| GROUPS |
Click here for a current list of groups in Minnesota. |
| 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
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
Director of Family Support Services
606 East 5th Street
Albert Lea, MN 56007
507-377-7665
bsorum@pcamn.org
Southwest Regional Office
Susan Thomes Southwest Program Coordinator PO Box 202 Silver Lake, MN 55381 218-308-1311 Western Regional Office
Mary Weaver
Western Program Coordinator
32662 Birchwood Shore Drive
Underwood, MN 56586
218-770-1385
mweaver@pcamn.org |
| OUR MISSION | |
The mission of Minnesota's 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 | |
Joan Johnson, Northeast Program Coordinator
 The Brainerd Chapter of Circle of ParentsŪ would like to invite you to our 14th annual family retreat. The retreat will be held at Bay Lake Camp on beautiful Bay Lake near Deerwood, Minnesota the weekend of August 21st and 22nd. This wonderful camp offers dorm-style cabins and rooms for four in the lodge, or you may bring your own tent if you prefer to sleep in the great outdoors. Learn more and register here. |
| FACILITATOR TIP | |
Barb Sorum, Director of Family Support Services
Circle of ParentsŪ Confidentiality Reminders
One of Circle of ParentsŪ non-negotiable quality assurance guidelines remains that information shared by and among Circle of ParentsŪ group members remains confidential, within the group, and within the limits of state/local law. Confidentiality guidelines are also outlined in the national Circle of ParentsŪ facilitator manual and during facilitation skills training sessions (required for all Circle of ParentsŪ parent group facilitators). Confidentiality can easily be discussed during each meeting while briefly covering your group's guidelines.
Anonymity
It is the prerogative of all Circle of ParentsŪ group members to remain anonymous, both during and after group involvement. Whether or not members choose to reveal their full identity, it is necessary to respect the right of all members to remain anonymous. Each group member has the right to expect that everything that is said in the context of the group meeting will be regarded as confidential and no one who attends a group has the right to reveal what has been said in the group. (read more here)
Reporting
When it becomes clear that a child's welfare is at stake because of maltreatment, then the rules regarding confidentiality and anonymity do not apply. Ideally and if possible, the decision to report the maltreatment to child protective services is made by the group with the parent present. (read more here)
Sample Agreement
A sample confidentiality agreement statement is shown on page four here if you choose to use one with your group members. |
| CHILDREN'S PROGRAM TIP | |
Sue Thomes, Southwest Program Coordinator
Some children's groups have fully furnished childcare rooms to meet in, while others are limited in scope, and the Children's Program Leader may even have to carry materials back and forth to each meeting. For those short on space and available materials or those wanting some new materials, I am sharing some of my favorite make-it-yourself activities. These will be especially helpful if you are carting your materials to and from meetings or packing up and storing them each week. MEMORY GAMES are easily made by placing inexpensive stickers (or picture cutouts) on one side of juice can lids, making as many pairs as you like. You could also use larger plastic lids for young toddlers (with larger stickers/pictures), or squares of card stock for older children. To play, place pieces face down on a flat surface and try to find pairs. For younger children, the pieces can be face up, as they are just learning to discriminate differences. (read more here) |
| OUTREACH TIP | |
 Mary Weaver, Western Program Coordinator
Gala For Girls: Girls Rock
Recently, there has been a lot of media and research about the importance of fathers and adult male role models in children's lives. This buzz, along with the very successful 2009 "Gala for Girls: An Evening on the Red Carpet" event, helped in the creation of the second annual "Gala for Girls: Girls Rock". The event was held on Friday, January 29th at the National Guard Armory in Crookston. This star-studded event included over 200 participants - girls in grades K-6 and their dad, uncle, grandpa, or other adult male role model. The couple enjoyed a souvenir photo, a sit-down dinner, a flower and special gift, and an evening of dancing to create memories that will last a lifetime. The event was sponsored by the Polk County Child Abuse Prevention Council/Parents Helping Parents along with many community volunteers. (see more photos here) |
| BOOK OF THE MONTH | |
 Barb Sorum, Director of Family Support Services
The Council of Dads by Bruce Feiler
A moving, illuminating new work from New York Times bestselling author Bruce Feiler that touches on life and death, love and fatherhood, and offers inspiration for us all. Bruce Feiler was a young father when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2008. He instantly worried what his death might mean for his daughters. "Would they wonder who I was? Would they wonder what I thought? Would they lack for my approval, my discipline, my voice?" Three days later he came up with a stirring idea of how he might give them that voice. He would reach out to six men, from all the passages in his life, and asked them to be present through the passages in his daughters' lives. And he would call this group of men, "The Council of Dads." "I believe my daughters will have plenty of opportunities in their lives," he wrote to these men. "They'll have loving families. They'll have welcoming homes. They'll have each other. But they may not have me. They may not have their dad. Will you help be their dad?" (read more here) |
| WEB LINK OF THE MONTH | |
Priscilla Bennett, Communications Coordinator Protective Factors: Dads as Assets for Child Safety. The newest two-page InfoSheet, "The Protector", from Minnesota Fathers & Families Network (MFFN) addresses ways to engage men as assets for child safety and well-being. Based on the Protective Factors promoted by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, this handout helps professionals think of ways to talk with men about their role in creating safe environments for families and children. You can find it here: www.mnfathers.org/infosheetProtectiveFactors.pdf |
| PARTICIPANT'S TESTIMONIAL | |
Parent Group Participant
I believe the Circle of ParentsŪ support group has helped me with my children. I can see what I have learned has helped with the way they react to me and my parenting. I am not being disrespectful to my children and try to respect them more. They react to this a lot better. I don't belittle them anymore either and try to let little things not upset me as much. My children enjoy coming to the children's program session. They look forward to being with the other kids and having fun with the leaders. And the price is right! This has all been reassuring to me, to share with other parents as well as hearing what they have to share with me. I appreciate it all very much. Thank you Circle of ParentsŪ! |
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