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Providing Parents with Support and Information

Parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. Parenting Education programs in Washington State's community and technical colleges strengthen families and enhance a parent's ability to provide the best possible environment for the healthy growth and development of their child.

 

Twenty community and technical colleges in Washington State sponsor parenting skills classes, parent-cooperative preschool classes, parent/child classes, and specialized programs to meet the changing needs of families. Parents/students earn college credit, with short-term certificates in parenting skills and leadership available at some colleges. Classes are offered in a variety of formats, including face-to-face, online, hybrid, evening, and weekend classes. 

OPEP Commitment to Increasing Protective Factors

The Strengthening Families Washington Strategy from Department of Early Learning lists five protective factors known to help reduce child abuse and neglect:

 

  • Knowledge of parenting and child development

  • Social connections

  • Parental resiliency

  • Concrete support in times of need

  • Social and emotional competence of children

 

These five areas are studied and practiced in OPEP Parenting Education classes.

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