Our mission is to empower parents to reach their full potential through support, education and a sense of community thereby reducing the incidence of child abuse and neglect. Our services enhance and strengthen the quality of family life and help parents to become the primary advocates for their
children.
Importance of Prevention
We believe services that only focus on a problem miss an opportunity to address the root causes that led to the problems in the first place. By investing in parent education we are investing in the welfare of our children, our services offer the hope for personal and social transformation. This is the key to reducing risks, enhancing protection and promoting positive outcomes in the family unit.
Overview of Services, Programs and Activities
Information & Referral Services: Every year we receive close to 2000 phone calls from parents and social service providers who are struggling to find resources and information about parenting. Staying connected with the community and other service providers is crucial to our success and we refer hundreds of calls from families to appropriate agencies per year.
Positive Parenting Series: This educational series consists of 20 hours of classroom instruction designed to facilitate an awareness of a parents' role and responsibilities. Our classes are taught by experienced educators who work with parents to expand on their knowledge of child development, age appropriate behavior, communication skills, and alternatives to physical discipline. We discuss how parenting styles are developed and emphasize the importance of their own self esteem and that of their children. We provide educational materials in the form of handouts, videos and reading assignments as well as information on local resources. A minimal fee is charged but community funded scholarships are available to families who need assistance. Classes are open to all parents, including foster, single, step, adoptive and non-traditional parents.
Just for Dad's is a 5 week parenting series for Fathers only~ taught by Bobby Dion a father and parent educator on the PRC team. Topics include Parenting Styles~ What kind of Dad do you want to be? Communication~ Are you speaking the same language as your children? Esteem building discipline techniques~ Positive approach to discipline! Stress management for today's dad. Through discussions, handouts videos and classroom exercises we help Dad's uncover their strengths and find new ways to enhance relationships with their children.
Parent Connection Groups: These free drop-in educational support groups provide opportunities for learning, sharing ideas and information. Parents are able to meet new people, learn new parenting skills, and find out about community resources as well as opportunities for problem-solving with other parents on issues we all face at one point or another. We include guest speakers for additional support and information. Quality child care is available for all children over 1 year. Children under 1 year may stay with their parent during group discussion. We do not offer childcare to children less than 1 year of age due to safety concerns. This program is funded by the United Way of York County.
Relatives as Parents Support Group: These educational support groups provide opportunities for learning, sharing ideas and information. Relatives that are raising dependent children are able to meet new people, learn new skills, and find out about community resources as well as opportunities for problem-solving with other relatives. This program is a pilot project supported by a mini grant from the Southern Maine Agency of Aging. Pre-registration is a must.
One-on-one Parent Education: Private parent education is offered to clients whether in home or in the family room located at our office. This service is individualized with specific client needs in mind and is usually part of a clients court ordered reunification plan. Our Parent Educators work with clients to define specific goals and issues and help parents develop
stronger, healthier relationships with their children.
PRC's Wish List of Needed Items, Services & More
What can a $15 donation offer: 150 educational handouts available to parents.
38 packets of material mailed to parents.
1 parenting notebook for parent education
1 hour of parent education in our
Positive Parenting Series or Just for Dads program
1 hour of facilitation at a parenting workshop.
Parent education and support is priceless.
MUST HAVES/Always use: 1 in notebooks business size envelopes
white copy paper postage stamps
8 ½ x 11 colored paper Styrofoam cups
plastic spoons coffee and creamer
goldfish crackers animal crackers
bottled water
Like to haves: Parenting videos Parenting books
"NEW" children's books Hats/mittens for children
New toys for children Diapers all sizes
Diaper wipes Diaper rash ointment
Staples coupons/Gift Cards Wal-Mart Gift Card
Hannaford Gift Card Shaw's Gift Card
Borders Coupons/gift card
NEW Like to haves: Laser printer Laptop with Microsoft XP Writable CDS
Flat screen monitors (used would be okay)
We will accept YOUR empty returnable cans or bottles and or YOUR empty
printer cartridges!
