Investigation should include
- the benefits families receive from parenting education, support, and assistance
- identifying examples of available human, financial, environmental, community, and material resources (e.g., family service programs from the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services, health care providers, Virginia WIC [Women, Infant, and Children], Virginia Cooperative Extension Service programs, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program [EFNEP], Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education [SNAP-Ed], family resource centers, preventive health care programs, helplines, recreation and leisure activities, mental health resources, early intervention programs)
- classifying resources needed to ensure the emotional and physical well-being of parent and child
- outlining a management plan for obtaining and using needed resources.
Process/Skill Questions:
Thinking
- What are the positive influences on parents and children of grandparents, other relatives, friends, co-workers, doctors, teachers, neighbors, and selected community agencies? What are the negative influences of these individuals or groups?
- What agencies in the community offer support to parents and children?
- How much support and assistance should one expect from parents when forming a future family?
Communication
- Where do individuals acquire beliefs and attitudes about the sources of support available for parents and children? What can happen if the source of support has a philosophy, mission, or values different from the parents?
- What factors determine the amount of support needed by parents and children?
- Why are some parents reluctant to seek help?
Leadership
- What would be the advantages of the support of friends and neighbors who have children the same age? What would be the disadvantages?
- How would you feel if your parents contributed financial support for your future family? What influence might they have on your family?
Management
- What information do parents need about community agencies or professional resources? Where can they obtain this information?
- What are barriers to seeking and getting support? How can one overcome these barriers?
- What questions can parents ask when selecting support services?