where they can write their names and then stick it on the chin of the picture of themselves. Figure out what is the most appropriate way to place the name tag on your students (a safety pin would work), and they can wear them for the rest of the program time. This allows for them to concentrate on an activity that does not take a lot of energy and gives them time to slow down long enough so that you can prepare them for activities for the rest of the time they are in the program. |
| OUTREACH TIP OF THE MONTH |
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| Joan Johnson, Northeast Program Coordinator When preparing flyers or speaking to groups about Circle of ParentsŪ, here are some tips to help reach your audience.
There always seems to be some confusion about who this group can help:
- Parents facing challenges
- Parents needing new parenting strategies and skills
- Parents needing support from other parents
- Parents who need some time just for themselves
- Anyone caring for a child
Topics that are commonly discussed in Circle of ParentsŪ groups:
- Positive parenting strategies
- Child development
- Self Esteem
- Anger management
- Parent child interaction
- Communication
- Partner issues
- Building Family Connections
- Coping with Stress
- Peer Relationships
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| TESTIMONIAL TO QUALITY |
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| A Mom's Story
This parenting support group has helped me so much. It has helped me try different things with my kids and better understand where my husband is coming from. I feel like I have learned from all the parents who attend the group with me and like the feedback and support from them. It has helped me a lot, and our son really likes coming to the additional children's program each week. This experience has helped change things for us at home. We have seen our son's behavior improve and he responds so much better when we give him choices and warnings about his bad behavior. We really like the people at Circle of ParentsŪ. |
| BOOK REVIEW |
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 The Colors Within: One Rainbow Reclaimed
Jana Adams (a survivor of child abuse)
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Marilyn Van Derbur, Author - The Colors Within is a simple but powerful story ...... a gift of hope for children and adults.
Suzanne M. Sgroi, M.D., Author - This beautiful, fully illustrated book is richly layered with meaning and a reminder that gifts lost or forgotten can be recovered. The author's gift is her assurance that healing is possible and that survivors can join in celebrating lives wholly lived.
G. A. Bixler, IP Book Review - In a brave, sensitive, and child-like fairy tale the author leads us through a childhood tainted by trauma and abuse ... the difficult journey of healing ... and an uplifting and inspiring recovery... the must read that you keep near every day!
Miriam Berkman, JD, MSW, Assistant Clinical Professor in Social Work, Yale University - The Colors Within vividly illustrates the profound and lasting impact that early childhood abuse can have on the developing child. It also demonstrates the remarkable potential for an abused child to transcend early experience and to reclaim a sense of self and hope for the future. This book is a testament to the power of positive relationships to promote healing and growth.
About the Author
Jana Adams was born in Chicago, Illinois and currently resides in Connecticut. She enjoys a successful career in the legal profession and also serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children who have been victims of abuse and/or neglect. She is also the proud mother of an adult daughter. | |
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