About - Content

About

The mission of Saint Joseph Parenting Center is to provide parenting education for individuals who are at risk of abusing and/or neglecting their young children - from birth through age 12.

Clients are offered a variety of parent education classes. Half of the classes are specific to children's developmental and behavioral needs.  The other half of the classes help them deal with the every day stress of life.

In addition to offering free classes, the Parenting Center offers parents a safe place to gather and discuss the many issues they are dealing with regarding their children.  The Parenting Center is open Monday through Friday from 10:00am-4pm and Wednesday until 8:00pm.

SJPC believes it is difficult to learn when your physical needs aren't met. With this in mind, we offer our clients a light meal before each class. Then as an affirmation of participation and as an incentive to continue with the program, SJPC provides each client with a bag of groceries.

For those who complete all twenty-two classes, there is an additional incentive. When the client completes the whole program, he/she will obtain one new item from a wish list which he/she created. Wish lists are submitted at the beginning of the program and must be for the benefit of the child or children. An example of incentive items would be toddler bed, bassinet, crib, bike, or stroller.

With the client's approval, SJPC communicates with the client's social worker, lawyers, and whoever is involved in his/her case plan. Report of attendance in the program will be sent out before all court dates on the request of the client.  The benefits of open communication with Department of Children & Families (DCF) and with Juvenile Courts are many, including assisting in expediting the placement of children in temporary custody (OTC).