Visit our Relatives As Parents Program (RAPP) web page!
Boston Bombings and Children. Children are sometimes overlooked as we talk about tragedy and violent events. If you're at all in doubt about what to say to young people about the event at the Boston Marathon, you will find some good tips at the EDEN (Extension Disaster Educator Network) website. In addition, please be quite careful about letting young children watch or listen to the news, especially if you are not there to respond to their concerns and questions.
Marriage Advice Project featured on WAMC's Midday Magazine (click to listen) The Cornell Marriage Advice Project is a program sponsored by the Cornell University Institute for Translational Research on Aging. If you are aged 65 or older and are interested in being interviewed about your advice on committed relationships and marriage, please call Extension at 344-1234 to learn more. Listen now for more information! Click here for brochure.
Programs for Parents & Caregivers Winter/Spring 2013. Complete listing of programs offered for winter/spring of this year. Workshops include: Bookstart, Discipline is Not a Dirty Word, Surviving the Teen Years (and enjoying them too!), Healthy Children/Healthy, They're Back! (Or They Never Left), Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP).
Helping Children Cope with Tragedies and Natural Disasters
Support Group for Family Members of Youth Who Self-Injure, This group is designed for families and friends who need assistance coping with their loved one or child who injures themselves. Meets the second Monday of the month, 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Temple Sinai, 75 Highland Ave. Middletown.
Parenting and Family Life
Parenting and Family Life Children don’t come with directions, yet no formal structure exists to help individuals with the challenging job of caring for children. As part of the Family and Consumer Sciences Department of CCE-OC, we are committed to helping families succeed by providing current research based educational programs and resources to parents and those who care for children. .
The goal of the Parenting and Family Life program is to help others: 
• Gain an understanding of human development through the lifespan
• Increase confidence in their roles as parents and caregivers
• Improve communication skills within the family
• Decrease feelings of isolation
• Enhance parent/child/family interaction
• Enjoy their children and family members
• Learn new practical skills to help with everyday caregiving issues
Why is our program special?
Due to our relationship with Cornell University, we provide the most current research based information and resources to address cutting edge parenting and family life issues. Our collaboration with local, state and federal agencies allows us to bring these programs to the general public at minimal or no cost – scholarships are available. Our Consumer Helpline * is available to help answer questions or make referrals.
various locations and times throughout the year. If you would like to attend or sponsor a program and need further information, please click on the “buttons” below, or feel free to contact us at 845-344-1234.
Educational Resources and Programs for 2013
Living Well with Family and Consumer Sciences - learn about Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Family and Consumer Sciences programs and resources, including how to host a program and free lending library.
Let's Talk About... Online Media Resources for educators, parents, caregivers and youth to help introduce and talk about important topics (Social Networking, Media Literacy; Cyberbullying, Life after High School)
Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP) general brochure – a listing of programs and services for grandparents and relatives raising children in Orange County.
RAPP Reporter - Quarterly newsletter for all grandparents and relative caregivers
Resource Guides and Teaching Materials
2013 - 1214 - Orange County Parenting Education Directory A listing of agencies and programs throughout the county.
Parent Pages – 100 topics of interest to parents, caregivers and those who work with children (click here for a list of topics, and access to all “parent pages”.
Value in Parenting – Series of newsletters designed for parents and caregivers of children birth through 10 years. Many topics are also available in Spanish. (Note: No new issues are being produced at this time; most content is still up to date.)
Teen Parenting Packet – A community resource packet designed for teens who are pregnant or parenting - call for a free copy.
Promoting Best Practices – twenty-two student lessons to help explore the issue of parenting, designed for use in the classroom setting (click to view and download the material)
Toy and Product Safety – information and links to sites with helpful ideas for individuals concerned about recent recalls
RAPP Resource Guide for Caregivers – a local guide to services for grandparents and relatives raising children
RAPP Community Resources for Children With Disabilities – a local guide to services for children with special needs.
Parenting the Second Time Around (PASTA) – a revised edition (eight workshops) of the national award winning curriculum for educators working with grandparent and relative caregivers.
Additional Programs and Services:
Consumer Helpline – Educators to help you answer your basic parenting and family life questions and concerns, including referral to local parenting programs and free or low cost resources. Call us at 845-344-1234, M – F, 8:30 – 4:30.
