Van Buren Parents as Teachers
What is Parents as Teachers?
In 2001, Van Buren Parents As Teachers, (VBPAT), was established to serve all families who live in Van Buren County who are expecting a child or have a child/children newborn through age 5 (or kindergarten entry). Our goal is to provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to ensure that their children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school.
Van Buren Parents As Teachers is a free early learning evidence-based program designed to provide guidance and support to families by offering:
- In-home visits to educate parents
- Parent/child interactive and educational group connections
- Periodic Developmental screenings
- Linkage to community resources
Parents as Teachers Helps Parents
In addition, the Reach out and Read literacy programs and NEST like classes are also offered to parents.
VBPAT Parent Educators are certified to use the National Parents As Teachers evidenced-based practices and research-informed home visiting model. Parent Educators help parents:
- Recognize their child’s ever-changing abilities
- Discover new ways to encourage their child’s learning
- Stay up to date on current research in child development
- Encourage their child’s language, social-emotional, and motor development
- Detect developmental delays and health issues
- Increase their child’s school readiness and success
Within Parents As Teachers’ broader context of parent education and family support, there are three key areas of emphasis that are critical to working with families during their children’s earliest years of life:
- Parent-child interaction
- Development-centered parenting
- Family well-being
Van Buren Parents As Teachers program is an accredited Iowa Family Support Program and a department of Van Buren County Hospital (VBCH) – another way VBCH works for a healthy community.
Enrolling in Van Buren Parents as Teachers
If you are interested:
- Fill out our online form below.
- Visit us at Van Buren County Hospital in the Community Service Center
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or by appointment. - Call us at call 319-293-3171 ext. 1277 or 319-293-6276, or 800-221-6276 toll-free.
What is PAT?
Upcoming Events:
Our Educators:
Jessie Kennedy
Parent Educator, CFSP
319-293-6276
Jessie has worked with Van Buren Parents as Teachers since 2008! Jessie comes to Van Buren Parents as Teachers with a Psychology degree and is currently working on getting her master’s degree. Jessie is a Certified Family Support Professional, Certified Parent Educator, trained in working with families with special needs and teen parents. Jessie has two children of her own and enjoys the outdoors. Jessie is very creative and loves to do crafts, games and activities that encourage child development. She is great at building trust with her Parents as Teachers families and connecting them to local resources.
Patty Ahland
Parent Educator, CFSP
319-293-6276
Patty has worked with Van Buren Parents as Teachers since 2016. Patty comes to Van Buren Parents as Teachers with over 36 years of teaching under her belt. Patty ran an in-home childcare center, was the supervisor of Head Start in Northeast Missouri and was a parent educator for Scotland County prior to joining the Van Buren Parents as Techers team. Patty is a Certified Family Support Professional, Certified Parent Educator, trained in working with families with special needs and teen parents. Patty has two grown children of her own and three grandchildren. Patty loves to sew, quilt, read and grow plants in her free time. Patty goes over, beyond to support her Parents as Teachers families, and connecting them to resources that families need. Patty is very passionate about her Parents as Techers families and enjoys providing them with tools and activities to encourage child development and growth at all levels.
NEST
Join our NEST program to earn points for taking care of yourself and your child. Redeem points for free diapers, wipes, and more!
Children First Early Childhood Iowa
Find information about other helpful programs on the Children First Early Childhood Iowa website.
