MCH Family Outreach in Waco offers free parenting classes at McLennan Community College

Staff from MCH Family Outreach if Waco recently wrapped up its first parenting class as part of continuing education at McLennan Community College (MCC). The class, Connected Caregiver, was a success and will be followed up later this summer by a class covering Circle of Security® Parenting™ program.

“Working with MCC has been incredibly positive,” said Brooke Davilla, director of MCH Family Outreach in Waco. “In partnering with MCC we are able to reach the broader Waco community. MCC has been supportive and eager to share our mission with others. At MCH Family Outreach we are always looking for creative ways to serve and engage our local community.”

The parenting classes are appropriate for anyone who is a caregiver for children and youth including parents, teachers, or childcare professionals. Participants learn about trauma-informed and evidence-based practices that will help them better understand behaviors and connect with children.

One class participant, Lori Colunga, decided to attend the Connected Caregiver class after hearing about it through her church. A former teacher, Colunga volunteers for a reading mentorship program where she works with children in Waco schools. She said she has learned a lot about how relationships can factor into children’s ability to interact and learn.

“We’re hearing about how important those connections are,” Colunga said. “If you don’t have those personal connections, the brain is not turned on for anything.”

Connected Caregiver classes ran through June, and Circle of Security classes will be Aug. 6 through Sept. 10 on Monday evenings. Circle of Security is a program that helps parents and caregivers better understand their child’s needs. Facilitators will work with parents and caregivers to better understand a child’s emotions, support their ability to manage those emotions, enhance their self-esteem, and honor the innate wisdom and desire for the child to be secure. 

To sign up for the free class, click here to visit the McLennan Community College website.

Ana Chatham, case manager for MCH Family Outreach in Waco,
facilitates a Connected Caregiver class at MCC.