Orange County Parenting Coalition - A group of parents, caregivers, educators and agency representatives who meet quarterly to discuss common concerns and develop new community strategies for parenting education programs and resources. Join NOW!
Parenting and Family Life Workshops
Because children don’t come with directions AND sometimes being a parent isn’t easy, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County offers family life/parenting education workshops and professional trainings to help individuals develop and practice the skills helpful for positive parenting. These programs are designed for anyone who is involved in raising and working with children. For more information, and to inquire about hosting a local series, please contact us at 845-344-1234.
Parenting and Family Life Workshop Series are available on a wide range of current parenting issues, including:
Bookstart: School readiness begins long before kindergarten! In this fun, hands-on series, grandparents, caregivers and parents of very young children will explore current information about school success and practice activities to help them meet their children's early literacy needs. Topics include: reading and language activities to do with young children, choosing and using books, making children's books, knowing your public library, and school readiness tips.
Discipline is Not a Dirty Word For Parents & Caregivers of Children 2-12 Years Most parents/caregivers agree that getting their children to behave is both important AND difficult. This program series will help adults learn and practice seven basic principles of positive and persuasive discipline. Topics will include: understanding children's behavior; effective communication and conflict resolution; setting realistic limits and developing healthy family relationships.
Healthy Children / Healthy Families (for parents of children 3 -11 years of age) - This fun, interactive eight week series helps parents and caregivers learn how to make healthy habits happen within their family by combining nutrition, physical activity and positive parenting practices.
They're Back! (Or They Never Left) NEW! This practical and enjoyable
series will assist parents
and caregivers who have
adult children in the home,
either because they have returned
or never left! Topics will include "house
rules," division of responsibility, respectful
communication and financial issues. $30 fee.
Parenting in a Media Age: Many parents are concerned about their children’s screen viewing, but don’t know what to do about it. This series includes strategies to manage TV, children as a “media market,” the effects of media violence, and suggestions about safe internet and other media usage.
Raising Responsible Children: This interactive series explores practical approaches to help family members work with and enjoy their children. Topics include: ages and stages of development, family relationships, coping strategies, environmental considerations, and principles for effective communication, discipline and limit setting.
Stepping Stones for School Success This series is designed to assist parents of toddlers and preschoolers understand and help develop the skills important for school “success.” This workshop includes interactive early literacy and numeracy activities, discussions about appropriate media usage and an exploration of the importance of play..
What Do You Do With the Mad That You Feel? For Parents & Caregivers of
Children 2-8 Years. Learn practical ways to help children identify and manage their feelings and develop self control. This series will provide practical strategies to help adults raise responsible children and address anger and bullying issues. $30 fee.
Surviving the Teen Years…and enjoying them too! For Parents & Caregivers of Children 10-15 Years. This series designed for parents/caregivers of pre-teens and teens, will explore the changing family dynamics and teach skills to help adults enjoy these transitional years. Topics include: Who is this Stranger?,
Parent-Teen Communication, Talking with Teens about Sensitive Topics, and Keeping Teens Safe. $40 fee.
Parenting the Second Time Around: An eight session program designed for grandparents and other relative caregivers who are in a parenting role. Come share and learn about: Changing roles and responsibilities; understanding children’s development and behavior; discipline that really works; rebuilding a family; legal issues; living with teens, and advocating for yourself and your relative children.
Strengthening Families. A parenting program for
adults and youth together! This fun, unique program assists adults
and their children (ages 10-13 years) to build upon their strengths, enhance relationships and communication skills and learn how to work through critical teen issues together. This program includes childcare for children ages 3 to 9 years of age, and a light family meal.
Our Parenting and Family Life Staff includes:
Denyse A. Variano, BA, RN, MPS: Issue Leader, Senior Extension Resource Educator
Brenda Reynolds, BS: Community Educator – Relatives as Parents Program Coordinator
Sandra McIntosh, BS: Program Educator II, Family and Consumer Sciences Program Assistant
Suzan Sussmann, BS: – Community Educator - Parenting Education Coordinator
Linda Coleman – Program Educator, Relatives as Parents Program Youth Coordinator
Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. Please contact our office if you have any special needs.
May 14, 2013