The Rochester Area Parent Program (RAPP) completed its 10th group for parents and caregivers of young children this school year. Almost 100 parents participated in the program in collaboration with childcare centers, city school district sites, shelters for the unhoused and formerly incarcerated parents, and two groups of parents who were self-referred. Some of the stories are amazing.

• One mom came to get her tablet and supplies with her two sons. She signed up and received a tablet in a group last year but was taken to jail unexpectedly on an outstanding warrant, once again losing custody of her boys. She invested in RAPP again this spring while living in a shelter for 45 days. She was glad to try again.
• One mom had a child pass away one week before the first RAPP group she had signed up to join. The RAPP facilitator reached out to introduce herself without any knowledge of the situation. The mom had forgotten about RAPP but was pleased to hear that she could participate in the online modules without joining the Zoom classes, a modification made on her behalf. She felt strongly that she needed to strengthen her parenting skills during this difficult time on behalf of her 4-year-old surviving child.  That mom completed all 6 modules of online learning.
• One dad joined his first RAPP Zoom meeting and reported to his facilitator that because he was neurodivergent, was too overwhelmed to continue in any Zoom meetings. He wanted to drop out of the class. The facilitator followed up numerous times encouraged him to stay off the Zoom meetings but to participate in the online modules. Eventually, he logged in and began them. Within that hour he texted his facilitator saying, “I’ve completed one module, and I actually can say out loud that I learned something…. I just wanted to report that I actually am learning something. Thank you again for the opportunity.” That dad completed all six online modules of learning.
• RAPP completed its first Spanish online group, hosting the national pilot of the program and it was a thriving success. The newly trained parent RAPP facilitator did a terrific job leading the parents through the online sessions with over 90% attendance and 100% completion of the online modules from active participants. Ibero, its host site, has over 25 parents on the waitlist who are ready to join the next groups!
• RAPP piloted its first-ever group with participants who provided their own devices and internet access. In collaboration with the Rochester City School District and its Office of Parent Engagement the group was a self-proclaimed success with a 90% attendance rate and 99% module completion.

The flexibility of RAPP to meet parents where they are is powerful. Parents come and invest in their families in whatever capacity they can manage. The program meets them where they are. Parents take away strategies, ideas, friendships, and powerful experiences and lessons that can literally change the legacy of a family. The facilitators are the magic sauce. Trust becomes real. Lessons make sense. People feel encouraged. Parents build confidence and skills. Families get stronger.

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