What Do Brad Pitt's Mom and Allison Mahoney Have in Common? Reflections on a Home Visitation Training.

Allison Mahoney, Home Visitation Program Manager

I may not be a professional artist (and have been told not to quit my day job), but sometimes when you are on information overload, there is only one way to put it all together – and that is through good, old arts and crafts. 

 

Ramona Danielson (Program Evaluator) and Allison Mahoney (Program Manager)

 

I had the opportunity to attend a one-week, “Parents As Teachers 0-3” Home Visiting Model training in St. Louis MO. 

 

Parents as Teachers National Center in St. Louis

 

As an advocate and, more importantly, as a mother I cannot agree more with the following two sentiments:

 

·         Children do not come with directions.

·         No two children are the same.

 

It is these two key pieces of knowledge that drive my desire someday to offer every new mother and family the support of a trained home visitor to share family well-being, parenting behaviors, and child development, in ensuring children are able to reach their full potential.

 

Which brings me back to arts and crafts!

 

Infinite amounts of knowledge and information were provided on topic areas spanning this age group.  This picture is a way we, along with the help of co-trainees, could present our vision in one quick snapshot.

 

Along the path from the home to the lake are hurdles that at-risk families may have to overcome – finance, domestic violence, and crisis. With the support of their home visitor, families overcome these hurdles.

 

The reflection in the pond is a smiling parent and child. The words written in the pond are tools the home visitor is able to provide in strengthening the family – parental resilience, social connections, and more.

 

And behind them is a swing in a tree, because so much learning and brain development happens at this age through play both independently but also through parental interaction.

 

My biggest take away, one which I will continue to push myself on, is to reduce screen time, get off the I-pads and I-phones, and interact with your children!

 

Oh, and supporting and seeing the benefits trained home visitors provide is priceless! 

 

Not to mention Brad Pitt’s mother was a trained home visitor in Missouri for many years. J

 

 

Allison Mahoney is Program Manager for North Dakota's Home Visitation Project, which is funded by the federal (MIECHV) Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting project. She can be reached at 701.223.9052 or allisonm @ pcand.org.

Legislative Neophyte

Ronya Hoblit, Minot State University Social Work Intern

 

It was not as if it was my first visit to the capitol, so there was a decent level of familiarity walking into the front door. Prior to 2015 and my internship with PCAND, I had accompanied students from Sitting Bull College to events in the rotunda.  

 

But on Monday, January 12, my perspective was transformed. As I waited to meet my boss for the first time, I watched the people milling about in the lobby. It was clear that this was more than a regular meet and greet. The civility was that of human beings who knew that not everyone was an ally. But beyond that it was evident, as well, that anyone could ultimately be a helpmate in supporting one form or another of legislation passed. Visible civility is what it shall be deemed.

   

One of the other perks was when I happened upon a former colleague, a friend, a classmate, or a familiar name and face, in person. Suddenly, in the sea of dark suits, neutral colored ties, and sweaters would be an island filled with the gentle breeze and sunlight of amity.

 

I was alternately star struck, lost, ecstatic to be there, exhibiting false bravado, and verklempt (in a good way) at how life's choices had set me in this place, at this time, to be able to be the proponent of prevention (not just fixing the effects) of child abuse. I will let Albert Schweitzer sum it up for this neophyte:

 

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."

 

 

Ronya Hoblit's first day as our social work intern began at the North Dakota capitol. She's an asset to our work already. Welcome, Ronya!

2014: Change!

Karen Van Fossan, Communications Director 

What a year.  

The headlines from 2014 tell of a world – and state – in a time of much transition. From the Black Lives Matter campaign, to falling gas prices, to renewing relations with Cuba, to public outcry about family violence in the lives of sports idols, to the passage of an anti-trafficking code by Three Affiliated Tribes – 2014 brought dissent, debate, and change.  

With your attention and support, PCAND has participated in 2014’s spirit of action and change. We were sad to say good-bye to Tim Hathaway, who stepped down as our executive director, while we have been honored to welcome Sandy Tibke into this new role.  

As you know, that’s not all that happened for us in 2014! Thanks to many collaborators and friends, we… 

·       provided free, voluntary home visits for prenatal mothers and families of young children from Turtle Mountain, Spirit Lake, and Devils Lake. 

·       co-founded FUSE (a Force to end hUman Sexual Exploitation) and co-sponsored North Dakota’s first summit on sex trafficking. 

·       helped TEAM PCAND launch its youth running team, TEAM KAIZEN. 

·       expanded the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems project toward expansion of early childhood developmental screening and development of seamless systems of care for young children. 

·       gave Caring Community Awards to five caring communities in North Dakota. 

·       distributed the “Period of PURPLE Crying” DVD to families and hospitals around North Dakota. 

·       provided Care for Kids and Nurturing Healthy Sexual Development Workshops to educators and service providers. 

·       honored Child Abuse Prevention Month with creative, multi-generational projects in every region of North Dakota. 

·       co-hosted conferences for faith-based communities, the 3^rd Annual Home Visitation Conference, the Spirit Lake Children’s Services Symposium, and the Building Babies’ Brains Summit: Translating Developmental Science into Lifelong Health. 

·       co-created North Dakota’s 4-point Vision for North Dakota's Families, a public project to nurture families – and end child abuse and neglect in our state. 

 

As we enjoy the first (extremely cold!) days of 2015, we look forward to nourishing the roots of the good work begun over the past few years. With your support, we will continue to strive toward the vision of safety, nurture, and peace for 100% of North Dakota’s children.   

May 2015 bring you and your loved ones a healthy balance between stability and change!

Karen Van Fossan, PCAND's Communications Director, can be reached at karenvan @ pcand.org or 701.223.9052.