Family Services and Involvement Section (FSIS) has provided parenting classes for almost two decades. Ten years ago we expanded our services to include a Speakers Bureau to meet the need of groups requesting programs on parenting topics. Our fees are very reasonable.

Our Clients Our Speakers Our Programs Our Topics Customize a Parent Education Program Participant Comments Child Care Questions and Information

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Our Clients

Speakers Bureau programs are available to schools, faith communities, child-care facilities, community agencies, and other groups. FSIS customizes programs to meet clients' needs. Our staff works with clients to plan practical and useful programs at mutually agreed upon times and locations.

With more than 10 years of experience in design and presentation, our staff will provide guidance throughout all phases of your program - planning, implementation, and evaluation. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Businesses and government agencies that want to schedule on-site seminars for their employees should visit our Workplace Seminars site.

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Our Speakers

Our cadre of more than 60 speakers represents a diverse group of professionals with varied parenting, education, counseling, business, nursing, and multicultural backgrounds and experiences. Speakers are selected for their overall knowledge of the subject matter as well as their flexibility, philosophy, and presentation style. Our diversity is our strength and enables us to present information from a variety of perspectives.

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Our Programs

Our programs provide participants an opportunity to learn, discuss, and practice effective parenting skills through a variety of activities. Our speakers offer practical tips on parent/child relationships, child development, and school issues. They also facilitate group discussion and encourage peer support among participants.

Our programs are currently offered in Arabic, English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. We can also provide multicultural programs that cover a variety of culturally relevant issues relating to both home and school.

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Our Topics

A wide range of parenting issues and topics of interest are available to parents, family members, and caregivers. The two main areas covered by our programs are Family Involvement in School and Practical Parenting. Below are some of the single-session and multi-session programs that address participants' needs and interests:

Single-session programs include the following:

Family Involvement in School

parent-teacher conferences school success learning styles homework

Practical Parenting

child development discipline strategies family stress family communication raising healthy children conflict resolution

Multi-session programs include the following:

Active Parenting Today How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk Megaskills® Siblings Without Rivalry WorkSmarter, Not Harder: Incorporating Study Skills into a Child's Daily Routine STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) This video-based program combines tapes, support materials, activities, and group discussions to help understand their children and gain skills for effective parenting. Individual questions and concerns are addressed. The program is divided into three different classes, according to age and developmental needs. Early Childhood STEP (1-5 years) covers young children's physical and emotional development, misbehavior, parenting styles, self-esteem, discipline, and communication. STEP (5-11 years) covers encouragement, communication, discipline, misbehavior, consequences, developing responsibility, cooperation, self-esteem, and decision-making. STEP Teen (12-18) covers effective communication, discipline, self-esteem, developing responsibility, growing independence, curfews, dating, decision-making, alcohol-tobacco-drug use, career planning, and school work.

As part of the FSIS commitment to parent involvement and education, we are pleased to offer these and other parent-related programs on a variety of age-appropriate topics. We invite you to contact our office to schedule a speaker for your organization.

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Participant Comments

When asked on program evaluations "What part of the program did you find most helpful?" participants responded:

"The speaker's suggestion to focus on the necessary behavior changes in children and make little behavior changes at a time." "The speaker's empathetic view of teen issues, guided by common sense approach to guidelines in rearing teens." "Everything was excellent." "The information about listening and understanding children was helpful." "I thought the speaker was excellent. She was knowledgeable, genuine, and very good." "The resource list was quite helpful."

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Child Care

Child care is available for programs and meetings to support parent participation. This service is available at a reasonable cost to clients. Child care providers are professional caregivers who have undergone background checks and are approved to work with children. In addition to providing supervision, they engage the children in age-appropriate activities.

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Questions and Information

For more information about Speakers Bureau programs, child care, and fees, contact on of the following FSIS staff members:

Clusters I and VI	Ines Gianella	703-277-2641	ines.gianella@fcps.edu
Clusters II and III	Claudia Thomas	703-277-2664	claudia.thomas@fcps.edu
Clusters IV and V	Janice Mason	703-277-2642	Janice.mason@fcps.edu
Clusters VII and VIII	Burnette Scarboro	703-277-2661	burnette.scarborough@fcps.edu
Community or FCPS Central Office	Ann Ulmschneider	703-277-2631	ann.ulmschneider@fcps.edu

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