COLLEGE STATION — The Texas Department of Health was one of seven organizations that received a Partnership Award from the Texas Agricultural Extension Service at the State Extension Conference here July 16.
The award recognized collaborations with Extension that have had far-reaching, positive impacts on the quality of life of Texans.
Grants from the health department totaling nearly $900,000 since 1991 have supported the Partners for Parenting program, which trains volunteers to work with parents of children ages 5 and below to strengthen parenting skills, primarily among low-income families. Through the partnership with TDH, a parenting curriculum library with more than 225 curricula has been developed and more than 4,450 Master Parent Volunteers have been trained. Volunteers trained through the program have worked with more than 200,000 parents in Texas, said Dr. Dorothy James, Extension family life specialist.
“The Partnership Award is a significant recognition because it signifies the important role of other agencies and organizations as we work together to address the needs of the people,” said Dr. Edward A. Hiler, vice chancellor for agriculture and Extension Service director. “In a nutshell, these folks help us do our jobs better.”
TDH has printed and provided, in both Spanish and English, thousands of fact sheets, newsletters and related materials for parents. The department also has provided health materials and funding for Master Parent Volunteer Training and Parent Education workshops. The Extension Service and TDH have worked closely to move the program forward, believing that proactive parent education can build stronger families and prevent child abuse, James said.
“The agencies and organizations we are recognizing with the Partnership Award are key players in supporting our programs in outreach education,” said Dr. Chester P. Fehlis, associate vice chancellor and deputy director of the Extension Service. “Working together, we are able to capitalize on the synergy that benefits both the organizations involved and the customers we serve.”
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