| 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 | |
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| CHAPTER HIGHLIGHT | |
Mary Weaver, Western Minnesota Program Coordinator
One of the newest Circle of ParentsŪ groups is the Morris Area Circle of Parents, located in Stevens County. The group, which started in April, has been fortunate to have steady attendance with both parents and children.
"We are a close group," says facilitator Nicole Frank. "Everyone is willing to help one another, even outside of group."
Some of the ways the group stays in touch is through the phone and email. Frank feels keeping the lines of communication open are an integral part of the Circle of Parents success.
The Morris Area Circle of Parents meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 530 to 7pm. A meal is served to kick start the evening at 530 pm at the Morris Child Care Center. "Usually we get the kids settled with their meals and move on to the meetings," Frank notes. (read more) |
| FACILITATOR TIP | |
Barb Sorum, Director of Family Support Services Becoming a Parent Leader
Identifying Strengths
It is important to help parent leaders see their strengths and appreciate their value both to themselves and to the group. Reminding them frequently of their progress is also helpful. Eliciting positive feedback on parent leaders' growth from group members can be very meaningful, especially when related also to the growth of the groups' skills. (read more) |
| CHILDREN'S PROGRAM TIP | |
Sue Thomes, Southwestern Program Coordinator
Group Routines and Welcoming Activities
Whether you are establishing a new group, coming back together after summer break, or welcoming new children to your groups, it is always good to review your practices on occasion. Some areas to keep in mind:
- Do you offer consistency in your routines/schedules?
- Do children know what to expect each week?
- Are rules of the group child friendly and reviewed regularly?
Children will adjust to your group setting more easily if the general structure is consistent and expectations are clear and developmentally appropriate. (read more)
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| OUTREACH TIP | |
Alice O. Lynch, Metro Program Coordinator
Parents Helping Parents of Crookston's Circle of ParentsŪ created a flyer (see here) that has tear off tabs at the bottom with the address of their group location and the contact person's phone number. This is a great way to give interested parents something they can actually take off the poster and put in their pocket for later. If you would like us to design a similar poster for your group, just send an email with the information to our communications coordinator, Priscilla Bennett, at pbennett@pcamn.org. |
| MOVIE OF THE MONTH | |
 Joan Johnson, Northeast Program Coordinator
Ramona and Beezus
This movie is a gentle and adorable story about family life based on the popular books by Beverly Cleary. It's a heartwarming story about a 10 year old girl, her 14 year old sister, and their parents as they experience the ups and downs of family life. Ramona gives us some incite into the thoughts of a 10 year old and how they go about solving problems as they perceive them. The movie also gives us solid parenting techniques as we see the parents dealing with the stress of providing for and protecting their family. The parents are resilient and understanding of their situation as it affects their children. This is an old fashioned movie that seems to depict the true values of what it takes to have a healthy family. There are plenty of light moments that will make you laugh and a few that will bring a tear. This is a movie that ALL can enjoy.
Protective Factors displayed in the movie:
1. Parental resilience
2. Knowledge of parenting and child development
3. Concrete support
4. Social and emotional competence of children |
| WHAT FAMILIES NEED | | The Five Protective Factors
These Protective Factors are the foundation of the Strengthening Families approach. Extensive research supports the common-sense notion that when these Protective Factors are present and robust in a family, the likelihood of child abuse and neglect diminish.
1. Parental resilience. Recognizing the signs of stress and enhancing problem-solving skills can help parents continue to have courage during and after a crisis.
2. Social connections. Parents with family, friends, and neighbors to depend on have better support in times of need.
3. Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development. Parents learn what to look for at each age and how to help their children reach their full potential within their own cultural identity.
4. Concrete supports for parents. Caregivers with access to financial, housing, and other concrete resources and services that help them meet their basic needs can better attend to their role as parents.
5. Children's social and emotional development. A child's ability to interact positively with others and communicate his or her emotions effectively helps parents be more responsive to their needs. |
| WEB LINK OF THE MONTH | | | National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI): a non-profit organization that is getting to the root of the issues facing communities by educating and engaging dads. Today, one out of every three children goes to bed each night without their biological father in the home. Ensuring that more children grow up with involved, responsible, and committed fathers is the best way to ensure that every child has a happy and secure childhood. www.fatherhood.org |
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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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