Block of Hope Parents as Teachers

Hello and welcome to the Block of Hope Parents as Teachers Program better known as PAT. PAT is a free, voluntary family education and support program for parents of young children. The program is based on the beliefs that parents are their children’s first and most influential teachers, and that the early years lay the foundation for the children's success in school and in life.

PAT provides the information, support, and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life. The PAT model focuses on families with children from before birth to kindergarten entry, and includes these four components:

•          Personal/home visits by certified parent educators

•          Parent group meetings about early childhood development and parenting

•          Developmental and health screenings for young children

•          Linkages and referrals to community networks and resources

Benefits of the PAT Program

Why do we need Parents as Teachers?

Recent neuroscience research on brain development demonstrates how early experiences shape the way children learn, think, and behave for the rest of their lives. Parents play a critical role in providing these important experiences.

How does Pat help parents?

PAT focuses on the early years, prenatal through kindergarten entry, to help parents understand what to expect during each stage of their child's development. PAT-certified parent educators offer parents practical ways to encourage learning, manage challenging behavior, and promote strong parent-child relationships.

How does PAT help children?

In their beginning years, children learn more at a much faster pace than at any other time in their life. Through PAT, parents acquire the skills to help make the most of these crucial early-learning years. Later schooling cannot fully compensate for the lack of intellectual stimulation and emotional nurturing in the early years. Investing in good beginnings for children can pay long-term dividend for families, schools, and society.

How does PAT benefit your community?

When Parents as Teachers is implemented in a community, everyone benefits. Through the program, parents become familiar with their community resources and develop good relationships with them from the beginning. PAT positively impacts a community through:

•            children who experience personal and academic success,

•            parents who increase their confidence in their parenting skills,

•            school districts that develop good relationships with parents and enroll children who are readyfor school.

PAT Program Contact Forms

     Click Here: PAT Request Contact Form (WORD) 07-2007.doc

     Click Here: Spanish PAT Contact Form (WORD) 07-2007.doc

For More Information, please contact:

Ms. Benita Grant

office (252) 243-0777

fax (252) 243-6754

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Parents enjoy a day of fun with the PAT program Staff

PAT parent educator Angela Holder works with families during a meeting

PAT Staff from left to right:

Benita Grant, Program Coordinator

Angela Holder, Parent Educator

Emelina Marsh, Parent Educator