Program aims to help parents

By BEN SELLERS

Positive parenting and pizza go well together.

That's been the philosophy for 17 years at the Rappahannock Area Council for Children and Parents.

With its Circle of Parents program, RACCAP offers seven weekly dinner meetings in Fredericksburg and surrounding counties for families that are feeling that extra friction.

"We act as a coach in many ways, showing techniques and encouraging parents to use those techniques," said RACCAP Executive Director Julie Rivnak-McAdam.

The main problem RACCAP deals with is discipline, encouraging parents to use nonviolent methods like time-outs or revoking privileges, said Rivnak-McAdam.

Positive reinforcement is another point of emphasis, she added.

"A lot can be done with praise and modeling behaviors, especially among the younger [children]. Their behavior can be turned around very dramatically by using some positive techniques."

The confidential support groups begin each meeting with dinner donated by Domino's, Papa John's and Sam's Pizza in Spotsylvania County. They then break off into separate programs for children and parents.

In the past year, 117 parents and 204 children participated in the Circle of Parents program. Though the group does get referrals from other agencies, it is open to all families, said Rivnak-McAdam.

"It really is for any parent who feels that they could use some help with parenting skills and some support."

Next month, RACCAP hopes to add an eighth group, for Spanish-speaking families. It has hired two bilingual staff members and is seeking additional bilingual volunteers to facilitate the meetings.

"I think that's gonna open up a whole new horizon for us in terms of issues and things to work through," said Rivnak-McAdam.

RACCAP also has more than 20 different pamphlets on parenting, and provides speakers on topics that include child-abuse prevention, positive parenting techniques and stress management.

"I haven't met one parent who thinks they can do it all and do it successfully," said Rivnak-McAdam.

"I think everybody at some point realizes that there are challenges, and Circle of Parents is there to help parents with those challenges."

To reach BEN SELLERS:540/374-5423
Email: bsellers@freelancestar.com

How to help

As with most charitable organizations, the best way for people to help the Rappahannock Area Council for Children and Parents is with their checkbooks.

Though the group receives funding from the United Way and various grants, RACCAP needs $50,000 in private, tax- deductible donations in order to maintain and expand its programs in the coming year.

In addition, it relies heavily on volunteer support in its weekly Circle of Parents meetings and behind the scenes.

"Volunteers can be for the children's program or the adult program, and even some on our board to do fundraising," said RACCAP Executive Director Julie Rivnak-McAdam.

Businesses can help by putting up one of the organization's brochure displays.

RACCAP also appreciates in-kind gifts of office and program supplies, as well as paper plates and other disposable dinnerware for the meetings. It is particularly grateful to the restaurants that donate five to six pizzas per group for the seven weekly meetings.

"Otherwise we'd be spending lots of money on pizza--our pizza budget would be about $600 per week," said Rivnak- McAdam.

For more information on RACCAP, call 540/ 785-6217.

--Ben Sellers

Date published: 12/31/2006

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