Supporting the development of professionals and programs that help parents.

Why this issue?

Parents and Caregivers are the most important influence in the life of a child. Research has shown that parenting style, parental health and well-being and parental engagment significantly influence their children's health outcomes.

The Parenting Task Force envisions a community that accepts, respects and supports all parents and caregivers in this vital role, through quality parenting education and support.

What’s being done?

The Parenting Task Force has 3 areas of focus:

1) Leadership:

• Raise awareness of the importance of parenting and the need for parenting education
• Encourage parents to seek out learning opportunities to build their parenting skills
• Advocate for the quality parenting education programs and resources

2) Coordination:

• Providing a central sector-level contact for policy makers, funders and researchers
• Increasing awareness and taking action on social trends and research

3) Networking:

• Providing a forum for focused discussion and action for the parenting education sector

What change will our work bring?

With a focus on education, advocacy and research, the Parenting Task Force will affect policy, systems and practice change by shifting programs and community support.  Outcomes include:

• Professional practices, policies and systems related to parenting education will be evidence-informed
• Quality programs and resources will be available and accessible for all parents/caregivers
• Parents will be aware of and access available resources
• Parenting education sector will be a contributing partner to the research, evaluation and quality improvement of parenting education and programming in our community

Links

Council for Early Childhood Development (ECD), Early Years 2 Study: http://www.councilecd.ca/cecd/home.nsf/pages/EYS2.html 

Calgary Health Region - 3 Cheers: http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/programs/3cheers/index.htm

For more information, contact Amber Forest at 403.231.2610

When kids thrive, we all do.