ORDER NO. 18494 MOTION TO APPLY TO CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND OF TEXAS FOR A $70,000.0@ GRANT, AS PROPOSED, TO BE CO-SPONSORED WITH EXTENSION HOMEMAKERS COUNCIL OF KERR COUNTY On this the 24th day of February 1989, upon motion made by Commissioner Morgan, seconded by Commissioner Holekamp, with Commissioner's Morgan, Holekamp and Ray and County Judge Edwards voting "AYE", and Commissioner Baldwin "ABSTAINING", said motion to apply to the Children's Trust Fund of Texas for a $70,000.00 grant, as proposed, to be co-sponsored with the Extension Homemakers Council of Kerr County passed by a majority vote. Kerr County / Exten~~on Homemaker Council of Kerr Cc anty oO `.J ~ W lMJ 4~1 ° V ~ ~ CN Through implementation of this program, the participants will adopt systematic parenting skills, gain knowledge of the development and growth of their children, and learn of the available resources in the community. Single parents will gain the skill in order to better handle the stress involved in raising children in today's society. The program will be conducted by two administrators with experience in the fields of parenting education, child development, group dynamics and organization. Parenting skills will be taught in a series of parenting classes and informational newsletters. Through the networking of local agencies and organizations, a Parenting Task Force will be developed to refer parents, to the parenting classes, develop a resource reference list and to inform the community on the need for parenting education and child abuse prevention. This program will make a difference in the community by making a comprehensive effort to reduce the instance of child abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, and delinquency. As a result of this program, our children will have the chance to mature in a healthier, happier atmosphere into productive members of our society. Kerr County / Exten„on Homemaker Council of Kerr County Page 1 G°~G°30oCc~G°~a[t~l ~IaG~G°~Q~~~/~ A. PROBLEM DEFINITION (5 pts} There is widespread child abuse, which may involve physical, emotional and mental abuse. These children develop negative behavior resulting in school drop-out, drug and alcohol abuse, juvenile delinquency and even suicide. Factors contributing to this problem are caused by an increased number of single parents who lack extended family support, have low educational attainment and are financially stressed. Additionally, contributing factors are complacency of the courts, law enforcement, schools and other agencies. All of the above problems can be minimized through systematic, clearly defined, simplistic parenting skills training. B. TARGET POPULATION (10 pts) The four rural counties to be served are Kerr, Kimble, Mason and Menard with a total of 6,143 families with children (1980 census). Kerr is the trade and medical center for the other three counties. Characteristics of the target population are single parents (33 o single heads of household with children under age 18) With IOW Ir1COme (31 ~ of the families with children live below the poverty level). The criterion for selection will be through linkage and referrals from schools, judges and health or social agencies. These parents will have had contact with these community resources because of financial or health assistance oY because their children are at- risk for problems at school or with the law. The estimated number to be served will be 230 in a series of parenting skills classes and 600 through educational newsletters. Kerr County / Extension Homemaker Council of Kerr County Page 2 C. E>~IISTING SERVICES/NEEDS (5 pts) In the four county area there are N O parenting skills education efforts, except for minimal programs in Kerr County by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. None of the schools have full-time at-risk coordinators, Head Start or programs to assist with parenting skills. The only service offered is one-on-one conference for parents when a child is already in trouble. There is no networking with community resources to serve as a referral system to proposed parenting classes. Three of the counties have no formal or informal means for any judicial, social or educational agencies to network in order to encourage cooperation in any area. These four counties have a much greater need for parenting education than they are aware of; and how it will have a preventative effect on child abuse. D. GOALS and OBJECTIVES (15 pts) GOAL 1: Single parents in Kerr, Kimble, Mason and Menard counties will gain the necessary skills, and knowledge of effective parenting techniques and participate in support groups to reinforce the use of parenting skills to help them develop healthy children that can mature into responsible, productive citizens in our society. OBJECTIVE A: 250 New and about-to-be parents will gain information to produce healthier babies with proper pre/postnatal care and gain information to develop safer and healthier environments to reduce stress associated with child abuse, age 0-3, thru a series of 12 monthly newsletters. 20 % of the parents of newborns participate in a series of six week, 2-hour classes on pre/postnatal care. Kerr County / Extension Homemaker Council of Kerr Cour3ty Page 3 O BJECTIVE B : 180 parents of children ages 3-17 will gain information through a series of ten week, 2-hour classes, for improving parenting skills which can reduce the numbers of children at-risk for abuse and neglect. 