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:
        This program is for parents who are separating or divorcing, looking at the experience from the perspective of the children.  PARENTS APART grew from a collaboration of the judicial, legal, mental health, human service, education and mediation communities.  The two 3 1/2-hour sessions, offer parents information on: stages of divorce and separation for parents and children; what parents can do to help their children adjust; tools for parenting apart; skills for listening to children; tips on common parental pitfalls; the legal process-custody, visitation and child support; the mediation process; and local resources.

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Active Parenting Now is a four-session parenting program for parents with children ages 5-12.   The program takes place on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon 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
                Participants receive the Active Parenting Now Parent Guidebook and various handouts.  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. To register contact 585-394-3977 x 409 (Lynn Geer) or x 425 (Mary Beth Anderson).

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Active Parenting of Teens: This is 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.

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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.

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Parenting Skills Workshop Series #60, September - October 2008-For Parents with children up to age 12: Tuesday evenings--from 6:30 - 8:30 pm (with break). September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and October 7, 14 & 21, 2008.. Reunion: October 21. The program will be held at the Geneva General Child Care Center, 196 North Street (behind the hospital, turn onto Mason Street), Geneva, NY.  Parenting is hard work but there are some basic skills you can learn that can make it easier. During this eight week program, you can learn five (5) skills that will help you deal more effectively with difficult parent/child situations. ENCOURAGEMENT, CAN-DO, CHOICES, SELF CONTROL AND RESPECTING FEELINGS.will be taught by trained facilitators. Active participation and practice in class and at home are expected. Refreshments will be provided and door prizes will be given each evening. Bottles and diapers for infants must be provided by parents.  Child care will be available for children 8 weeks up to age 12. Youth 13 and older will meet with a separate facilitator for small group discussion. Gas vouchers are available but you must request on the back of the form by the deadline date. You may indicate transportation/child care needs on the registration form. This program is free and offered to Ontario County parents working with the Ontario County Department of Social Services, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Other Ontario County resident registrations will be accepted if space permits.  Note: Parents must attend six of the first seven sessions to receive a Certificate of Completion. For complete registration information call 585-394-3977 Ext. 425 or 409.

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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.

Please Join Us: Brown Bag RAPP (Relative As Parents Program)
A new initiative in 2008 of the Second Time Around Parents to meet the needs of relative caregivers. Meets Monthly - 2nd (Second) Thursday. Noon to 1:00 pm at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Center, in the lower level Training Room, 480 North Main Street, Canandaigua. Bring your own lunch, beverages provided. Questions??-Contact Charlotte Stanton, Chairperson of the STAP Group, 585-394-6829 or Isabelle Doran Jensen, 585-394-3977 x 408.

All are welcome! Call for specific details and topics.
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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