Program Founder & Director: Jaleen C. Flippen Parent Educator: Louis Strachan Community Resource Coordinator: Jermaine Bullock Executive Director: Richard Chapman A program for parents provided by Juvenile Justice Center of Philadelphia since 1997 Natural Parents Many children enter the Department of Human Services system neglected and/or abused by natural parents who lack appropriate parenting skills. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of training programs which address this issue. The Parents In Training Program's goal is to fill that void by providing a supportive group environment and useful information so that biological mothers and fathers can become successful parents. Helping parents to build self-esteem and a positive outlook is a focus of the program. The parenting sessions are held two hours per week and include videos, lectures, group discussions and individual conferences. This program focuses on equipping natural parents with knowledge and skills related to child development, healthy nutritional patterns, good health and hygiene practices, identifying forms of child abuse, proper disciplinary techniques, child safety issues, life skills, interaction with various systems such as DHS, educational and welfare, and many other subjects related to child rearing and child/parent relationships. Bi-monthly individual meetings and post graduation follow-up reports are used to track and document each parent's progression during and following the program. The program has a Community Resource Coordinator who keeps in contact with the client's social worker via correspondence and/or telephone to report on client progress during the program. The program includes field trips, an incentives system, tokens, food served and, at the conclusion of sixteen weeks, a big graduation celebration with friends and family and a certificate of completion. Referrals Call Jermaine Bullock, Community Resource Coordinator at (215) 849-2112, ext. 127 or fax info to him at (215) 849-0903.