 |
Every child is born to learn and all children should learn, grow and develop to their full potential. That's the vision of Parents as Teachers, a parenting education and family support program for first-time parents of children in Sussex County.
Funded by Department of Education, PAT serves over 350 families throughout Sussex County. PAT provides services for all new families, with priority for families at risk: teen parents, single parents, families with low incomes, parents with less than high school degrees, and families with English as a second language.
A free voluntary program, PAT focuses on fostering strong, loving relationships between parents and their children. It provides parents with all the information, support and encouragement they need to help thier children develop durin those crucial first years:
- Home visits
- Annual health screenings
- "Stay and Play" groups
- Referrals to other community resources with home PAT has ongoing relationships.
|
|
At home visits, a parent educator provides information about a child's development, answers questions and encourages parent-child interactions through play.
"Stay and Play" groups foster interactions with other children and parents in PAT so that parents can support each other, learn about parenting issues, share concerns and socialize.
Working with local high school Wellness Centers, PAT also provides teen parenting classes. And the program offers specialized training and support in child development and family support for childcare providers to strength partnerships between the parents, childcare providers and young children who take part in early care and education programs.
Click here for office locations and contact information for PAT.
|
