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Evins Provides Parenting and Paternity Classes

Evins Regional Juvenile Center Family Liaison Elva Benitez introduced the Parenting and Paternity Awareness (p.a.p.a.) curriculum to eight youth at the facility who are young fathers.  Key themes in the curriculum focus on the importance of father involvement, the value of paternity establishment, the legal realities of child support, the financial and emotional challenges of single parenting, the benefits of both parents being involved in a child’s life, healthy relationship skills, and relationship violence prevention.

Mrs. Benitez said she hopes the program will provide the youth with tools that will help them be good responsible parents when they leave TJJD and are reunited with their children.  The 10-week course consists of weekly classes and is optional for the youth.  During their first class, Mrs. Benitez went around the room and each youth was asked to introduce themself and give their child’s first name.  Youth Raman, who is a soon to be father, said, “My son is due soon-as early as next month and I’m very happy about it and I want to learn as much as I can.”

The p.a.p.a. curriculum was originally developed by the Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division and has been in use in Public Schools since 1995.

PHOTO: Elva Benitez discusses the privilege and responsibility of parenting with Evins youth.

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