Circle of Parents coming to Louisiana!

PCA Louisiana, in partnership with the Louisiana Children's Trust Fund, trained approximately 20 people November 7, 8 and 9 to help recruit sites in our state for Circle of Parents, a program where parents meet weekly to share their concerns and gain support from each other.

Circle of Parents groups provide places for parents to build their own sense of competence and power. Parents do this by building relationships and connecting with other parents who share common experiences, successes and challenges.

Through weekly group meetings co-led by parents and professionals, participants:

• Gain a sense of belonging and relief as they learn that their family dynamics and their child's behavior are typical, and that the challenges a parent faces are neither unique to their family, nor insurmountable.
• Become resources to each other inside and outside of the group by sharing coping strategies and parenting skills from parents who have "been there."
• Advocate for themselves and other parents as they give and receive help while recognizing that seeking help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness.

The Circle of Parents program is a time-tested child abuse prevention model that promotes positive parenting. The groups are free, confidential and non-judgmental. The Circle of Parents model is the essence of shared leadership with families. Parents participate at the national, state and local levels and also lead the groups with the support of professional facilitators. Sites also provide a parallel children's program or quality child care at no cost.

For more information about Circle of Parents, to facilitate a Circle of Parents site in your community, or to request that a Circle of Parents group be formed in your community, please call (225) 925-9520 x211.

Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana, the state chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of abuse and neglect in all its forms. The organization is headquartered in Baton Rouge, with regional offices in Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, New Orleans, Lafayette and Lake Charles. In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, PCA Louisiana is offering a variety of aftermath services to help the families affected by these tragedies. To find out more about the programs and services PCA Louisiana offers, call KIDLINE at 1-800-CHILDREN (244-5373) or visit www.pcal.org.