Fall Programs for Parents/Caregivers Offered by CCE Orange and Sullivan Counties

Middletown, NY –Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange and Sullivan Counties are offering a variety of parenting workshops this Fall. Some of these programs are in-person, while the majority are taking place virtually.  Since the pandemic, some programming switched to virtual and has remained this way to help parents/caregivers attend more easily.   This comprehensive schedule of classes meets the needs of parents/caregivers of young children and teens and also focuses on the value of Self Care and Building Your Community Connections to help parents find support during their parenting journey.

To register for any of these programs please go to Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County website at www.cceorangecounty.org/event or Our Community Table to the calendar tab  https://blogs.cornell.edu/building-community/.

Self-Connection/Self-care, Tuesday, September 26, 2023 7-8:30pm  $10/Family

Often as adults, we put ourselves last on the list. Research supports that self-care is of great importance when raising our children.  Areas we will cover:

•         Mindfulness

•         Parental resiliency

•         Self-care

•         Impact of role modeling these behaviors

Unpacking the Teen Years, a Supportive Parenting series, Wednesdays, October 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2023 7-8:30pm $25/Family

During this positive and supportive approach to the teen years, we will discuss:

•         Changes in your teen

•         Your role in parenting teens

•         Ways to build connectivity with your teen

•         Communication strategies and tools

•         How to identify red flags for challenging behaviors

Strengthening Families 10-14, Wednesdays, October 4, 11, 18 and 25, November 1, 8, 15, 2023, 5:45-8:45pm, free

This is a unique, in-person program where parents/caregivers attend with their 10-14 year olds for a seven session series.  It is free as it is generously funded by the Orange County Youth Bureau and United Way. This program includes a family meal, interactive activities for adults and youth in the series.  Childcare is also provided for siblings that are ages 3-9 years of age.

Topics covered include: ways to strengthen family communication, why teens act the way they do, how to work through problems together, how to avoid problems with substance use and more! 

Discipline is NOT a Dirty Word, Thursdays, October 5th, 12, 19, 26, November 2, and 9th, 2023, 9:30-11am, $40/family

This fun and interactive six session series is filled with resources about child development, parental coaching, and powerful parenting tools that support caregivers on their parenting journey. There will be ample time for questions and group discussions that support parental confidence and wellbeing. 

Topics include: What is discipline?, Why do kids misbehave?, understanding your parenting style, ways to co-regulate with your child, parental self-care, child and brain development 101, understanding the value of empathy and self-esteem, temperament, Protective Factors framework, communication strategies, how to build connection with your children, and 5 important techniques for your parenting tool box.

Building Your Community Connection, Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 7-8:30pm $10

•         What is social connection?

•         How does it benefit us?

•         What are factors that impact our connections?

•         Why is belonging so important to adults, youth and teens?

•         How can we build community to help our families?

Once registered, you will receive the Zoom links to participate in the virtual series. Please contact Suzan Sussmann at 845-344-1234 or by emailing sls536@cornell.edu with any questions.

Cornell Cooperative Extension and its partnerships provide programs for Orange and Sullivan County residents on youth and family development; nutrition, health, and food safety; community and economic vitality; and agricultural sustainability through Cornell based research. Committed to Orange County, we design programs to meet local needs to enable people to improve their lives and communities. For more information call Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County at 845-344-1234 or visit our website at www.cceorangecounty.org.