Van Buren Parents as Teachers

Van Buren Parents as Teachers is a program that serves all families who live in Van Buren County and are expecting a child or have a child(ren) who has not yet entered kindergarten.

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.

Parents as Teachers Enrollment

First Name
Last Name

Phone
Address:
City
State:
Zip:

Age of Children

What is PAT?

Upcoming Events:

Our Educators:

Brandi Stevens
Parent Educator, CFSP
319-293-6276

Brandi has worked with Van Buren County Parents as Teachers as a Parent Educator since June 2025. Brandi comes to Van Buren County Parents as Teachers with an Education degree and currently holds her Iowa Teaching License. Brandi is licensed in both general education as well as special education. Brandi has been in the field of education since 2007. Brandi is also a preschool teacher in a neighboring county. Brandi and her husband Brad have two children Hunter and Makinzee. The family enjoys fishing, hunting, and camping. Brandi and Brad also enjoy attending all of their children’s sporting events. Brandi is very passionate about early childhood, and believes parents are their child’s first teacher. Brandi enjoys partnering with families and helping them prepare their child for Kindergarten through hands-on learning, exploration and setting the stage for the love of lifelong learning. Brandi has already built strong partnerships with the families she serves.

NEST

Join our NEST program to earn points for taking care of yourself and your child. Redeem points for free diapers, wipes, and more!

NEST Program

Children First Early Childhood Iowa

Find information about other helpful programs on the Children First Early Childhood Iowa website.

Children First