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.