Pennsylvania diocese launches parent education program

With Kate Quiñones

CNA Staff, 16 November 2024 / 06:00

The Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, launched a parent education program this fall designed to provide support and resources to local families.

“Parents as Teachers” program offers support, resources and training to parents raising young children. This includes home visits from educators, workshops on parenting and other educational resources, according to the diocese. The program, which began serving its first group of nine families in September, celebrated a big kickoff event on November 9.

Dagmar Frias Montolio, program officer, told CNA that the diocese launched the program “in response to the growing recognition of the need to support parents as their children’s first and most effective teachers.”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that parents “have the primary responsibility for the education of their children” and encourages parents to educate their children in virtue (number 2223). However parental mental health While stress levels have increased over the past decade, they remain low, suggesting parents need more support. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy stated that parental stress is a public health problem. advice this summer.

Montolio explained: “The initiative was likely inspired by several factors: the difficulties many families face in raising children under changing social pressures, the desire to strengthen family ties, and the Church’s mission to promote moral and educational development within society.”

“The program focuses on early childhood education, aiming to equip parents with information and resources that will support their child’s development from birth through the primary school years,” Montolio continued.

Program personalized It suits the needs of every family and includes a minimum one-year commitment. It focuses on marking developmental milestones and early literacy, as well as parenting strategies.

There are currently six caseworkers participating in the program. Caseworkers visit once or twice a month, depending on the child’s needs.

When asked where the program was needed, Montolio cited socioeconomic issues.

“There is a particular need in Luzerne County for programs that strengthen parenting skills and support family stability, especially for families facing economic hardship or without access to early childhood education resources,” she explained.

About 15% of the population in Luzerne County. It is thought to be living in poverty.

“Socioeconomic issues, such as poverty and parents’ low education levels, are also reflected in our current truancy rates and the ongoing educational challenges children face,” Montolio continued. “We want to help break the intergenerational cycles and barriers that so many of our families struggle with.”

Every family can benefit from the program and there is no income requirement.

Montolio noted that the program is not directly faith-based, but has its roots in Catholic teaching.

“Although not a faith-based program, ‘Parents as Teachers’ aligns with the vision and mission of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton: To bring dignity to families,” he said.

“Catholic social teaching emphasizes the importance of dignity, solidarity and compassion; “All values ​​that are integral to the ‘Parents as Teachers’ approach,” Montolio explained.

(Story continues below)

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

Catholic social teachingDrawing on the tradition of papal, council, and episcopal documents, this document highlights various themes and priorities for Catholics in society, including “the life and dignity of the human person,” “solidarity,” and “the call to family, community, and participation.” .”

“The program draws on Catholic teachings that outline the family as the cornerstone of society and the role of the Church in nurturing strong, faith-filled communities,” Montolio said.

Kate Quiñones is a staff writer at Catholic News Agency and a member of College Fix. He has been published by the Wall Street Journal, Denver Catholic Register and CatholicVote, and graduated from Hillsdale College. She lives in Colorado with her husband.