For further information, please call us at: 845-344-1234
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.
Where can you find our programs?
Our collaboration with local, state and federal agencies allows us to offer programs to the general public at minimal or no cost – scholarships are available. We serve the entire county, and do our best to hold programs at 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 Fall ’09 and Winter ‘10
Programs for Parents and Caregivers - Fall & Winter 2009, A complete listing of our offerings for the season ahead.
Parenting and Family Life: A Professional’s Guide - learn about Cornell Cooperative Extension’s parenting and family life programs and resources, including how to host a program and free lending library.
Let’s Talk About… NEW Media Resources for educators, parents, caregivers and youth to help introduce and talk about important topics (Oct ’09 - Social Networking, Media Literacy; Nov ’09 – Cyberbullying)
Hudson Valley Regional Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP) general brochure – a listing of programs and services for grandparents and relatives raising children in Orange, Dutchess and Ulster Counties
Coffee and Conversation (RAPP) – fall ’09 flyer listing Orange County RAPP support groups at three locations – Middletown, Newburgh and Central Valley
RAPP Reporter - NEW quarterly newsletter for all grandparents and relative caregivers
Resource Guides and Teaching Materials
OC Parenting Education Directory – a free resource listing of OC parenting classes and services
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 Community Resources 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 NEW 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.
Parenting and Family Life Workshops – A complete listing of all parenting workshops that CCE-OC has to offer.
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:
“Discipline is Not a Dirty Word”: An experiential workshop series, designed to help parents explore and practice the seven principles of positive discipline. Topics of discussion include: why children act the way they do; providing reasonable choices; how to set realistic limits; natural and logical consequences; modeling appropriate behavior; and parent-child communication strategies.
“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.
“Bookstart”: This fun hands-on series is designed to introduce books and language activities to parents with young children (ages birth - 7). Through hands-on exploration, literacy activities and skills will be practiced, including: choosing and using books; making children’s books; the public library ; school readiness tips; and other activities to increase literacy skills and provide pleasure to “young and old” alike!
“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.
“Living With Your Teen: Enjoying and Surviving the Challenge”: Designed for parents of pre-teens and young teens, aged 9-14, this series will help explore the changing dynamics in families with teenagers and teach helpful skills for working through these transitional years. Topics include: Who is this stranger? ; Parent-teen communication; and Talking with teens about sensitive topics/Keeping teens safe.
“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 seven session workshop series, designed for parents AND children, ages 10 -14 years. This experiential program assists adults and children living in the same home to build upon their strengths, enhance
Our Parenting and Family Life Staff includes:
Denyse A. Variano, BA, RN, MPS: 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.
October 8, 2009