A Barton County woman readily acknowledged that she was skeptical – to say the least - about the Parent Project.

Now, she is eager to spread the word about what she learned and how her relationship with her daughter has improved.

Parent Project is a Juvenile Services (JS) program that consists of one class a week for 10 consecutive weeks from 6 to 9 p.m., usually on Tuesdays, at 1800 12th. The next one starts Sept. 12.

There is no cost; participants receive a homecooked meal and class materials.

The mom who attended the recent classes said her daughter was physically abusive and defiant. She lied and broke things.

“She didn’t like me taking this class but she is coming around,” the mother said. “For example, physical aggression is not an issue now.”

One of the more useful tools is called TEASPOT, which stands for Take Everything Away for a Short Period of Time.

“TEASPOT means I take away her phone, computer, TV, and in many cases, I take the door off her bedroom,” the mom said. “There is a specific time established for this to end. The shortest period was one hour, the longest seven days.

“The big things for me are consistency, being direct and following through,” she added.

The mother and daughter compiled a “house contract,” which is working for them. They also use a “Stop/Think” card.

“When she acts like she is going to do or say something inappropriate, I hold up the card. She stops and thinks before she does or says anything,” the mom reported.

In addition to the changes in her daughter, the mom now uses a calmer tone of voice, which leads to fewer arguments.

“I strongly encourage parents to consider this class,” the mom commented. “There is so much information. I don’t see how you couldn’t get something out of this class.

“I learned from other parents and now realize I am not alone.”

CASEY ROWLAND

The mother emphasized her appreciation for Casey Rowland, JS family engagement advocate who leads Parent Project.

“Casey is always here for me,” she said. “Thanks to her, my daughter is doing better and I am handling things differently. Casey also encourages parents in the class to keep in touch with one another, which many of us do.”

Rowland said “we have parents dealing with out-of-control teenagers, while others report issues such as talking back and not obeying the rules.

“Our classes are designed for these situations and everything in between. Everyone is welcome – even parents of adult children.”

Rowland works with parents individually, if they choose. These interactions can be prior to the classes beginning, during the 10-week course, and/or after the sessions wrap up.

“Even though the classes may be over, I am not going anywhere; I am always here for the parents,” Rowland noted.

She added that the mother in this story was “always attentive and did the work involved. She was invested in this and now her daughter is too. I appreciate her and all the parents I work with.”

Rowland encourages attendance at all sessions because the curriculum is structured and each class builds on the ones before.

Incentives to attend include gifts, gift cards and the homemade meal, which JS staff prepares. Sometimes parents choose to order out.

“We just hope you learn some things that help in day-to-day life,” Rowland summarized. “It is good to remember that everyone makes mistakes. When that happens, we re-group.”

The Kansas Department of Corrections-Juvenile Services finances the classes; the child doesn’t have to be a JS client.

20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake & Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.