Florence Educators Association donates equipment
By ROWENA PLETT
Reporter / photographer
Florence Educators Association recently donated a cassette player and tote bag to the Marion County Parents as Teachers (PAT) program for use by home visitors.
Marion County PAT recently received a $425 grant from Kansas Reading Association to purchase books for use by children and parents enrolled in the program.
Florence Educators donated the tape player when it became aware that some of the books came with tapes but no player was available.
The books are kept at Marion County Health Department and can be checked out by parent educators for a two-week period along with the cassette player, if needed.
What is PAT?
PAT is a resource to families in Marion County. It provides a coordinated, countywide home visitor program that serves families of infants and preschool children.
Currently, two people work in the program: Director Leslie Beery of Hillsboro and Tisha Bielefeld of Peabody.
According to Beery, the program's goal is to provide parents with information, support, and ideas to help them give their children important early learning experiences.
There are no eligibility requirements. All parents with small children are welcome to enroll in the free program regardless of income or education level.
Services are provided to children from birth to age three and sometimes longer if a child is considered to be "at risk" for poor performance in school.
Staff members visit each participating family once a month. The approximately hour-long session includes reading and an activity, with supplies provided. The home visitor provides information to parents about infant development, and gives advice or suggestions concerning specific problems the parent is having regarding the child.
Group activities for children and parents enrolled in the program are held every three months. Parent workshops also are made available.
When a child turns three, the family graduates out of the program unless there is a younger sibling. The child receives a book and a certificate, and plans are made for continued early education, if desired.
Approximately 75-80 families currently are being served. That number is expected to continue to grow to at least 120 next year.
Funding is provided by the five school districts in the county as well as a grant through the Juvenile Justice Authority.
Parents interested in enrolling in the Parents as Teachers program may call Lesli Beery at (620) 382-7803 or Marion County Health Department, (620) 382-2550.
About the director
Lesli Beery spends approximately 37 1/2 hours a week as a parent educator. She makes three to four home visits a day, sometimes in the evening to accommodate parents' schedules.
She has a degree in early childhood education. Although she has no children of her own, she is a licensed foster mother. Because she works with so many children, she is able to approach problems presented by parents in an objective, insightful way.
Beery regards herself much like a school teacher except that she teaches infants and toddlers.
"I love my job so much," she said. "I love all my kids."
She has learned to adapt to each family and address their specific needs.
"I am helping parents to become their child's best first teacher," she concluded.