50% of 40 parents sampled will report adopting 5 or more parenting practices gained through attending the series of parenting classes. OBJECTIVE C: 50% of all parents reached in parenting classes will be single heads of household with income below poverty level. GOAL 2: To Link child service agencies and organizations in communities to reduce child abuse and neglect through referral and education of single parents living below the poverty level. OBJECTIVE A: A total of 36 Judges, school personnel and other agencies be represented on four respective county Parenting Task Forces that meet quarterly. OBJECTIVE B: Parenting Task Force members make referrals of parents at-risk to appropriate parent educational class series. OBJECTIVE C: Fifty percent (50%) of referrals will complete a minimum of six, 2-hour classes or a maximum of ten, 2-hour classes. GOAL 3: Establish community-based support groups to reinforce positive parenting skills. OBJECTIVE A: 25% of the parents completing the series of parenting classes utilize a weekly parenting support system for at least three additional months. OBJECTIVE B: Develop and disseminate a parenting resource reference list for each of the four counties. Kerr County / Extension Homemaker Council of Kerr County Page 4 OBJECTIVE C: Provide manned office and telephone availability for referrals and parent information in the County Extension offices in each of the four counties. GOAL 4: The general public will become more aware and better informed about the ramifications of child abuse, and educational opportunities and community resources available.for single parents. OBJECTIVE A: 24 public information programs on parenting education opportunities be given annually in the target population areas. OBJECTIVE B: A series of 6 weekly parenting news articles in 5 local newspapers followed by monthly articles thereafter. OBJECTIVE C : 12 Public Service Announcements dealing with parenting and child abuse prevention to be aired once per month on 2 local radio stations. E. PROGRAM METHODOLOGY (30 pts) 1. SER~:'ICE SETTING: All parenting classes will be held in local communities nearest the target audience neighborhood. Free child care will be provided in the same facility when possible. Classrooms will have uninterrupted privacy and an atmosphere of sharing, an interplay of group dynamics, role playing opportunities and a feeling of camaraderie. Classes will be held to a maximum of 12. 2. PHASES of PROGRAM DELIVERY and IMPLEMENTATION: (a) Develop a Parenting Task Force by making contacts in each local community with groups that deal with children and/or parents. It will meet quarterly in each County. Personal contacts will be made with, but not limited to the following: County, District, Municipal and Justice of Peace Judges; public and private schoo- counselors, principals, nurses and homemaking teachers; ministers and priests; physicians and health Kerr County / Extension Homemaker Council of Kerr County Page 5 professionals; Department of Human Services; Early Childhood Intervention; law enforcement officials; County Extension Agents; child day care providers; Hill Country Crisis Council; and WIC (Women, Infants and Children program leader). (b) Contact 5 local newspapers to run a series of 6 parenting educational columns and one per month thereafter. Contact 3 local radio stations to run a Public Service Announcement on parenting each month. Contact County Extension offices, courthouse officials, or hospital administrators to arrange to arrange for meeting facilities. Contact day care centers for child care services. Recruit, interview and train volunteers. Contact local organizations such as, parentlteacher groups, civic clubs, etc. to give informational programs on child abuse awareness and parenting education opportunities and resources. (c) Make personal contacts to Parenting Task Force members and assist them in developing a plan of referral for parents to attend appropriate parenting education classes. 1. Two levels of parenting classes for parents of children age 3-10 and 11-17. Classes are for 10 weeks duration to be held weekly for 2 hours. The teaching material to be used will be Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) and STEP/Teen (authors - Dinkmey and McKay).. 2. Pre and postnatal classes will consist of a series of 6 weekly, 2- hour classes for parents and about-to-be parents with children ages 0-3. All identified mothers-to-be in the four counties will receive monthly educational newsletters during the child's first year and quarterly newsletters until the child's 3rd birthday. These newsletters will be geared toward educating parents on the growth and behavioral patterns which can be expected and guidelines for appropriate parenting. Kerr County / Extension Homemaker Council of Kerr County Page 6 (d) Organize and implement a minimum of four Parents Anonymous support groups for graduates of STEP and STEP/Teen parenting classes that will meet weekly for a minimum of 3 months. Development and dissemination of a resources reference list of parenting and family life services in each of the four counties. (e) Conduct a formal written evaluation at the conclusion of each series of parenting classes. Make home visits to 10% of the class participants to conduct an informal evaluation. 