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Parents Speak

The Early Head Start National Resource Center had the privilege of having four parents from local Early Head Start programs share their EHS experiences with us at the fall Orientation Conference for new EHS grantees. Below we are delighted to share with you the insight that we gained from their participation.

From the Voices of Parents: A Parent Panel
Early Head Start Orientation Conference
October, 2001

Desiree D. Williams
Parent, Mazique Parent Child Care Center Early Head Start

It has been an honor to be a member of the Mazique Parent Child Care Center family. The child development center has offered me the opportunity to live my dream. When I discovered Mazique Parent Child Care Center, I was in the 11th grade and a couple months pregnant. The agency was very well known by many and my counselor thought it would be a great idea to have my child attend a development center that not only offered a full range of services for her benefit but for me as well. Mazique Parent Child Care Center a full range of services from nutritional to psychological and the agency is known for its experience and outcomes.

As my pregnancy developed, I visited the center to be reassured that this would be where I wanted my child to receive its early childhood education. I very quickly became apart of the Mazique family and the staff embraced me with open arms, and did not place judgment for being a teen.

I am privileged to be one of the parents involved in such a great center. My daughter was born and at six weeks old she began attending the daycare and since there are no rules for being a perfect parent, so I looked to the agency for guidance and assistance, of which they have been quite helpful.

I came to realize Mazique Parent Child Care Center had much more to offer than I realized. I have been afforded the opportunity to participate in various parenting classes, such as "Dare to Be You" and "Pathways to the Future." Without these special projects, I would be completely lost and I am grateful for their guidance. I feel privileged to be a parent involved in such a wonderful center and program. With the availability of child care, mentoring and other services offered to families in which they serve, I have been able to continue my education knowing that my child is rapidly developing and is healthy.

As I have accomplished one of my goals and continue to work towards others, Mazique continue to support me. There was once when I didn't have money for transportation and the agency provided money to me so that I along with my child could continue our education and development.

This really shocked me to know that Mazique would help me in a financial crisis. This means a lot to me because I don't know what have done without the support. I think this support will be helpful to other parents at different centers. I think agencies should be prepared to respond to parents needs in un-expecting way such as financially. This would allow parents to look at daycares differently it would no longer be a place where their child develop but the parent also.

Maribel Escomilla
Madre, Rosemount Center Early Head Start

Mi nombre es Maribel Escomilla tengo 27 anos soy casada, tengo tres hijos sus nombres son Luis A., Victor F., y Gustavo A. Escomilla. Nosotros somos originarios de la ciudad de México ecepto mi hijo Gustavo A. que nacio aqui. Mi familia y yo venimos a los Estados Unidos hace casi ocho anos.

En este momento participo en el comite de padres del Centro Rosemount. El ano pasado un dia por el mes de julio iba caminando por la calle y me encontre a una persona muy simpatica que me sonrio, me pregunto que si hablabla ingles y le conteste que si, ella se presento conmigo y me pregunto que si me interesaria participar en un programa en la cual ella trabaga como visitadora de hogar, me hiso algunas preguntas hacerca de mi hijo y me explico de que se trataba a mi me encanto la idea desaber que algien se interesara por el desarrollo de mi hijo.

Una de las mejores experiencias que he tenido, ha sido que siempre que he necesitado ayuda con relacion al desarollo de mi hijo la he encontrado. Otra experiencia ha sido que gracias a la ayuda de mi visitadora de hogar y el Centro Rosemount tengo la oportunidad de estudiar ya que mi hijo Gustavo esta en el centro como ustedes saben lo dificil que es el tener quien le cuiden a nuestros hijos y no solo eso que les ensenen nuevas cosas.

Tambien he comprendido con esto la importancia de estar involucrados con la educacion de nuestros hijos.

Para mi ha sido muy importante como mi visitadora se intereso en el problema de salud que mi hijo tiene el tiene principios de asma y ella me ayudo a encontrar un doctor.
Lo que yo les pido alas trabajadores de hogar es que siempre trabajen con profesionalismo y que siempre tengan iniciativa como la persona que yo encontre que gracias a ello yo estoy muy contenta y muy agradecida.
Para mi ha sido muy importante saber que siempre hay alguien con quien puedo yo contar.

