Parenting The Second Time Around workshop for relative caregivers begins in July
NEWBURGH Generally grandparents are able to spoil and visit with their grandchildren, not have to parent them on a daily basis. However, the numbers of grandparents or other relative caregivers raising their related children has increased 18 percent in the last decade.
This is due to a variety of issues ranging from substance abuse to military deployment.
Although there are similarities, a lot has changed since many grandparents or related caregivers raised their children the first time. Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, through its Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP), is offering the national award-winning series, Parenting the Second Time Around (PASTA) this summer.
PASTA will help relative caregivers understand the changing roles and responsibilities, childrens development and behavior, how to live together as teens and grandparents and teen challenges. In addition, topics on rebuilding a family, legal concerns and advocating for yourself and your relative child will be provided by outside presenters.
A teen leadership institute will be offered to select teens to develop important life and leadership skills at the same time as the PASTA series. Teens will work together to improve their natural talents and decision making abilities. A variety of guest speakers will offer practical advice concerning college goals (Dr. Larry Force) and advocating for yourself (Toni Nekvapil from Office for the Aging).
Youth 12 and under will take part in the public library Summer Reading program entitled Dream Big: READ!
Essential information This eight-session series will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays on July 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31 and Aug. 2, 2012 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Mount Saint Mary College, 330 Powell Ave., Newburgh.
This series is offered at no charge, as it is grant funded by state Office of Children and Family Services, Orange County Youth Bureau (OCFS) and Mount Saint Mary College Center on Aging and Policy.
Preregistration is required; to register or for more information contact RAPP coordinator, Brenda Reynolds at 845-344-1234 or br23@cornell.edu.