“They seem like small successes to a lot of us, but she’s really grown a lot.”
Program coordinator Sabrina Dean summed up the story this way, after sharing the journey of teenage mother Eva* who was at first reluctant to engage in home visiting services. Eva slowly built a relationship with her parent educator, Jill* – an important foundation for any Parents as Teachers partnership, and no less so in situations where substance use is a stressor.
“[Jill] was just very consistent,” Sabrina explained. Now, Eva looks forward to their meetings.
Two more successes? Eva has stopped using marijuana, and she’s obtained a driver’s license – steps that can signify important movement forward for her and her family.
“She is pregnant with her second child,” Sabrina said. “She’s looking forward to participating in [Parents as Teachers] for both children.”
Research and data specialists with Parents as Teachers interviewed Sabrina, who works for First 5 Placer in partnership with KidsFirst and other community partners in Rocklin, Roseville, and Auburn, California, and many other affiliates and parent educators. These interviews formed part of a three-year project aimed at equipping parent educators to successfully walk with families in their care who have been negatively affected by substance use.
We’re incredibly grateful to the Elevance Health Foundation for providing the generous grant funding to make this project possible.
*Names changed to protect anonymity