Parenting Programs

Children don't come with directions, but no formal structure exists to help train individuals for the challenging job of caring for children. Because raising a child to be safe and healthy in today's world is of concern to our entire community, Extension parenting programs reach out to parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers and youth.

Cornell Cooperative Extension's building individual and family strengths focuses on promoting positive relationships between parents and other caregivers and their children. Information and classes are available on discipline strategies, ages and stages of child development, managing conflict, increasing effective parenting skills and other topics related to supporting families.

Parenting Classes
Cornell Cooperative Extension offers an ongoing series of Parenting Classes for parents with children ranging from birth to adolescence. Parents who participate in these classes learn about child development, nutrition for healthy growth and development, communication techniques and positive discipline strategies among other topics.

Parents Apart® Helping Children Cope With Separation & Divorce
Active Parenting Now
Active Parenting of Teens
Active Parenting Today
Parenting Skills Workshop Series
Relatives as Parents/Second Time Around Parents

Parents Apart® Helping Children Cope With Separation & Divorce: Parents Apart® Helping Children Cope With Separation & Divorce is a two week, 2 hour and 30 minute evening program for parents who are separating or divorcing. The program looks at the experience from the perspective of the children. Information such as: what parents can do to help their children adjust, skills for listening, tools for parenting apart; tips on common pitfalls; the legal process-custody, visitation and child support; mediation process and local resources is provided during the course of the program. The program is led by a trained facilitator and utilizes videos, lectures and printed materials. The next class is November 19 and December 3, 2005, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. The cost is $40/person (50% reimbursement for Blue Choice/Blue Choice Select. 100% reimbursement for Blue Choice Option members. Please enclose a copy of insurance card and full payment. Rebates will be given upon successful completion of the class (you must attend both sessions). Preferred Care members can use their Health Dollars, go to the Preferred Care website for full details www.preferredcare.org and click on Health Dollars).

To register contact 585-394-3977 x 409 (Lynn Geer) or x 425 (Mary Beth Anderson).

Active Parenting Now: A four-session parenting program for parents with children ages 5-12.   The program will take place on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon beginning January 27 and continuing on February 3, 10 and 17, 2007 at the Cooperative Extension Center, 480 North Main Street, Canandaigua.  The fee is $45 per person or $50 per couple.  A limited number of scholarships are available.  In addition, a 100% reimbursement is available for Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Blue Choice Option subscribers upon successful completion of the program.  Preferred Care members can use their Health Dollars Program form available at www.preferredcare.org
                The fee includes the Active Parenting Now Parent Guidebook, various handouts, and a one year subscription to the Caring For Kids newsletter.  Active Parenting is a video-based, open discussion program designed to help parents and others develop skills to relate effectively with children aged 5-12 years.  Come and learn: 

• Why reward and punishment often backfire with today's children. 
• How your own thoughts, feelings and behavior often pay off your child for misbehaving.
• Proven methods of discipline that not only work, but teach your child responsibility at the same time.  •The three keys to self-esteem and how you and your child can use them to survive and thrive. 
• Communication skills that win cooperation. 
• Why courage is one of the most important gifts a parent can give a child.
• The secret to having your child's respect.
• How to use your own parenting energy more efficiently!

Please call Cornell Cooperative Extension in Ontario County at 585-394-3977, Extension 409 or 425 for registration information, questions or to have your name placed on the mailing list for future programs.  The registration deadline is January 15, 2007. To register contact 585-394-3977 x 409 (Lynn Geer) or x 425 (Mary Beth Anderson).

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Active Parenting of Teens: A six week, 2 hour and 15 minute evening program that provides parents with the skills they need to communicate effectively with their teens, encourage better behavior, use positive discipline techniques and teach responsibility. Each session also helps parents learn how to address sensitive issues such as drugs, sexuality and violence that are vital to today's teens. The course consists of video vignettes, group discussion led by a trained facilitator and a Parent's Guide. The cost is $45/$50 a couple (Blue Choice/Preferred Care rebate applies).

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Active Parenting Today: Active Parenting Today is a five week, 2 hour and 15 minute, program that provides parents with the skills needed to develop cooperation, responsibility, courage and self-esteem in their children. They also learn positive discipline techniques so they can avoid power struggles. The program emphasizes non-violent discipline, improved parent-child communication and other ways to establish a healthy open relationship. The program consists of video vignettes, group discussion led by a trained facilitator and a Parent's Guide. The cost is $45/$50 couple, which is 50% reimbursed by Blue Choice or Preferred Care if subscribers attend 75% of the program.

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Parenting Skills Workshop Series: Parenting Skills Workshop Series is an eight week, 2 hour evening program offered free to Ontario County families. This program is designed for families having extreme difficulty parenting their children. Parents learn five skills (Encouragement, Can-Do, Choices, Self-Control, & Respecting Feelings) that will help them deal more effectively with difficult parent-child situations. The sessions offer active participation through group discussions and role play situations led by a trained facilitator. Four eight-week series are offered through the year: two for families with children up to age 12 and two for families with pre-teen and teenagers up to age 18. During the teen session, a facilitator meets separately with the teen group. On-site child supervision and transportation are available to eligible participants. Funding is provided through the Ontario County Youth Bureau and the Department of Social Services.

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Relative As Parents Program/Second Time Around Parents: Relative As Parents Program/Second Time Around Parents links grandparents and relatives by providing: Education and Training to families; mutual peer support groups access to appropriate community agencies and youth development activities. All this is available in a setting of mutual respect.

Coffee and Conversation: An on-going educational and mutual support program for grandparents and relatives who are providing primary care for children. Monthly meetings and seasonal activities are available.

Third Tuesday of each month
6:30 pm to 8 pm
Cornell Cooperative Extension Center
480 North Main Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424

All are welcome! Call for specific details and topics. Below is a copy of the Second Time Around Parents general information brochure:
Program participants say:
"I found I'm not alone with what's going on in my family life."
"Every bit of the information has been useful, legal information especially!"
"I now have the knowledge to help my grandson and myself."

Parenting the Second Time Around designed as parenting "re-education" for grandparents and relatives who find themselves parenting again! Basic parenting information is combined with topics specific to relative caregivers, including child development; discipline and guidance; ambivalent feelings; rebuilding a family; legal issues and advocacy. (6 sessions)
Contact: Isabelle Doran Jensen

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