Preventing Child Abuse Using the Circle of Parents Support Group Model

Conference Theme: Systemic Change

Session Description

Parents today face high levels of stress and loneliness, and when parents struggle, so do their children. Resource deserts and long waitlists for supportive programs can result in parents not getting the help they need, putting children at risk of abuse and neglect.

Through the national Circle of Parents model, communities can offer parents free, peer-led support groups that build social connections, knowledge of parenting and family resources, and parental confidence and resilience. Unlike relationships with professional supporters, the relationships that parents gain through the peer-led Circle of Parents model can provide deeper, more sustained, and more holistic support to families.

In this session, participants will learn about the power of the Circle of Parents model and steps for starting Circle of Parents groups in their own communities.

Session Objectives

Participants will

1. Participants will learn about the components that make the Circle of Parents model effective at empowering parents and building protective factors within families.
2. Participants will take away a list of active Circle of Parents groups statewide that they can use to refer parents to the program.
3. Participants will understand the steps for starting a Circle of Parents group in their communities.
4. Participants will learn about the variety of Circle of Parents groups and how to tailor Circle of Parents groups to meet the needs of parents in their communities.

Presenter

Barb Sorum, FamilyWise Services

Barb has been working in the field of child abuse and neglect prevention since 1993. As Director of Prevention Initiatives with Minnesota FamilyWise Services, she works extensively with family and community supportive services to strengthen awareness and prevention education efforts. Barb coordinates and facilitates regional trainings, coalition building, implementing system changes, supervision, and initiating quality assurance. She works with community leaders and agencies to establish and guide the operations of parenting support and education programs through the Circle of Parents statewide network.

Barb has extensive knowledge of child abuse, neglect, and domestic violence prevention efforts, providing direct and indirect services, support, and intervention to women, parents, children, and families in crisis. She is a survivor of child abuse and domestic violence and is committed to children’s health, welfare, and safety, as well as developing parent and community-based leadership. Barb represents FamilyWise Services in statewide and national collaborative activities.