Serving families with children ages 3-16, this 14-week community-based, culturally sensitive program helps parents develop stronger parenting skills and empowers them to be an effective advocate for their families. Specifically, the program provides guidance for parents to develop a better understanding of their children, new techniques to better nurture them and create stronger family bonds. Additional supportive services - including information and referrals needed to overcome any financial, emotional and educational needs they may have - are also available. Sessions offered year-round and are available to children with disabilities.
The Nurturing Parent Program engages the whole family in either group (for parents of children ages 5-11 or adolescents 12-18) or home-based settings (for parents of children aged birth to 5). The curriculum includes parent homework and family time activities that nurture empathy, strengthen attachment, foster effective communication, increase parental knowledge of child development and empower parents. The youngest children and their parents are given academic, familial and social guidance to prepare them for school, while older children share dinners with parents and hold separate group sessions to address topics like family dynamics, behavioral norms, anger management, effective communication and social responsibility before being reunited with parents to see what each has learned.
Year-round parenting education, advocacy training and family strengthening services for parents/caregivers of children ages birth to 18 who are at high risk of school failure or juvenile violence. The program helps parents raise high-achieving children by increasing parental involvement with children's education, and increasing parents' social supports and community involvement. The program is available at five locations countywide, although most enrolled parents will be from Miami Gardens, Opa-locka and Overtown.
Community-based early intervention education and services that promote early development for children ages birth to 5 who are blind or severely visually impaired (many with multiple developmental disabilities). The program helps families learn to develop and support age-appropriate cognitive skills, fine and gross motor skills, language skills, socialization, daily living and self-help skills for their children. Activities include assessments of each child, parent/caregiver training and support, and the development of an individualized intervention plan for participating families. The Blind Babies Program provides the activities, services, support, and resources to increase the level of parental involvement in their child's development while increasing developmental functioning of children with visual impairments.