Ahora en el centro tambien tengo muy encuenta la comunicacion que hay con las maestras de hijo ya que me informan de lo que pasa con mi hijo.

Es muy importante para mi que haya programas como estos que son tan buenos para mi y para la comunidad.

En lo cual se refiere ala educacion de mi hijo Gustavo voy ha estar mas informada hacerca de la educacion que mi hijo ha recibido y segira recibiendo si Dios lo permite, y tambien saber cuales son mis derechos como madre.

En lo personal veo un futuro muy bueno para mi como para mi familia una carrera terminada, un buen trabajo, una hermosa casa que es el mas grande sueno de mi esposo, mis hijos continuando con sus estudios y asi como una familia feliz.

Quiero agradecer por tener centros como Rosemount que nos dan la oportunidad de pertencer a ellos y nos brindan su ayuda.

Translation of letter from Maribel Escomilla:

My name is Maribel Escomilla. I am 27 years old. I am married, I have three children.

Their names are: Luis A. Victor F. and Gustavo A. Escomilla. We are natives of Mexico City except Gustavo A. because he was born here in Washington DC. My family came to the United States eight years ago.

At this time I am a member participant in the parents committee here at Rosemount Center. Last year, one day in July I was walking in the street and I met a person who was very friendly she smiled at me and asked me if I spoke English, I answered yes, she introduced herself and asked me if I was interested to participate in a program which she works as a Home Visitor, she asked questions about my son and explained all about the program I became interested and I was happy to learn about it and to see that someone was interested about my son's development.

One of the best experiences that I have, is that whenever I had a need of help in relation to my son's development, I have been able to find it.
My other experience is being thankful to my Home Visitor who have provided me with so much assistance now that my son is attending Rosemount Center I am able to continue with my education as you know how difficult it is to get someone that will provide good care for the development of my child.

Also, I have learned how important it is to be involved with education of our children.

For me, it has been really important to see all the help received from my Home Visitor showing her concern in the health of my son starting asthma assisted me to find a doctor. I encourage others who work in this field as home visitors to practice professionalism, as well as to practice initiative just like the home visitor that I met to whom I am so happy and thankful I know that I can count on her with support.

At the center, I am pleased with my communication with the teachers of my son, they always tell me what happens with my child.

It is so important that there are programs like these that are so good for me and for the community.

In reference to my son Gustavo's education, I am learning and being aware of the need of my active participation if God allows me I will respond with the best of my abilities, as well as to get more knowledge of my rights as a mother.

Personally, I am able to see a good future for myself completing my education, to seek a good job, my children getting a good education and to make true my husband's and my dream to get our own house and be a happy family.

I want to express my gratitude for all the support and assistance that we receive in Rosemount.)

Gloria Murray
Parent, Family Services Agency Early Head Start

The Early Head Start (EHS) program has made a significant difference with my family as a whole. My husband and I have six children and one on the way. Today's society would identify us as a "blended family". I view us as a family filled with love and many rewarding experiences.We are actively involved with EHS program of Montgomery County, Gaithersburg Maryland area. I am currently the policy council chairperson, and my husband is a member of the Male Involvement Empowerment program. We became involved with EHS when a family member who was already involved with the program in another city, suggested that it would be a great program for us to explore.

We became involved with EHS at a time when we faced a down hill spiral in our financial situation as well as our housing. We had reached an all time low. There were many uncertainties, but through our faith we were able to look up. We decided to be a part of the EHS program at this point, because we were looking for support and encouragement while going through a very difficult period. Although in our family existed a lot of love, we needed an outside voice that could provide us with constructive criticism to get us on the right track. After speaking with the enrollment assistant and learning more about the program, we decided to give it a try.

There have been many rewarding experiences within this program for us; I would like to mention just a few. The First experience I recall that left a lifetime impression on me was when my Family Support Worker (FSW), who visited my home on a weekly basis. We had become very close, I considered her a friend. She would tell me about many resources that were available to me in the county. Many times I would act as if I really did not need help, because pride got in my way. I was not accustom to our family needing help from outside resources, and I didn't know how to ask for help. But because I had a trustworthy relationship with my FSW she was able to read into that. She began to tell me that there is nothing wrong with excepting help, because one day you will be in a position to help someone yourself again. She even went with me to a few places to apply for different services. Thanks to her today, I believe strongly that pride will lead you to an even bigger fall, but a helping caring hand will lead you to a successful outcome.