3. KEY INDIVIDUALS: Program Administrator A: Organize and implement Parenting Task Force in Kerr County; teach 8 STEP and 8 STEP/Teen in all four counties. Recruit and train volunteers to teach 10 STEP and 8 STEP/Teen; organize and implement Parents Anonymous in four counties; written evaluation and home visits of STEP and STEP/Teen participants; quarterly and annual reports to Children's Trust Fund, Kerr County and Extension Homemaker Clubs of Kerr County. Program Administrator B: Organize and implement Parenting Task Forces in Kimble, Mason and Menard counties; teach 5 pre/postnatal class series in four counties; recruit and train volunteers to teach 5 pre/postnatal classes; monthly newsletters on pre/postnatal preventive health and parenting to all mothers of children 0-12 months and quarterly newsletters to parents of children age 1-3 years in all four counties; series of news articles on parenting to local newspapers in four counties; monthly public service announcements on parenting in four counties; written evaluation and home visits of pre/postnatal classes; quarterly and annual reports to appropriate groups. Kerr County / Extension Homemaker Council of Kerr County Page 7 Clerical Set up and organize office and supplies; type and mail monthly pre/postnatal newsletters, type and collate pre/postnatal resource and teaching manuals; resource reference lists for four counties; receive enrollment and schedule classes, and contact participants; support staff with needed typing, copying, mailings, evaluations, publicity, etc. Reviews and directs phone referrals and gives pertinent information. 4. EXPECTATIONS of PARTICIPANTS and STAFFNOLUNTEERS~ Roles and Responsibilities of Participants - enroll and participate in at least 75% of the parenting class series; pay $10 per single parent (or couple) for teaching materials, workbook and framed certificate of completion; participate in evaluation process; practice and report on at least one parenting skill tried following each weekly class; understand a practical theory of human behavior and its implications for parent-child relationships; create a safe, healthy atmosphere for their child's growth and development; learn new procedures for establishing democratic relationships with their children; develop skills of listening, resolving conflicts and exploring alternatives with their children; improve communications between parents and children so all concerned feel they have been heard; learn how to use encouragement and logical consequences; learn how to conduct family meetings; become aware of their self-defeating patterns and faulty convictions which keep them from being effective parents who enjoy their children; develop rewarding relationships with their children and help them become more cooperative, contributing members of the family. Roles and Responsibilities of Staff - Network community resources for referrals to classes through Parenting Task Forces; facilitate parenting classes; recruit and train volunteers to facilitate classes; be cutr.on~u's irlusT euun - eons R-~ooo E'Y90 TIh1E LIhlL~ ['lease reproduce this page as needed. ' Grant Feriod: 9/1/89-8/]1/90 Contract ~: N/A List the specific action steps to be completed In implementing the proposed plan. Indicate with "S" the starting date of each slap and with "X" the anticipated completion date. ACTION 5'PEPS SEP 89 OCT 89 hIOV 89 DEC 89 JAN 90 FEB 90 h1AR 90 APR 90 h1AY 90 JUU 90 JU[, 90 AUG 90 Set up contact offices in 4 Counties with clerical help in one X Contacts to community resources for Parenting Task Farce S - - X Quarterly meetings of Parenting Task Force X X X X Cuutact mass media for news columns and public service announcements 5- --- --- --- --- --- --- -- -- -- -- -X Arrange for meeting facalities and child care for parenting classes S - - X S - -X Recruit, interview and train volunteers S - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -X Informational programs to community organizations S - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -X Plan for parenting referrals to classes by Task Force X X Series of weekly parenting classes S - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -X Pionthly prefpostnatal parenting newsletters S - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -. - - - - - - -X Organize and implement Parents A~lnonymous S - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -X Develope and Deseminate Resource Reference List S - - - - - - - - - - - -X Develope and conduct formal evaluations following parenting class series S - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -X An meal formal evaluation X home visits for formal evaluation X Quarterly reports of program progress and.particip ~tion X X X X Original plus six copies Kerr County / Extension Homemaker Council of Kerr County Page 8 able to obtain measurable results of participants as targeted in objectives; participate in professional improvement in the area of child abuse prevention and parenting; be visible in the community as a leader in the field of parenting education; promote an attitude of community pride, cooperation and support between existing child and parent service groups. Roles and Responsibilities of Volunteers -Since the volunteer will be serving in the capacity of the staff facilitator their roles, responsibilities and expectations will be largely the same as the staff. 