Parents who have never attended a parenting program may need a "taste" before they commit to more involved sessions. Other parents do not have time to attend a series, but would like to participate in an abbreviated version. Blue Ribbon Parenting helps to meet those needs.

This programming model has been offered across the state of Indiana, usually as a parenting "mini-conference" with a keynote speaker and breakout sessions. It usually has been accompanied by a resource fair highlighting programs and services available in that community. Blue Ribbon Parenting is a program of Purdue Extension, but it is most successful when delivered in collaboration with other agencies and professionals in a community. A guidebook is available to Extension professionals to help them plan, deliver, and evaluate Blue Ribbon Parenting programs.

Results

Evaluations have shown that Blue Ribbon Parenting programs are valuable and make a difference.

• Almost all participants (91-100%) say they have learned new information.
• The most common complaint is that participants want to be able to attend more sessions.
• One school superintendent said, "I believe more success was realized with this program than any other parenting program in which I have been involved."

Participants report changing their behavior by:

• Being more specific and consistent with discipline
• Being creative with learning
• Changing homework rituals
• Talking with a principal about a problem with a teacher
• Being more realistic in goal-setting

Resources

• Blue Ribbon Parenting Guide
• Blue Ribbon Parenting Poster (welcome to modify)
• Blue Ribbon Parenting Name Tags (welcome to modify)
• Cover, County Program (welcome to modify)