My second experience was with an another mother within the program. At one of the EHS family time socials we found ourselves conversing and to both of our surprise we had gone through very similar situations. At one point, I felt like backing out of the program and crawling under a rock in hiding, because of an unwanted experience in my life. After discussing it with her, we both decided after encouraging one another that we were going to stay in the program, and not only that, we would become more involve by making a difference in the lives of other families.

My third experience was with some EHS staffing issues. For approximately three to six months early in the program my designated FSW kept changing. I had a new face coming to my door at least once every other month. This was quite difficult because this wasn't a drive thru McDonald where it didn't matter if there were a personnel change, this was my HOME. I grew discouraged and decided after being in the program for about six months to leave if this change of staff continued. I decided to talk with the supervisor of the family service workers, and voiced my complaint. She told me that she understood and they were working on the internal changes. She also offered to come an serve as my FSW permanently, she assured me that she would be there at least a year, if not more. At that point I felt that she resolve it by providing her own individual
services. And yes she did honor here commitment and served as my FSW until our two year old entered the center base program.

My last experience I will share with you that stands out is when my FSW ask if I would be interested in enrolling my two year old daughter into the center based program. I was a bit skeptical at first, because I wanted to make sure this was an appropriate setting for our daughter. I also needed to be sure that I wasn't neglecting her of any motherly nurturing that she still may have needed. But due the relationship I had with my FSW and her regular visits she knew and I did also deep within that our daughter was ready for the extended level of challenges and experiences by interacting with other children. Since then our daughter has been doing exceptionally well and is learning at an incredible rate. She looks forward to going. Thanks to my FSW we were able to provide an extended level of academic and social experiences for her.

At the completion of this program I will have accomplished the following:

1. Completed a communication/public speaking certification program at the University of Maryland.
2. Empowered other family in exercising their talents and abilities in becoming strong advocates for their children.
3. A strong advocate for children rights.
4. Pursue a career as a consultant for families and the community in linking educational/social opportunities between the two.

The message that I would like to leave for staff building new EHS programs is as follows:

1. Staff stability is extremely important in order for a good program to run effectively. You must be willing to put the same time and energy into keeping the families and providing them with quality service. Likewise, staff needs to be appreciated, through competitive salaries, staff appreciation luncheons, staff of the month acknowledgement etc. . . . Remember what you put in is what you get out.
2. You are to empower parents, not enable them. Understand they can learn from you and you can learn from them.
3. You will need to use many methods and creative ideas in order to meet the needs of all of your families.
4. Identify your community needs, by determining how diverse they may or may not be, and tailor your program to meet theses needs.

In closing the EHS program is an outstanding program; it is an investment for the future generations to come. The greatest gift that can be given is for one to give him/or herself to another, why not to a newborn babe or a toddler that holds the world in their hands.

Nickey Murray
Parent, Family Services Agency Early Head Start

The Early Head Start (EHS) program has changed my parenting techniques, and empowered my overall thought process of being a father.

Before I became a participant in the EHS program, I basically followed my father's example. This example had been passed down from one generation to another. I thought by working and providing shelter and food, I was on the right track. I made sure discipline was enforced and our children were well groomed. I thought that doing homework with them, spending quality time, reading to them, playing games, listening, and showing affection were all things a mother was to do. This is what I was familiar with as a child.

Fortunately by being involved with EHS Male Empowerment Program (MEP), I found that my parenting techniques and thoughts were wrong. I discovered through literature and speaking with other men from different backgrounds, that a father's role is far more than providing shelter, food and clothing, that's only the beginning.

Based on what I've learned, I decided I was not going to continue my father's parenting style. I purposed in my heart, I would be an involved father, not just from the exterior, but the interior as well.

At present, I come home each day and I do homework with my children, I talk with them and listen to them regarding their day, etc . . . . I also play games with them, take them on walks and read to them. But most important is I tell them how much I love and appreciate them.

In closing, I am grateful for the EHS program. The program has impacted me for life, I can say now that I am a real father, and proud to be one.