Morning Session I: 10:30 AM – Noon

(A-1) "3 Easy Steps to Creating Your Own Web Site"

Interactive Training — Introductory
Edrene S. Montgomery, Ph.D.
Freelance Educator and Computer Consultant

This hands-on workshop will enable Parent Educators to create cost-free, professional-quality Web sites quickly and easily. The only requirements are an Internet connection and a recent browser. Participants will point and click their way through the creation process in three easy steps: (1) log in, (2) select a style, and (3) customize the content. This session should particularly benefit those who require a vehicle to publicize their educational services (classes, workshops, and resources).

Interactive Training — Introductory
Bob Strickland, Client Referral Network Coordinator
Madison & Washington County Community Partnership

Welcome to the Information Age! Are you still traveling down the Information Dirt Road? Get with the program and get your data working for you so you can spend more time on the human element. This session will cover database design, development and implementation for the nontechnical computer user. A practical demonstration will guide you through the development of your own information tracking system. This session should particularly benefit those who are in need of using a relational database to better manage their business.

Interactive Training — Introductory
Judge Vicki S. Cook
Circuit Chancery Juvenile Judge, Garland County

This workshop will explore prevention and intervention programs that have proven effective in schools at reducing violence. It will involve audience participation. This session should particularly benefit those who are teachers, counselors, child care providers, probation officers, and parents of school age children.

Theoretical Models, Child Growth & Development — Advanced
Betty B. Davis, Ph.D.
Early Childhood/Family Life Educator

"For all parents-to-be, three babies come together at the moment of birth." The imaginary child of the dreams and fantasies of each parent comes together with realities of the actual newborn to shape the earliest relationship and consequences for growth and development for the child as a fully functioning individual. This session should have interest and benefit for those who provide education or counseling for parents, and those involved with public policy development.

Case Studies/Model Programs — Introductory
Dr. Beth Wilson, CFCS, CFLE
Professor and Chair, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Harding University

Many children, caught in the midst of marital conflicts, witness acts of violence. Does being a witness to domestic violence have long-term effects on the child? The accumulating body of research evidence supports both short and long-term consequences for the child. Programs for children in domestic violence are providing answers for intervention strategies. This session should particularly benefit those who are child care providers, directors of battered women shelters, parent educators and home visitors.

Interactive Training — Advanced
Julianne Honey, Prevention Director
Central AR Substance Abuse Program through Gyst House, Inc.

This workshop will explore the spirit, mindset and procedures of how to approach young people. Learning occurs when we are involved in the process as completely as possible. Interaction, involvement and creativity are approached through a variety of interactive activities in this session. With the underlying goal of graceful communication, we are clearly challenged through projects when guided by a seasoned trainer. This session should particularly benefit those who are currently involved in training/education and motivational projects and would like to have a more captivating and effective program.

(A-7) "Thinking Out of the Box: Making School-Based Parent Involvement Programs a Success"

Case Studies/Model Programs — Introductory
Jane M. Cornell, MS
Director of Parent’s Services, Bentonville Public School District, Parents PLUS Family Center

Parenting professionals are typically faced with the challenge of keeping programs and services fresh, appealing and current with regard to the needs of the immediate population they serve. Successful school-based parental involvement programs that are operating "out of the box" have the ability to do this. This session should particularly benefit those who are currently working in the field of school-based parental involvement as well as newcomers.

Training of Trainers — Introductory
Kandice Croom Ed.D., Student Assistance Specialist,
Fort Smith Public Schools
Sandi Jordan, Parent Center Coordinator,
Lake Hamilton School District

Parent to Parent is a video-based, training program for parents that provides the information and tools they need to raise their children to avoid drugs, alcohol, and violence. It is designed to get action; to change behavior; to increase confidence; to improve performance. It can easily be facilitated by "regular" people - parents, not experts. This session should particularly benefit those who are looking for a drug education program that promotes action and empowers parents.

Interactive Training — Introductory
Ivory Conley, LSW
Program Administrator, Washington County Head Start

This presentation will help participants identify ways to get in tune with their beliefs and share ideas on cultural sensitivity and family traditions. This session should particularly benefit those who are answering questions from preschool children about cultural differences.

Theoretical Models — Introductory
Dr. Virginia Krauft, Licensed Psychologist
Center for Psychology and Reflexology

Depression is a "dis-ease" not an "at-ease". It is the symptom of a need our psyche has to change. Knowing the symptom can lead to its cure. This session should particularly benefit those who are working with parents dealing with their own or their child’s depression.

Afternoon Session II: 1:30 - 3:00 pm

Interactive Training — Introductory
Edrene S. Montgomery, Ph.D.
Freelance Educator and Computer Consultant

This hands-on workshop will introduce Parent Educators to the resources of the Internet and the World Wide Web. Participants will examine the features of recent Web browsers, experiment with the most popular search engines, and locate sources specifically related to effective parenting. This session should particularly benefit those who need an introduction to the Internet with specific emphasis on parenting resources.

Interactive Training — Advanced
Marti Genge, Educational Outreach Specialist
Center for Effective Parenting, Springdale

Would you like to improve your newsletter to effectively reach your targeted audience? If so, bring your existing newsletter, on disk if possible, and join this session to learn how to catch the attention of your audience. This session should particularly benefit those who want to improve the quality and look of their newsletter.

Interactive Training — Introductory
Janine Watson, Ph.D., Pediatric Psychologist
UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital

This workshop will provide an overview of clinical issues related to post-partum depression including prevalence, diagnostic issues, conceptual theories and treatment issues. This session should particularly benefit those who are working directly with, or share a concern for, new mothers and infants.

Interactive Training — All Levels
Terri Elders, LCSW, Adolescent and School Health Coordinator, Arkansas Department of Health

In this workshop, participants will learn about the developmental assets approach to viewing children and youth and learn how parents can build a healthy environment to assure that children have the assets that they need. Key points of the presentation are: (1) Everyone can build assets; (2) All young people need assets; (3) Relationships are critical; (4) Asset building is an ongoing process; (5) Consistent messages are important; and (6) Intentional redundancy is important. This workshop should particularly benefit those who work with youth and their families.

Interactive Training — Introductory
Mary Lachowsky, Ready to Learn Coordinator
Arkansas Educational Television Network

This introduces participants to the Arkansas Educational Television Network’s (AETN) Ready to Learn special project, which focuses on children up to 5 years of age. Participants will learn about workshops and other resources available to parents and childcare providers. Participants will receive samples of PBS Families, a free quarterly magazine available from AETN, as well as samples of workshop materials and children’s books. Other PBS/AETN series focusing on parenting skills and child development will be presented. This session should particularly benefit those who are new to parenting education.