Parenting and Family Education programs provide resources for parents and families in SW Washington and for parent and family life educators in Washington State and beyond.

Parenting and Family Education Programs for parents and families include:

• Workshops on a variety of topics can be scheduled by calling Drew Betz, CFLE, Regional Specialist in Parenting, at 360-786-5445, x 7920. Some likely topics include Positive Parenting, Talking about Spanking, Talking about Feelings, Brain Development, Balancing Work and Family, Understanding Temperament and Individual Differences
• Family Night Out Programs are one to three sessions long. Local schools sponsor a series of experiential activities that build on family strengths, enhance communication and problem solving, and are delivered in a playful setting. Trained facilitators conduct the activities. Schools and other groups sponsor the evenings and offer a meal as part of the event. Contact David Koestler, 360-786-0851 or Drew Betz for more information about Family Night Out.
• Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 Years is a nationally recognized curriculum that has proven results in preventing youth substance abuse and increasing positive parenting and youth behaviors. A 7 week class series is held in Thurston County each year in cooperation with Educational Service District 113 and local schools.

Programs that train Professionals in Parent and Family Life Education and Child Care are:

• 4-H Portable Challenge Facilitator Training (3 days). 4-H Portable Challenge is the basis of the Family Night Out Program. We train facilitators in the to conduct activities using the Portable Ropes Courses and we conduct advanced training (1 day) in how to apply the methodology with family groups.
• We also conduct briefer trainings in conducting Family Night Out Programs. Participants will be have fewer options available for working with families than those who participate in the previously described training series. A Family Night Out video and manual will be available in the near future.
• Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 Years. Drew Betz is available to conduct facilitator training workshops for those interested in offering their own Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 series.
• Let’s Talk About Spanking workshops for parent educators and child care professionals who want to have research based information and practical tools for addressing the spanking issue with parents and other caregivers.

The WSU Parenting Web Site has wonderful resources for parents, caregivers, and parent educators. Check out the resource section soon!

Other Parenting and Family Education Website Links

• Parenting Team Webpage
• Strengthening Families Page