A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Black Hills Parent Resource Network
Black Hills Special Services Foundation

The Black Hills Parent Resource Network (PRN) is being developed through the collaboration of numerous stakeholders to establish and coordinate a system of information and supports that enhance parents' efforts to nurture their children's growth and development, and to connect families with professionals and resources in a way that supports the roles of parents as teachers, learners, and parents.

PRN spans a seven county area in western South Dakota. Child poverty in these counties ranges from 25 to 32%. Sixteen percent of the families in the region are Native American. The Black Hills Parent Resource Network establishes a comprehensive system of information and resources for all parents and children throughout the Black Hills through four components of service delivery:

1. Information System
   PRN, in collaboration with the Northern Hills Interagency Council (NHIC), expands upon the efforts by NHIC to develop a resource information database that gives service providers accurate information regarding the availability of resources to meet the total needs of children and families. The system is designed to allow multiple pathways for accessing information.

2. Parents as Teachers (PAT)
   Over the past few years, nearly 175 children have been served through a PAT program in Rapid City and the Northern Hills. Through PRN, the PAT services are being made available to 400 to 500 children and families in the Black Hills area. Training for additional PAT Parent Educators is provided through the Missouri PAT.

3. Parent Information, Education, and Training
   PRN is implementing additional strategies to extend resources available to parents. These strategies include group parent education programs, newsletters, and print and video resources. Training programs will respond to a community needs assessment and cover a range of topical issues relevant to students of all ages.

4. Site-Based and Mobile Parent/Child Resource Centers
   A Rapid City Referral Center is being established and is housed within the Family Opportunity Training Center (FOTC). This center combines job training programs, child care, and Even Start Family Literacy programs, among others. While this center will serve urban areas, a mobile center provides assistance to rural areas. In addition, schools may serve as sites for mobile center locations.

Collaborators:

• Northern Hills Interagency Council
• 12 Local School Districts
• Family Opportunity Training Center (FOTC)
• BHSS Cooperative

Director:
Mary Baumeister
Black Hills Special Services
Foundation
P.O. Box 218
Sturgis, SD 57785
Telephone: (605) 347-4467
Fax: (605) 347-5223
Award: $436,267
Affiliation: PAT

-###-

[Community Action Southwest]

[NashvilleREAD, Inc.]