Home visiting through Rockford Public Schools is a free service provided to families in the Rockford School District boundaries. Visits are completed in the home weekly for 8 weeks, and then bi-weekly through the duration of the program. Visits help a family to understand their child’s development and offer fun, age-appropriate activities that parents can do with their child. The goal is to support a parent with the concept of play as the basis for a child’s learning. As well as the parents being their child’s first and most important teacher.
Ms. Kenisha states, “As a parent educator, I am honored to walk with families as they navigate and encounter the joys and challenges of their children and families. Meeting a family where they are at has shown to be critical for me in working and partnering with families closely; being trusted. Being invited into a family's home; their personal space. There is something to be said when you have a front row seat while watching the positive changes in parenting, changes in the children's development, and changes in a family's life circumstances that unfold over time. That has been deeply inspirational to me”. Ms. Miriam agrees, “Being a parent educator is an enriching experience every day. Providing information to parents in various areas also allows me to learn from the parents and the parents to teach their children. It's a contribution and investment in the community. Families who participate in our program make a difference wherever they are. Children who transition from our program are ready to learn better when they begin their formal education”.