ParentWorks Helps Parents and Children

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ParentWorks Helps Parents and Children
My wife came across an article in the July 11 – 15 edition of the Hershey Chronicle that I thought might be of interest to other parents. The article profiles a local parent assistance effort called ParentWorks.

According to the article, ParentWorks has program centers established in Harrisburg, Hershey, Middletown and Elizabethtown. In-home services are also offered. The Hershey group, featured in the article, has been operating out of the Derry Presbyterian Church for about 2 and 1/2 years with typically eight to ten families participating.

"The program operates on the basis that if parents know what to expect from their children and how to deal with them, they will make better parent with happier kids," Lynn Lyons, director of the Hershey center, told Chronicle staff.

Families attend ParentWorks on a once-a-week basis. Parents and their children have the opportunity to play and interact together, but parents also spend time with other parents and ParentWorks staff discussing a variety of topics such as safety, discipline, play, nutrition, stress management, etc. All discussions focus on child development and education in parenting and coping skills.

ParentWorks often attracts parents new to the area and those looking for social exposure for their children ahead of pre-school as well as referrals from doctors and pre-school teachers. The program also handles treatment referrals from mental health and Children and Youth services.

The ParentWorks program provides an important sense of reassurance to parents and allows them to see and talk to other parents going through situations similar to theirs.

Unfortunately, the article provided no direct contact information. However I have been provided a telephone number for the ParentWorks, Inc. main office at (717) 774-3673.

-- John Borland

Affective Skills Web Site

Last Modified: March 21, 2003