When using the Teaching Family Model to help with youth development it’s critical to understand the role that parents play in the process. All sites certified in the Teaching Family Model should do all that they can to promote parent involvement in the youth development process. Teaching Parents are the key players in getting parents involved in their son or daughter’s development. The Pre-Service Workshop provides training for Teaching Parents for promoting parent involvement. This article will provide an overview of why parents should be involved in youth development through the Teaching Family Model and how to get parents involved in the process.

Why Should Teaching Parents Promote Parent Involvement?

The first thing to understand is that parents are vital to a youth’s success. Parents have a lot of valuable information that will help Teaching Parents with the treatment planning process. Having an understanding of the youth’s past history and his or her current situation allows Teaching Parents to be much more prepared for working with the youth.

It’s important for Teaching Parents to begin building a strong relationship with parents early on in the youth development process. One way Teaching Parents can build strong relationships with parents is to show just how committed they are to the parents’ son or daughter. Parents become more comfortable working with Teaching Parents when they realize that Teaching Parents are dedicated to providing quality treatment to their son or daughter. Having a good relationship with parents will also be critical once the youth has completed the program and goes home. Parents will be better equipped to continue working with their son or daughter because they have an understanding of the program and what their son or daughter has been taught.

How Do Teaching Parents Build Relationships with Parents?

The best way for Teaching Parents to build strong relationships with youth’s parents is to make them feel like they are part of the process. As you read above, parents play a critical role during youth development with the Teaching Family Model. Teaching Parents must make them feel good about their role in the process. Teaching Parents should share with the parents the youth’s daily schedule, motivation system, target skill areas, privilege package, and basic program guidelines. Teaching parents should provide opportunities for the youth to visit at home, for the parents to visit at the program, and for parents to participate in program planning and activities. This way parents and youths can interact and continue building those family bonds. When parents cannot attend certain sessions Teaching Parents should contact parents frequently and consistently to share information about their son/daughter’s progress and routine. Remember, the goal is to make parents feel empowered enough to continue helping their son or daughter once they have finished with the program. By building strong relationships with parents, Teaching Parents are getting parents involved in the process and educating them on the Teaching Family Model all at the same time.

When it comes to youth development, everyone has a role to play. With that said, it’s critical to the success of the program that parents are actively involved. Teaching Parents can ensure that happens.