Easter Seals West Alabama has been awarded a three-year federal grant to implement the Parents as Teachers program in nine Alabama counties: Chilton, Bibb, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Shelby, Tuscaloosa and Walker.

The program will focus on parents with children ages birth to 5 years and will work with the parents to teach them how to help their young child develop and grow.

The expected outcomes from the program include: increased parent knowledge of early childhood development and improved parenting practices; early detection of developmental delays and health issues; prevention of child abuse and neglect; and, increased readiness for school and school success.

The Parents as Teachers model is an evidenced-based early childhood home visiting program that builds strong communities, thriving families and children who are healthy, safe and ready to learn.

Certified parent educators who implement the Parents as Teachers model will emphasize parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting and family well-being in their work with families.

Participation in the program is voluntary and is at no cost to the family.

All staff are trained and certified to implement the curriculum of the program prior to identifying families and/or providing services. Staff are also trained in the use of vision and hearing equipment that has been purchased by the agency for use in determining vision and hearing quality of children.

As needs are identified, referrals will be made to providers that can best meet those needs.

All young children and their families deserve the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of any demographic, geographic or economic considerations. Working together, we can give these children the best opportunity for success in school and in life.

For more information on how Parents As Teachers can work with you and your young child, call Beth Graham, Parent Educator for Chilton County at 205-914-1599 or the main Easter Seals West Alabama number: 205-759-1211 ext. 256.