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First step in bringing about change is caring.
Marian Wright Edelman
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Parent Services Project :: Stronger Together
Stronger Together
Overview
Stronger Together is a nationally field-tested, transformational curriculum developed by the Parent Services Project. The training is designed to
build the capacity of teaching staff to support the well being of young families. Using PSP's Stronger Together curriculum, participants, as practitioner
leaders, will be engaged in changing the way they and their programs relate and offer supports to families. The curriculum was developed with the recognition
that parents play the most important role in providing the nurturing and stimulation that children require to thrive. Stronger Together is focused on developing
strong relationships between early childcare providers and parents, understanding that the family is the constant in the child's life.
How is Stronger Together implemented?
Working with trainers, and with peer support, the participants learn to create caring communities for the families and children they serve. Stronger
Together provides a unique format, which combines training, leadership development, and actual application of skills and knowledge. Caregivers receive training
handouts and descriptions of activities that can be shared with colleagues and parent groups. Participants are supported by their colleagues and by their
families to put learning into practice, resulting in direct impact on families and children in the child development setting. On site coaching is incorporated to insure the integrity between theory and practise.
What are the core elements of the curriculum?
The Stronger Together curriculum includes key content, which is directly related to ensuring the healthy emotional development of children and promoting family
engagement. The following units are contained within the curriculum:
- The Promise of Family Support
- Family-Centered Practice
- Building Relationships
- Family Involvement
- Promoting Strong Families
- Affirming Diversity
- Making Change Together
Why is Stronger Together an essential training for early childhood professionals?
Dramatic shifts show that increasing numbers of children are being cared for in out-of-home settings. With children in non-parental childcare at younger and
younger ages for more and more hours, parents need a new kind of information and support. The child development program can realize its potential in delivering
this support. The message to parents of their importance as first teachers and advocates must be embraced by the people who care for their children and must become
an undeniable truth in the culture of our communities.
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Caregivers, who see the family members on a daily basis, must promote this message and interact in ways that support capacities of families to
be connected to their children and to one another. This project increases access to the some of the tools and strategies, which care givers, can use.
For example, while a wide body of knowledge exists about parenting, parents need opportunities to talk with other parents and process the information they get.
Family-centered childcare programs offer informal opportunities for parents to build relationships with one another, sharing informational, appraisal, emotional
and social support so essential to all families. Additionally, families and staff often decide they want more formal sessions on a particular subject, or a
parenting series, as a direct result of joint decision-making and relationship building.
Is Stronger Together effective in the early childhood field?
The Stronger Together curriculum has had positive and deep-felt results in shifting the attitudes and practices of child care providers as they share in the day-to-day
lives of very young families. In field tests of the curriculum in four states, 95% of all participants have rated the Stronger Together experience as excellent and
100% of all caregivers would recommend Stronger Together to their colleagues.
How can I get a copy of the curriculum, or arrange training for my site?
Call the Parent Services Project at 415-454-1870 or contact us through our online form for more information.
Trainings can be customized for particular site needs.
However, participation in this intensive training is a major commitment that an individual and that a child development program can make. The provision of
stipends is recommended to enable and encourage practitioners to participate in the Stronger Together training. The stipends are released to the participating sites
and may be utilized to cover substitute teacher payments or as funds for family activities. Ensuring community college credit for each participant creates a further
incentive.
Engaging Families and Promoting Leadership. Parent Services Project (PSP) has worked with North Carolina, Florida and Georgia SPARK
initiatives to deliver our Stronger Together family support training.... read more . SPARKS final report .
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