5. EMOTIONAL COMPONENT: The perception is that single parents entering the proposed program will exhibit feeling of loss of control, denial, frustration, helplessness, inadequacy and guilt The single mother-to-be will additionally experience excitement, stress, anticipation of the unknown, bewilderment, embarrassment, fear and revenge. The staff and volunteers response to participant's feelings will be an attitude of nonjudgement, compassion and encouragement. The staff and volunteers will create an atmosphere of democratic respect, building to a mutual trust. After participating in the program, single parents will feel a seise of hope, improved self-esteem and better control of their lives. Through instruction, sharing and practice they will develop insight, judgement and will feel responsible for their own actions. They also will be aware of community resources. F. EVALUATION (10 pts) At completion of each series of parenting classes all participants will be required to complete a written questionnaire reporting their adoption of new parenting practices. Home visit interviews will be made Kerr County / Extension Homemaker Council of Kerr County Page 9 with 10% c. the contact participants for informal evaluations regarding adoption of new parenting practices. A formal written questionnaire will be mailed annually to a 30% sample of the program participants to report parenting practice changes and parenting support services used after participation in the program. Program Administrator A will be primarily responsible for development and implementation of the evaluation process. Quarterly reports of program progress and participation will be submitted to the Children's Trust Fund and the Extension Homemakers Council. Administrative staff will conduct a formal written evaluation of volunteers at the conclusion of each parenting series. A formal written semi-annual evaluation of administrative staff will be conducted by the Kerr County Extension Homemaker Advisor. G. ORGRNIZRTIONRL MANAGEMENT and BHCKGROUND (15 pts) Both Program Administrators and all volunteers will be required to have college degrees and have a caring, compassionate attitude and group dynamic skills. All staff and volunteers will be recognized community leaders and familiar with local family demographics and key resource people. Staff will be self-starters and willing to follow proposed program outlines with enthusiasm, commitment and the desire to help families. Both staff administrators have experience in organizing and facilitating group classes; recruiting and training volunteers; and are parents themselves. Likewise they have supervised staff and have experience in evaluating and reporting. Staff will need no additional training as they have a complete understanding of the proposed program. Kerr County / Extension Homemaker Council of Kerr County Page 10 Both staff and volunteers will be willing to work the hours necessary to get the job accomplished at a high level of success. Program Administrator A: Edwin L. Hall, PhD, 817 Washington St., Kerrville, Tx 78028. Age 64. McMurray College, BS-Education; Southern Methodist University, Law School; Perkins School of Theology, MST; Cambridge University, England, Research Fellow; West Texas State University, MS; Texas Tech University, PhD-Psychology. 22 years as Clinical Psychologist at Kerrville State Hospital. 3~ /2 year s Administrator of Kerrville State Hospital Outreach Center. Retired, 1987. 14 years Special Educational Cluster as Consultant Clinical Psychologist. Program Administrator B: Nancy C. Bean, 1610 Main St., Junction, Tx 76849. Age 29. University of Texas, BBA-Management. 3 years banking and finance experience, in Menard County. Currently Kerr County Youth Coordinator. Professional improvement seminars on Youth At-Risk and Texas Collaboration for Youth. 20 hour Clerical Support: Barbara Kuehl, 311 Booster St., Center Point, Tx 78010. Age 41. High School graduate; 3 years at University of Nebraska. IBM computer training courses. Typing speed: 75-80 wpm. Operate IBM personal computer, Compact, Dictaphone, calculator, and all copiers on current market. Public ~ relations/receptionist to the public, knowledge of community resources, and perform required clerical duties in a timely manner. The applicant organization, Extension Homemakers Council of Kerr County, represents 350 local club members and is part of a state-wide non-profit educational organization that is in almost every county in Texas. The main focus of these homemakers is to strengthen Texas families by providing family iife education and support. Kerr County / Extension Homemaker Council of Kerr County Page 11 The Kerr County Extension Homemakers Advisor reports monthly to Kerr County Commissioners Court on the programs and projects of the eight county clubs represented on the 22 member council. Kerr County Commissioners Court contributes toward the salary of the advisor and gives financial support for the Extension Homemakers in the form teaching materials and advisor office facilities. The Kerr County Extension Homemaker Advisor is a college graduate in home economics education and has 22 years of experience in planning, implementing and evaluating educational programs to improve family life. Financial management will be under the direction of the Kerr County Extension Homemaker Advisor through the Kerr County Commissioners Court. Kerr County Commissioners Court is committed to the matching funds for the Texas Children's Trust Fund for three years and the support of the proposed program following the grant expiration. H. BUDGET JUSTIFICATION (10 pts) The two full-time Program Administrators will be professionals with college degrees. The base salary of $20,000 per year is comparable to other local educators and administrators with their level of experience. All school systems in the four county area pay only base salaries. Around trip to all four county seats exceeds 250 miles which justifies the $2,200 annual travel per administrator. Both staff will travel all four counties. The half-time (2o hours per week} clerical support staff's salary of $6,000 per year is comparable to starting salaries for city and county employees. Total teaching cost per targeted families (830) will be $85.00 based on the $70,000 grant. Average contact teaching time will be 20 hours per family resulting in a cost of $4.~5/teaching hour.