Children First is a parent education program, utilizing one of four research-based curricula, depending on the parents' needs:

• Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) program (for parents with children 6—12 years)
  
• Early Childhood STEP program (for parents with children 1—6 years)
  
• Incredible Infants (expectant parents or parents with children up to 12 months)
  
• Nurturing Skills for Teen Parents (for teenaged parents)

The program is designed to improve parents' skills in interacting with their children, their understanding of their children's development, and their ability to cope with stress, to teach them appropriate (non-corporal) discipline techniques, and to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of child abuse. Children First is facilitated by the Education Coordinator to approximately 200 parents each year, since 1998.

To enroll in Children First, contact:

Leah Baker
540-344-3579 ext. 2
leah.baker@roact.org