HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY – “How do you help families referred to DYFS who need parenting skill development, but who are already fearful or angry at the system?” The Bergen District Office (DO) of the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) came up with a creative answer to that problem almost seven years ago by partnering with the Bergen Crossroads Chapter of the American Red Cross to formulate parent education for at-risk families.

Viewing child abuse as a “disaster”, the American Red Cross had created its Family Resource Center in 1977 to help put a stop to child abuse, so this pairing helped meet their mission.

The program proved to be so successful that last year it was modified in conjunction with the Korean-American Family Love Counseling Center Inc., to aid Korean immigrant families in adjusting to the different cultural standards about discipline and to help them better understand the American education system. This year marked the first Spanish version of the program.

The EPIC (Every Parent Influences Children) program teaches parents a non-violent parenting method by increasing their knowledge and parenting skills, and thus their confidence as parents, which decreases the likelihood that they will lash out at their children.

Classes cover such topics as “Characteristics of an Effective Parent,” “Shaking, Hitting and Spanking: What to Do Instead,” “Promoting a Peaceful Environment at Home,” and “Coping with Daily Problems and Stress Management.” The classes run 12 weeks and are comprised of 10 to 13 people who may be single parents or couples from various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, and who live in Bergen County. Most attendees are referred by DYFS, although some clients come from other local agencies. In FY03, already 106 families have been served, an increase over the 72 DYFS families served last year.

The DYFS Bergen DO’s Resource Development Specialist, Marcia Gongora, says the program is proving to be successful, by the overwhelmingly positive responses to the end-of-the-program survey that participants fill out. “As part of the final survey, we ask participants to indicate at least three behavioral changes they are making in their interaction with their children. The most frequent responses are: an increase in listening to their child, a decrease in yelling to correct their child and a decrease in hitting for discipline. We view that as a major success,” said Gongora.

To reach the Division of Youth and Family Services Action Hotline, call 1-800-331-DYFS.

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