FULTON, NY – Program director Kevin Slimmer has announced that Joli McGrath and Savannah Spencer have joined Catholic Charities’ Parent Education Program.

They will serve as parent educators.

Director of Catholic Charities of Oswego County’s Parent Education Program, Kevin Slimmer welcomes new parent educators, Savannah Spencer (left) and Joli McGrath to the program.

The Parent Education Program, which is currently serving more than 50 families throughout Oswego County, provides in-home supportive outreach for families who are at risk of losing the their children to foster care or are attempting to reunite with their children.

Spencer, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Justice from SUNY Oswego, had previously worked at Liberty Resources as a day habilitation specialist and a youth specialist with the agency’s foster care program.

She is anxious to put her previous experience to work and help the families she will be working with.

“I am happy to be a part of this program,” said Spencer. “I enjoy the fact that I am able to meet with the parents weekly, in their own home, and work with them. I am able to see how the family lives and interacts and what issues needs to be addressed as I work in a non-judgmental way to make them better parents.”

As a parent educator, Spencer will also be involved with teaching the many parenting classes that the program hosts throughout the year.

“These classes are very beneficial as they are specifically designed for parenting children based on their ages and are offered free of charge to all parents who would like to attend. No matter how good a parent someone is, they can always learn something new and improve their parenting skills,” she said.

McGrath, who previously worked at the Air National Guard in Mattydale, received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Binghamton University.

Her background in psychology and her interest in helping others made the position of parent educator very appealing to her.

“I appreciate the hands-on aspect of this program,” said McGrath. “Being able to work with the parents in their own home allows me the opportunity to better assess their situation and makes them feel more comfortable and open to learning news ideas that will help improve their parenting skills. I am also looking forward to teaching the parenting classes. I enjoy helping people and these classes are filled with valuable ideas and strategies that will help improve anyone’s parenting skills.”

Slimmer is pleased to be able to welcome the new parent educators and appreciates the talents that they each bring to the program.

“Savannah’s past experience with Liberty Resources’ foster care program and Joli’s background in psychology will prove to be valuable assets to our program. Their caring nature and willingness to help others will serve them well as they work one on one with the parents and their families, to teach them valuable parenting skills that will help families develop stronger, healthier relationships,” he said.

For more information on Catholic Charities of Oswego County’s Parent Education Program, call Slimmer at 598-3980.

Catholic Charities of Oswego County serves all people in need regardless of their religious affiliation.

Primary funding sources for Catholic Charities of Oswego County’s programs are the County of Oswego, the United Way of Greater Oswego County, the Diocesan Hope Appeal and private donations by individuals and local companies and organizations.

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