NURTURING THE FAMILIES
OF LOUISIANA
NURTURING PARENTING PROJECT
Service-Learning Project funded by:
Community Partners






Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana
Office of Community Services
ETC, Inc. (non-profit)
BeauCare (non-profit)
Private Practice Social Worker
CPSB Educator
Need

Many families are required by the court to
complete a quality parenting program and few
programs exist in the five-parish area.
Project

Conduct a parenting program for families who are
in the child welfare system.
 Nurturing
Parenting Curriculum (Family Development
Resources)
 Evidence-based
 16-week program
 Involved the entire family
 Parent
classes
 Children’s program
 Foster parent classes
 Family time
Academic Courses




Family and Community Relationships
Parenting
Family Relations
Character Development
Academic Objectives for Family and
Community Partnerships Course



Demonstrate sensitivity to differences in family
structures and social and cultural backgrounds.
Link families with a range of family-oriented
services based on identified resources, priorities,
and concerns.
Communicate effectively with other professionals
concerned with children and with agencies in the
larger community to support children’s development,
learning, and well-being.
Academic Objectives for Family and
Community Partnerships Course


Demonstrate an understanding of conditions of
children, families, and professionals; current issues
and trends; legal issues; and legislation and other
public policies affecting children, families, and
programs for young children and the early
childhood profession.
Establish and maintain positive, collaborative
relationships with colleagues, other professionals
and families, and work effectively as a member of
a team.
Academic Objectives for Family and
Community Partnerships Course


Identify techniques for communicating with parents.
Apply family systems theory, knowledge of the
dynamics, roles, and relationships within families
and communities.
Preparation

Orientation by Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana
Southwest Regional Director
 Students


sign a confidentiality statement.
Nurturing Parenting Facilitator Training for students
and staff by Dr. Stephen Bavolek, Author of the
Nurturing Parenting Programs
(nurturingparenting.org)
Research – Students research child abuse and
prevention and write a term paper.
Preparation

Program directors became national trainers for the
Nurturing Parenting Programs. Nurturing Parenting
Programs are used throughout Louisiana by Office
of Community Services.
Implementation

Students facilitated:
 Parenting
Classes
 Children’s Program
 Family Time
 Foster Parenting Classes

Staff and students debriefed after sessions
 Share
observations and insights
 Identify and discuss concerns
 Identify successes
Reflection

Individual reflective papers
Describe what happened in the service experience, including
what was accomplished, some of the events that puzzled or
confused you, interactions you had, decisions you made, and
plans you developed.
 Analyze how the course content relates to the service
experience, including key concepts that can be used to
understand events and guide future behavior.
 Apply the course materials and the service experience to
you and your personal life, including your goals, values,
attitudes, beliefs, perspectives, and philosophy. (Some
students became community partners.)

Reflection


Class Discussion
Blackboard Discussion – problems and possible
solutions concerning child abuse and prevention
Celebration


Certificate of Participation
Reception