Pennsylvania diocese launches parent education program

CNA Staff, Nov 16, 2024 / 06:00 am

The Diocese of Scranton in Pennsylvania launched a parent education program this fall designed to provide support and resources for local families. 

The “Parents As Teachers” program offers support, resources, and formation for parents raising young children. This includes home visits from educators, workshops on parenting, and other educational resources, according to the diocese. The program, which began serving its initial group of nine families in September, celebrated a large kickoff event on Nov. 9.

Dagmar Frias Montolio, the program supervisor, told CNA that the diocese launched the program “in response to a growing recognition of the need to support parents as their children’s first and most influential teachers.”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that parents “have the first responsibility for the education of their children” and encourages parents to educate their children in virtue (No. 2223). But parental mental health is at a low, with stress levels increasing over the past decade, suggesting parents need more support. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy cited parental stress as a public health challenge in an advisory this summer. 

“The initiative was likely inspired by several factors: the challenges many families face in raising children amidst changing societal pressures, the desire to strengthen family bonds, and the Church’s mission to foster moral and educational growth within the community,” Montolio explained. 

“By focusing on early childhood education, the program aims to equip parents with knowledge and resources to support their children’s development from birth through the early school years,” Montolio continued.

The program is personalized to each family’s needs and involves a one-year minimum commitment. It focuses on parenting strategies as well as marking developmental milestones and early literacy. 

There are currently six caseworkers involved in the program. Caseworkers visit once or twice a month, depending on the child’s needs. 

When asked where the need was for the program, Montolio cited socioeconomic issues.  

“In Luzerne County, there is a specific need for programs that bolster parenting skills and support family stability, particularly for families facing economic challenges or lacking access to early childhood education resources,” she explained. 

In Luzerne County, about 15% of the population is considered to be living in poverty. 

“Socioeconomic issues like poverty and low parent education levels are reflected in our current truancy rates and continuous education challenges children are facing,” Montolio continued. “We want to help break the generational cycles and barriers so many of our families are struggling with.”

The program is available to any families and does not have an income requirement. 

Montolio noted that the program is not directly faith-based but is rooted in Catholic teaching. 

“Although it is not a faith-based program, ‘Parents As Teachers’ does align with the vision and mission statement of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton: Bringing dignity to families,” she said. 

“Catholic social teaching emphasizes the importance of dignity, solidarity, and compassion; all values that are integral to the ‘Parents As Teachers’ approach,” Montolio explained. 

Catholic social teaching, based on a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents, highlights various themes and priorities for Catholics in society such as “life and dignity of the human person,” “solidarity,” and the “call to family, community, and participation.” 

“The program draws on the Catholic teachings which outline the family as the cornerstone of society and the Church’s role in nurturing strong, faith-filled communities,” Montolio said.