Parents Leading the Way: Our Parents as Teachers Parent Advisory Committee

Parents as Teachers (PAT) is built on a simple but powerful belief: parents are their child’s first and most important teachers. At the heart of this work is parent voice. Through our Parent Advisory Committee (PAC), families partner with us to guide, shape, and strengthen our PAT program, bringing their leadership, lived experience, and community connections to the table.

PAC members support program planning and quality improvement, contribute to outreach, and often assist at family-friendly events such as Drive-In Movie Night, Kids in the Kitchen, and the Family Formal Dance. They have also planned and led four Mom’s Night Out events—Spa Edition, Yogalates, Fitness Fusion, and Water Coloring—creating opportunities for moms around the community to connect, care for themselves and each other, and have fun. Their involvement helps ensure our services reflect the true needs and voices of families in our community.

Parent voice matters because parents know what families need most. Their perspectives keep our work relevant, inclusive, and responsive. When parents are invited to lead and share their experiences, programs grow stronger, and families thrive.

Member Spotlight

Being part of the PAC offers parents opportunities to build leadership skills, connect with other parents, grow in confidence, and give back to their community.

Here is a spotlight on one PAC member’s story:

Flavia Ziarnik moved to the U.S. from Brazil in 2018. When she and her husband welcomed their first child, Sophie, in 2022, they were parenting far from extended family. After hearing about the program through their Welcome Baby visit at the hospital, Flavia found connection, encouragement, and guidance through the Family Resource Center’s Parents as Teachers home visiting program. Once enrolled in PAT, their family began exploring other opportunities also available to parents through the Family Resource Center. Bring Your Own Baby (BYOB) and Bitty Book Club quickly became their family’s favorite play groups.

Flavia valued many of the opportunities offered through Parents as Teachers and felt inspired to become more involved in supporting the program and serving families in the community. During a Bitty Book Club playgroup, she came across a flyer inviting parents to join the Parent Advisory Committee, and she decided to take the next step.

She shared,

“Being part of the Parent Advisory Committee has been a truly empowering and enriching experience. Through this committee, I’ve gained so much both personally and as a parent.”

Over the past year, Flavia’s involvement on the committee has created meaningful benefits for both the broader community and her own family.

Participation in the Parent Advisory Committee offers parents:

• A stronger voice in decisions that affect families
• A sense of belonging and community
• Increased confidence as a parent leader
• A deeper understanding of local community resources
• Opportunities to advocate for the needs of families
• Personal growth and fulfillment

As Flavia reflected,

“The PAC has shown me that my experiences and ideas matter—and that I can make a positive impact.”

 

 

 

 

Please joining us in recognizing and thanking all of our current dedicated members who play an important role in our Parent Advisory Committee: Natalie Jensema, Kate Lopez, April Roerdink, Patti Kearns, Katie Knoll, and Martina Pickens. Their time, insight, and commitment help improve our program and the families we serve.

 

 

 

 

How Parents Can Get Involved

Our Parent Advisory Committee is currently seeking new members! All parents are welcome, whether or not they have previously participated in Parents as Teachers. We are seeking parents who want to support families and help strengthen the programs and community partnerships of the FRC. If you are interested in sharing your voice and helping shape the future of our PAT program, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to Melissa Udovich, PAT Program Supervisor at mudovich@frc-sc.org, to learn more about upcoming meetings and opportunities.

We are grateful for the parents who step forward, share their experiences, and help guide our work. Together, we are building stronger families, stronger programs, and a stronger community.

“Ultimately, when parent voices are elevated, children benefit academically, socially, and emotionally, making parent involvement a powerful investment in long term success.” – Flavia Ziarnik