POSITIVE ACTION THROUGH COOPERATION: PAC Success Academies

Excitement builds as families, parent/caregivers, children and siblings gather at the YMCA for a challenging, enlightening day on the R.O.P.E.S. Course.

Does this sound like Leadership Florida or corporate America?  Well, we do use the same training techniques to build team spirit and trust in and among our families, but our focus isn't corporate America.

R.O.P.E.S training is scheduled early in the PAC Sessions.  This creates a sense of unity in participants.  Families meet twice weekly for instruction using "Redirecting Children's Behavior" as the selected curriculum.  Each evening begins with a healthy serving of a donated meal.  This is coupled with a time of sharing their success and challenges with the classroom instruction.

Adult Education Centers, Family Life Centers or community facilities make great locations for our classes.  We find many of our adults were not aware of the tremendous educational and job training opportunities available through adult education.  Our facilitators are able to walk them through the registration process and therefore off the family the potential for a better life through improved job skills.

PAC began under the direction of PEG (Partners for Educational Growth) of Florida.  You may notice a name change for PEG.  This is in keeping with our new focus on Family Literacy and collaboration among agencies which share our goal of strengthening families through education and improved communication skills.

PAC will present at state and regional conferences this year.  Also, we are planning a 3-day training specifically for those with interest in replicating the proven successful PAC Success Academies.  The training will include certification in Redirecting Children's Behavior (a-two day delivery and certification process) grant writing and resources for the layperson, and practical tips for implementation of PAC (day-to-day operation and format).

For information on PAC Success Academies and PAC Training, contact Brenda Glass, Executive Director, 727-264-0023, suncom 513-5308, fax 727-264-0025, email glasspeg@aol.com.