As an AmeriCorps Parent Educator, you will be trained to provide two evidence-based Nurturing Parenting Programs®: “Nurturing Skills for Families” and “Spanish-Speaking Parents and Their Children Ages 4-12”. You will recruit families to participate in the program, either by following up on direct referrals made by community partners or through family engagement activities in the community. You will provide the NPP program either individually or in groups, depending on community need. As a Parent Educator, you will work as part of a team with other NBSF AmeriCorps members to plan and implement Parent Cafes and Parent-Child Activities that are designed to strengthen social connections among families. Parent Cafes are evidence-based, small-group structured discussions that enable parents to explore strengths, learn about the protective factors, and create strategies from their own wisdom and experiences to help strengthen their families.
Service Activities
• Recruit families to participate in the Nurturing Parenting Program® by following up on referrals from community agencies and engaging in direct recruitment at host agency and other community sites.
• Assess parents’ level of Protective Factors using the validated Protective Factors Survey (PFS).
• Work as part of a two-person Parent Educator team to provide NPP in either a group or home-based setting, depending on need.
• Conduct AAPI-2.0 (Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory) with parent/caregiver at intake and after parent has completed at least 8 hours of NPP curriculum.
• Make referrals to other community partners, as needed, to address families’ needs.
• Work in teams with other NBSF AmeriCorps members to strategize and provide a monthly Parent Cafe in community sites.
• Work in teams to research, plan and provide biweekly parent-child activities for New Bedford families. These may include family literacy activities, playgroups, or other methods to engage families and build connections.
• Participate in National Days of Service as required by the Massachusetts Service Alliance and UWGNB.
Specialized training and certifications: AmeriCorps Parent Educators will gain specialized training and credentials including a 3-day training on the philosophy of Nurturing Parenting Programs® and how to implement and facilitate NPPs; One-day training on the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework and how to implement Parent Cafés; One-day training on facilitating children’s groups as part of NPPs; Two-day training on Nurturing Skills for Families, One-day training on Implementing Nurturing Programs to Spanish-Speaking Families, and a half-day Training on using the AAPI assessment. These credentials are assets in future employment.
Community Need Addressed
The United Way of Greater New Bedford mobilizes people, partnerships, and resources to strengthen the community. The New Bedford Strengthening Families AmeriCorps Program is led by UWGNB, in collaboration with eight community-based organizations, to prevent child abuse and neglect. A team of 15 AmeriCorps members (7 Parent Educators and 8 Resources Specialists) will work with families of children under age 18 to build parenting skills and provide concrete supports in times of need. The NBSF AmeriCorps program uses the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework that centers on five interrelated family protective factors that are known to be associated with child abuse and neglect prevention. These protective factors are knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete supports in times of need, social connections, social and emotional competence of children, and parental resilience.
Position Outcomes
AmeriCorps Parent Educators will make an important contribution to the well-being of children and families in New Bedford. Families that participate in the evidence-based Nurturing Parenting Program® offered by the Parent Educators will improve their parenting skills and thereby reduce their risk for child abuse and neglect. Members will also provide a range of parent-child activities and Parent Cafes designed to build and strengthen supportive social connections among participating families.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance
Education Benefits
College Degree, GED/High School Diploma, Credential or Certification
Nurturing Parenting Programs
Skills you will gain
public speaking, motivational interviewing, curriculum delivery
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines
Planning
Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment