Circle of Parents
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT)
Ongoing support group that meets weekly. Groups are offered in different locations in the county.
Contact: Heather Hinkley
Phone: 800-children
Email: hhinkley@pcavt.org
Website: www.pcavt.org
Age: Open to All (Unless Offered to a Specific Group)
Fee: None
Time: 1 ½ – 2 hrs/week (Call for Details or Visit Website)
Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
This is a nutrition education program that’s specially made for you. It helps you look and feel your best, gets your children to eat their vegetables, and you will learn how to make it to the end of the month without running out of food.
You will save money, shop smart, save time in the kitchen, help picky eaters, learn new cooking skills.
Contact: Stacey Staab
Phone: 802-447-7582
Email: Stacie.staab@uvm.edu
Website: www.uvm.edu/extension
Time & Fee: Call for Details or Visit Website
Guiding Good Choices
Southshire Partnership for a Healthy Community
Proven effective drug prevention program that seeks to give parents the skills needed to help reduce their children’s risk for using alcohol and other drugs.
Contact: Glen Gross
Phone: 802-442-5491 (X254)
Ongoing referrals
For parents of children/ ages 9-14
Stipend provided to parents who attend
Workshops – 5/two hour sessions
Workshops run when enough participants are registered
Nurturing Parenting Program
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT)
Educational program for the whole family. At each session, adults and children take part in separate age appropriate activities as well as share food and family.
Contact: Heather Hinkley
Phone: 800-children time together.
Email: hhinkley@pcavt.org
Website: www.pcavt.org
Age: Open to All
Fee: None
Time: 2 ½ hrs/week (Call for Details or Visit Website) (For 9-23 wks)
Positive Discipline Training
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT)
Discussion on the following: shy do parents hit, high risk parenting behaviors, discipline: what it is and isn’t, and balancing it all.
Contact: Heather Hinkley
Phone: 800-children
Email: hhinkley@pcavt.org
Website: www.pcavt.org
Age: Open to All
Fee: None
Time: 2 hrs (Call for Details or Visit Website)
Rocking Horse Circle of Support
This is a support group for women and young children who are interested in building stronger and healthier families.
Contact: Yvonne or Kristie
Phone: 802-442-5491 (Ask for One of Above)
Date: Tuesday May 18, 2010
Time: 12:30-2:30pm
Location: United Counseling Service
1 Ledge Hill Drive, Bennington, VT
Instructors: Yvonne Ward, MA, Kristie Levitre, MS
Additional Information: Free childcare, gifts, snacks, and transportation
STEP Program – Systematic Training for Effective Parenting
Program for parents and others to learn communication skill, positive discipline techniques, ways to build self-esteem, and much more.
For parents of children ages 7-12 on referral basis
Contact: Penny Hawkins-Farrara
Phone: 802-442-5491 (X251)
Ongoing Fridays – 10am-Noon
Fee: coverage varies by insurer/Medicaid covers payment
Includes book and certification upon completion
Facilitated by Dr. Doris Russell
Vermont Family Matters
Bennington County Head Start
Program offered in Fall & Spring and ends with a week- end at the Stoweflake. Then groups meet locally for 6 months/16 hours. This is a healthy relationships curriculum for parents. Families will put together a service plan based on their needs. EX: budgeting, Offered in Spring & Fall counseling, or parenting
Contact: Julie Smith
Phone: 802-442-3686 (X239)
For parents of children ages 0-5
Eligibility: Must be a Head Start family
or meet Head Start income guidelines
Wit’s End Support Group
Southshire Partnership for a Healthy Community
Program for parents dealing with substance use and abuse issues with their children. Group is parent led, but also offers a licensed an AOD counselor to help answer questions and provide resource information.
Contact: Sue Mason
Phone: 802-442-5491 (X233)
Ages: All
Fee: Free
Group Meets Weekly
Family Planning / Prenatal / After Birth
Family Planning Class
Vermont Dept. of Health
Class exploring family planning options, new planning methods, new contraceptive methods, learn the safe and correct use of contraceptives, receive free gifts
Call to register: 802-447-3531
For: Open To All
Fee: None
Instructor: Betsy Browning, CNM
Prenatal Class
Vermont Dept. of Health
Preparing for the birth of your baby – what to expect during labor & delivery, relaxation & breathing techniques, communication with the birth team, free gifts, wear comfortable clothing, bring blanket & pillow.
Call to register: 802-447-3531
For : New moms & pregnant women
Fee: $40/no fee if on Medicaid
Instructors: Mary Jane Greenwood, RN ICEA
Angi Dornburgh, LNA CLC LCCE
Baby Care Basics
Vermont Dept. of Health
Learn proper care for your baby in their first day of life, as well as the feeding, bathing, cord care, circumcision care if boy, and calming a crying baby. Also receive information on car seats.
Call to register: 802- 447-3531
For: New moms & pregnant women
Fee: None
Instructors: Karen Rantilla, RN
Shannon McLaughlin-Carvajal, RN
Breast Feeding Class
Vermont Dept. of Health
Workshop covering the basics of breastfeeding such as the benefits for baby & mom, breast pumps & supplies, nursing in public, and the cost savings
Call to register: 802-447-3531
For: New moms & pregnant women
Fee: None
Instructor: Carol Pizzo, RN
Dads 101
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT)
Learn the basics of caring for a newborn. Basics include
diaper changing, bathing, SBS prevention, and crying.
Contact: Kay Shangraw, RN
Phone: 800-children
Website: www.pcavt.org
Age: New & Expectant Fathers
Fee: None
Time: Call for Details or Visit Website
Prenatal Smoking Class
Vermont Dept. of Health
Babies extremely against tobacco. (BEET)
Learn the facts on what tobacco can do to an unborn child as well as after the child is born
Call to register: 802-447-3531
For: New moms & pregnant women
Fee: None
Instructors: Kelly Davis, RN
Jacqui Truex-Greenslet
The Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Program
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT)
Trainings provide basic instruction to SBS, the cause and
outcomes of shaking a baby as well as why babies cry and how to console them.
Contact: Kay Shangraw, RN
Phone: 800-children
Website: www.pcavt.org
Age: Open to All
Fee: None
Time: Call for Details or Visit Website
Alcohol / Substance Abuse Support
Wit’s End Support Group
Southshire Partnership for a Healthy Community
Program for parents dealing with substance use and abuse issues with their children. Group is parent led, but also offers a licensed an AOD counselor to help answer questions and provide resource information.
Contact: Sue Mason
Phone: 802-442-5491 (X233)
Ages: All
Fee: Free
Group Meets Weekly
Sexual Abuse Support
Child to Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT)
Designed to promote adult understanding of children’s sexual behavior, as well as teach appropriate adult responses in order to intervene earlier in the development of sexually abusive patterns
Contact: Karen Holtz, RN
Phone: 800-children
Website: www.pcavt.org
Age: Open to All
Fee: None
Time: Call for Details or Visit Website
Understanding & Responding to the Sexual Behavior Of Children and Adolescents
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT)
Helps adults understand children’s sexual behavior in ways that will promote children’s healthy sexual development.
Contact: Karen Holtz, RN
Phone: 800-children
Website: www.pcavt.org
Age: Specific Groups
Fee: None
Time: 3 hrs (Call for Details or Visit Website)
Informed Supervision of juveniles Who have Sexually Offended
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT)
For professionals and caregivers providing supervision to children and adolescents who have a history of sexually abusive behavior.
Contact: Karen Holtz, RN
Phone: 800-children
Website: www.pcavt.org
Age: Professionals & Caregivers
Fee: None
Time: 2 hrs (Call for Details or Visit Website)
Families with Special Needs
Vermont Family Network
Offers live opportunity to talk with fellow parent about helping your special needs child. Help with special education and parent’s rights and offers tips on advocacy and parenting skills. Also offers workshops and conferences, lending library and info on funding opportunities.
Phone: 1-800-800-4005
Ages: All
For Educators, Physicians
Hospital Education for Maternity Services
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT)
Materials needed for healthcare providers to educate parents about safely caring for their newborns.
Contact: Kay Shangraw, RN
Website: www.pcavt.org
Age: Healthcare Providers & Nurses
Fee: None
Time: Call for Details or Visit Website
School Curriculum on SBS for Middle/High School curriculum.
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT)
Introduces SBS to students as part of their health education
Includes classroom discussion ideas, quizzes, and Elijah’s Story video.
Contact: None
Phone: 800-children
Website: www.pcavt.org
Age: Teachers
Fee: None
Time: Call for Details or Visit Website
Therapeutic Caregivers Role in Treatment of Juveniles Who Have Abusive Behavior
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT)
Participants learn to understand the rationale of meeting special needs beyond the role of normal parenting.
Contact: Karen Holtz, RN
Phone: 800-children
Website: www.pcavt.org
Age: Biological, Adoptive, & Foster Parents
Fee: None
Time: Call for Details or Visit Website
Grief Support
Bereavement Support Group
Visiting Nurse Association (VNA)
Group for adults grieving the death of someone close to them.
Finding comfort, coping skills, and support
Meetings: Tuesdays 1 – 2:30pm
Thursdays 6 – 7:30pm
Location: Second Congregational Church
Hillside Street
Bennington, VT.
Fee: None