Parents As Teachers

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 Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a free and voluntary early learning program for parents with children birth to three years of age. The program provides family support including: parent education, child development, development screening, playgroups and service coordination to link families to other available services.

PAT Philosphy

Parents as Teachers, which originated in Missouri in 1981, is based on a philosophy that babies begin learning at birth and that parents are their children's first and most influential teachers. PAT can help you lay a strong foundation for your child's future success in school. PAT is designed to serve all parents-from single, teenage mothers to two-parent families, regardless of income.

Services:

As a PAT participant, you'll receive the following services:

  • Personalized home visits by a certified parent educator, specially trained in child development and eager to help you give your child a great start.
  • Group meetings with other parents, where you can share parenting experiences,gain new insights, and talk about topics that interest you, and play with your child.
  • Periodic screening to ensure that your child has no undetected learning,sensory (hearing or visual), or developmental problems.
  • A network of resources that can help you with special services you may want that are beyond the scope of PAT.
  • Referrals to Other Agencies.
Families may be served through Parents as Teachers for up to three years, or until referred to another program. When age eligible, referral is made to Michigan School Readiness, Head Start, Early Childhood Special Ed (ECSE) in public schools, or other tuition preschool or child care programs.

 Parents as Teachers Self or Agency Referrral Form PDF Document

For more information on Parents as Teachers check out www.parentsasteachers.org

or contact Kathy Peppin at 616-738-8940 Ext. 4019

The state headquarters for Parents as Teachers is Life Services System located in Holland.

 

Parents Educators:

Pat Buell, pbuell@oaisd.org
Pat has worked with Ottawa Area ISD families for six years doing Parent as Teachers home visits with children birth to three. Her prior experience was the Bright Beginnings program for six years in Kent ISD working with families birth to five.

Sarah Feaster, sfeaster@oaisd.org
Sarah received her Masters of Social Work degree from Indiana University.  Additionally, she has completed supplemental graduate work in the area of early childhood education.  She brings 16 years of experience in working with young children and their families.  Sarah has 3 children of her own and absolutely loves working with families, helping to encourage and celebrate their children’s successes!

Spanish Speaking Parent Educators:

Chuqui King, laking@oaisd.org
Chuqui King is bilingual and bicultural and has a B.S. in Education.  She has been a State of Michigan licensed social worker for over 30 years having recently retired from the Department of Social Services.  
 
Maricela Garza, mgarza@oaisd.org
Maricela has worked as a Bilingual Parent Educator for Parents as Teachers since 2004. She studied at Hope College with a major in Social Work and a Minor in Spanish.


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