Parental Involvement “It Takes Two” in 2010

[William Jackson]

“...parents must keep reminding their children about how important they are.”
Archie Talley

Parental Involvement “It Takes Two” in 2010 – Educate – Encourage - Empower

PI gets center stage in intensive dialogues that involves parents and insightful input
from teens. In recent months of 2009 focuses of attention centered on parental
involvement as a key component to the development of children. PI and Absent
Parental issues of Infant Mortality by parents involved in new initiatives for
children and their survival the first three years of their life.

Florida Charts Maternal and Child Health
http://www.floridacharts.com/charts/Domain2.aspx?Domain='03'

The initiative; Real Talk.. Real Change, Parental Involvement forum; “It Takes Two”
Due to higher statistical evidence of infant mortality in Duval county and the direct
relationship between involvement by both mother and father from conception to birth,
from birth to adulthood, and the developmental process

(http://www.jcci.org/jcciwebsite/documents/2008%20QOL-color%20versio...)
access page 40 on Teen Pregnancy.

Charlotte Clark-Rowe President of E3 Jacksonville Chapter and advocate for teen
mothers (The Jacksonville Birthing Project) has witnessed first-hand through her
work the affects of both positive and negative involvement. Mrs. Clark-Rowe
experience in this field more than qualified her to be the moderator and guiding |
force that directed the 3 panelists who provided incite and wisdom from their
knowledge in respected fields.

To view this and other videos concerning these issues go to the E3 Facebook
Social Network site.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdw6mRda-_0
Everything starts with parents

The panelists were:
Patty Page
BB&T banking in Jacksonville, Florida
Roshanda Jackson
Program Director of Families and Children Intervention Program
William Jackson
Educator in DCPS and past instructor with Edward Waters College,
Florida State College and the Florida Department of Education

The dialogue was thought provoking, emotionally charged, providing clarity
on the effects a parents absence has on their children. There were testimonies
of personal life experiences growing up in single parent homes, foster care,
being raised by grand-parents and the challenges by parents of raising children
as single fathers, single mothers along with having both parents in the home.
Each has unique experiences that transcended racial and socioeconomic boundaries.

Studies in Duval County have shown from JCCI
(www.jcci.org/jcciwebsite/snapshot/atlas.html)
data that minorities are disproportionately affected by infant mortality, but it
also touches other cultures and economic levels that are experiencing an absent
parent or parental neglect. “Money cannot replace the love a parent shows their
child”, that includes gifts used to replace time spent with children establishing
a meaningful relationship.

In attendance were several teens who commented on the challenges of being
in a single parent household. Nick McClenton, an entrepreneur, graduate of
Raines High School (08), student at Florida State College, is also the official
E3 Facebook developer (www.e3businessgroup.org). He attributed his success
as a graduate of Raines High School and in business to his older brothers and
mother who were also graduates of Raines High School. Nick explains that
they (his family) support his efforts to succeed and guides him away from
trouble. His family has a strong bond that supports education, communication
and family values. Crystal (the daughter) of panelist Roshonda Jackson gave
accolades to her mother as a role model and possessing a strong spiritual belief
system and how the choices and stability in her Mom’s life has positively
impacted the choices she is making in her life as a teenager. Still other young
adults shared similar sentiments to their parents thanking them for providing
leadership with firm and loving discipline and the importance of a strong
spiritual relationship within their churches.

The dialogue in the focus forum “Parental Involvement, It Takes 2”, a dialogue
on the importance of having 2 parents involved in the lives of children, key to
their social, emotional and psychological development. Contributions by both
parents shape the developmental aspects of children that ultimately aides to
determent their focus in life. It is widely known what parents value, their children
will emulate, if parents value education and learning then the children will have
a thirst for learning, this is witnessed in our schools by teachers and administrators.
If a parent values counterproductive behavior to social morals and values their
children may follow similar actions. In 2009 there were over 100 murders and
hundreds of acts of other types of violence, most were committed by young
adults and teens. So the question is what involvement does the impact of parents
have in the decision making of these young people?

From Jacksonville.com story on deaths in Jacksonville, Florida
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-01-01/story/top_jacksonvill...

The question arises does an environment of trust consistency, dialogue and
high expectations from both parents make a difference? Fathers that model
good behavior, respect for learning and accountability for ones actions, do these
transfer over to their children, studies suggest yes. Statistics from Cage Consulting:
Approximately 86% of all men in jail and 98% of all men on death row were raised
by one parents – their mothers.

From Jacksonville.com article concerning fathers
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/letters_from_readers/2009-09-14/sto...

The success of a village starts in individual homes, when homes are not stable then
the village is unstable and susceptible to intrusion by undesirable actions such as
drugs, prostitution, crime and the psychological mentality that education is a waste
of time and that honest employment is not desired. Statistics show that a disproportionate
number of homes where single parents reside, and there is little or no parental involvement
by fathers and mothers lends to children having opportunities that may be detrimental
to the stability of their communities. This is not just a Black issue, but a multicultural issue
for our community.

Coordinated efforts should continue and be increased to support families and
their stability. Support through parental strategies for both men and women that center
on key components. Communication, Respect, Sacrifice, Time management, Money
management, Continued educational growth, Counseling when needed and Employment.

2010 offers continued dialogue and interaction for parents and families to grow and strengthen.
E3 Business Group Jacksonville, Florida Chapter www.e3businessgroup.org
For membership information contact: Rich Stewart [phone] x117
Charlotte Clark- Rowe - Jacksonville Birthing Project [phone] x124
Roshanda Jackson - The Family & Children Intervention Program [phone]
Ronald Cage – Cage Consulting - Certified Master Trainer [phone]
William Jackson – Official Blogger for E3 Business Group
www.jacksonville.com/interact/blog/william_jackson

This and past forums are sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida,
a leader in community development initiatives.
Forums are held at MOCA Jacksonville www.mocajacksonville.org