FULTON, NY – Program supervisor Andrea Burritt has announced that Shawna Angotti has joined the staff of Catholic Charities of Oswego County.
Angotti will serve as an intensive parent educator with the agency’s Parent Education Program currently serving more than 50 families throughout Oswego County.
Catholic Charities’ Parent Education Program provides in-home supportive outreach for families who are at risk of losing their children to foster care or are attempting to reunite with their children.
Angotti, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in Syracuse, previously worked as a childcare worker at Elmcrest Children’s Center in Syracuse.
As a childcare worker, Angotti provided supervision for children designated for placement. Her experience with children and her concern for their welfare will serve her well in her new role with the Parent Education Program.
As an intensive parent educator, Angotti will provide intensive, short-term, home based, crisis intervention services offering families in crisis the alternative to remain safely together, averting the out-of-home placement of children whenever possible and to return children home as soon as possible.
The intensive program combines skill based intervention with maximum flexibility so that services are available to families according to their unique needs.
Among other services, family members may receive individual and family supportive counseling, parenting education, child development training, household maintenance education, nutritional training, job readiness training, and referral to other community resources.
Angotti’s primary focus will be assisting families in managing crisis and restoring them to an acceptable level of functioning.
“It’s very interesting and challenging work,” said Angotti. “I have worked primarily with children, but this position gives me the opportunity to do something I’ve always wanted to do, see things from the other side. As an intensive parent educator, this will give me the necessary insight to help families overcome the various issues that they may encounter to help them function as a healthy family unit.”
Angotti also serves as an advocate as she helps them access other programs that will compliment her efforts.
“My goal is for the families I work with to become better than they were when we started so that they can successfully handle the responsibility of being an effective parent. I also hope to help them improve their independent living skills and help them breakdown whatever emotional, financial, and physical barriers they may be facing,” she added.
Angotti will also be involved with teaching the many parenting classes that the program hosts throughout the year.
These classes are specifically designed for parenting children based on their ages.
The facilitators will focus on safety issues and improving parenting skills.
Burritt is happy to welcome Angotti to the program.
“Our Parent Education Program provides a vital service for our community. Shawna’s experience with children and her desire to enhance the families capabilities will help strengthen the lives of the families that she works with,” said Burritt.
For more information, call Burritt at 598-3980.
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