Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
FFY 2011 Annual Progress and Services Report
379
The basic premise of the program is found in the tenet-“How can you help your
children, if you cannot help yourself?” A Decision Memo is being prepared and will
be submitted to the appropriate officials within DCFS regarding this funding
request.
4) Springfield Region
The Parent Place: Services through the Parent Place provide parents with child
development information to assist them in developing appropriate expectations for
their children – reducing the risk of frustration and anger that can lead to child abuse
and neglect. The client population at The Parent Place is reflective of the
community at large. The program serves clients from all walks of life encompassing
all demographics. The staff is extremely diverse and parents themselves-which
reflects the program commitment to peer education/support and parent are hired to
address the varied needs of the clients. A Bilingual Spanish speaking clients’ needs
are better served by a staff person who is a mother of 4 and is Spanish speaking. The
Parent Place serve a large population of substance-addicted parents-one female and
one male Parent Educator at The Parent Place are CDACs to address the specific
needs of this target population. In the area of Child Safety-The Parent Place
provides parents with updated child development information to assist them in
developing appropriate expectations for their children-reducing the risk of
frustration and anger attributed to unrealistic expectations, which may lead to child
abuse or neglect. Participating parents learn techniques to deal with inconsolable
crying in infants, whining and other behaviors that incite parental anger. Clients are
taught to develop support networks throughout the community and receive referrals
and resources to utilize when feeling stressed, enraged or overwhelmed. Emphasis
is placed on putting parents in time outs verses children to reduce the risk of
harming their children out of anger. Child proofing homes, choosing safe child care
and learning and utilizing positive discipline techniques vs. punishment complete
our efforts to keep children safe through positive parenting education. Permanency
– The Parent Place provides both education and support to create a safe environment
for children. Enhanced parenting skills, provide the foundation of a safe, loving
home for all children. Clients receives services that focus on child development,
school success, acknowledging and meeting the physical, emotional and social
needs of their children as the crux of keeping the family intact. Child and Family
Well-being – Confidant parents with practical tools enjoying parenting and are
better equipped to deal with the inherent challenges of raising children. In FY2011
the contract provided for seven MOMS classes and six DADS classes. The classes
meet for a total of 18 contact hours each. Childcare and transportation were
provided in these classes. In FY11 the program expanded and extended the
Individual Family Coaching program to provide 62 clients with ten one hour
sessions. Clients receiving these services may be developmentally and physically
disabled, extremely young, and/ or mentally incapable, of participating in a large
group setting. They may have conflicting work schedules, or supervised visits that
prevent them from taking the MOMS or DADS class. These clients receive
minimally one home visit; many receive all session in their homes. Other clients
have needed sessions to be conducted or based on supervised visits with their
