About Self-Help Parent
Serving: Leslie, Knott, Letcher and Perry Counties
The LKLP Parent's Self-Help Project is an ongoing program for parents who are in need of learning more and better parenting skills. Court ordered referrals and DCBS referrals are accepted, but parents can attend without being referred.
Parents will learn about building their own self-esteem as well as the self-esteem of their children. They will also learn new discipline and behavior management techniques. They are encouraged to contribute to class discussions to express their opinions and needs.
Substance abuse isn't the only cause for child abuse and neglect, but it has multiplied the problems in our immediate and surrounding counties. Neglect is becoming more of a problem than abuse. Parents referred with substance abuse problems are required to complete a substance abuse recovery program in addition to parenting classes in order to regain custody of their children.
Educating parents on potential childcare problems, before they arise, is very important in the prevention of abuse and neglect. For example, many new parents have no idea of what a great responsibility everyday care of an infant can be. Information on problems such as shaken baby syndrome is very crucial, since the damage cannot usually be reversed.
During the next year, the goal of the Self-Help Parenting Program is to:
- Concentrate more on prevention of child abuse and neglect by educating parents through parenting workshops and classes.
- Help parents that have abused their children learn non-abusive behavior and better parenting skills.
- Distribute prevention of child abuse and neglect materials to more agencies that generally have contact with parents.
Our goal is to serve at least 1500 parents during the 2008-2009 program year.
Self-Help Parent Program Philosophy
The program's philosophy is built around the premise that parenting is a learned behavior, and that old, undesirable patterns of interactions can be replaced with new and more desirable ones.
Self-Help Parent Classes
|
Day/Time
|
Location
|
County
|
|
Thursdays
10:00 a.m.
|
Leslie County Outreach Office
|
Leslie
|
|
Mondays
10:00 a.m.
|
Knott County Outreach Office
|
Knott
|
|
Tuesdays
10:00 a.m.
|
Perry County Outreach Office
|
Perry
|
|
Fridays
10:00 a.m.
|
Letcher County Outreach Office
|
Letcher
|
For more information please contact us.
Self-Help Parent Program Highlights
This has been a very busy year in the Self Help Parent Education Program. I have worked with 1450 duplicated clients. The majority of these clients have regained custody of their children and turned their lives around.
Parenting classes are directed at prevention and cessation of child abuse and neglect. Practically all of my clients have been court ordered to attend, but anyone wishing to attend can do so.
I present clients with information on what constitutes abuse and neglect to educate them better about these problems. This is information they may not receive anywhere else, such as:
-
The effects of emotional and physical abuse and neglect.
-
Methods of non-abusive discipline.
-
How to build children’s self- esteem.
-
Behavior management.
-
Developmental stages of children.
-
Communication skills.
-
Stress management.
-
The importance of structure and routine in children’s lives.
Another important part of the parenting program is the support parents give each other. Many of these parents are isolated and have no family or friends to discuss childcare problems with. This can lead to frustration and escalate the problems they are having into child abuse. Many parents have stated that they enjoy the support they receive from other parents in the group. Everyone is encouraged to participate in activities and discussions. They are encouraged to work on their problems at home, using skills they learn in class, and report back on their successes and failures.
Clients also receive information on other services in their communities, especially LKLP services. I make referrals to other agencies when appropriate.
Supervisors and other staff in the four LKLP county offices have been very professional and always make client feel welcome when they come in for parenting classes. This makes clients feel very comfortable and has greatly contributed to the success of the program and is greatly appreciated.
Edit Mullins
Self-Help Director
Self-Help Parent Contact Information
Edith Mullins
Program Director
e.mullins@lklp.net
Toll-Free: 1-800-633-7651
Local: (606) 439-1362
Office Location:
Perry County JobSight Office Complex
14 Logan Drive
Jeff, KY 41751
Old Dilce Combs High School
Office Hours :
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM