Parenting SIG Continues to Grow

Entering it fifth year of existence, the Parenting SIG has continued to expand its membership and the services it provides.

As a result of participants signing-up for the Parenting SIG email list at the 2008 CEA Annual Conference in Denver, membership has grown to 146 Parenting SIG members from 27 states. We also gained our first international member --- from the Republic of South Africa.

The Parenting membership remains broad in its scope --- including correctional educators, other staff, and volunteers who are involved in teaching Parenting classes, facilitating Fathers'/Mothers' Support Groups, supervising Parent/Child Book Projects, coordinating Parent Fairs, or promoting positive parenting skills in some other way.

Primary to the group’s mission is promoting communication among Parenting educators. The Parenting SIG has published its 23rd issue of the bi-monthly Parenting Connections newsletter. Circulation of each issue has reached approximately 275 correctional educators and administrators. The Parenting SIG’s Guide to Successful Parenting Programs in Corrections has continued to be updated. It now contains the outlines of 54 programs from 5 states. Information continues to be posted on the Parenting SIG Discussion Forum. As of July 31, the 17 postings have been viewed 4301 times.

Since its birth, the Parenting SIG sought to spread the word regarding the importance of providing Parenting programming. The Parenting SIG has encouraged Parenting instructors to conduct over a dozen workshops on their programs at CEA, education, and correctional conferences. This year, three workshops related to Parenting topics were presented at the 2008 Region III & IV CEA Conference, two were presented at the 2008 CEA-Wisconsin State Conference schedule, and three were offered at the 2008 CEA Annual Conference.

On March 3, 2008, a one-day “Effective Black Parenting” seminar sponsored by CEA-Wisconsin and the Parenting SIG was held in Brookfield WI. It was attended by 22 educators.

Parenting SIG members continue to be the most valuable resource for other Parenting SIG members. Members eagerly provide advice on developing Parenting programs upon request.

Anyone who would like more information on these initiatives or would like to become a member of the Parenting SIG may email jerrybednarowski@new.rr.com. You are also welcome to contribute an article on your Parenting program for the Parenting Connections newsletter or submit an outline of your program for inclusion in the Guide to Successful Parenting Programs in Corrections.