Estrella's Parent Services Project (PSP) is our approach to parent involvement and family support. This approach is based upon the recognition that the well-being and sense of significance of parents are of central importance to the development of children. We believe families and parents are the most important people in a child's life. The well-being of the family is the key to the well-being of the child. One of the most important ways to care for children is to take steps to assure the well-being of their parents.

Accordingly our PSP is based upon our parent�s self-defined needs. It is rooted in a set of principles that understands parents as competent and possessing strengths. We view parents as assets to be worked with and as important teachers in their children's lives. These principles guide the program's activities, inspire the actions of our parents and staff, and serve as a standard by which program quality is defined.

Estrella's PSP is designed to meet the needs of our families: single-parent, working, of diverse ethnic backgrounds, in training, and vulnerable because of high stress brought on by poverty, poor housing and lack of security. The goal of the project is to raise parent's sense of importance, diminish feelings of isolation, increase their parenting skills and help then secure the resources they need for themselves and their children.

Estrella's PSP is an approach to parent involvement that integrates family support principles and services, but it is not simply a parent education program. It is a program designed to develop an interactive social network of parents that is driven by our parents, their wants and their needs. Part of PSP's purpose is to give parents the opportunity to relax, socialize and have fun. The activities that emerge grow from and reflect the culture of our agency as well as the specific needs and ethnic and cultural contexts of the families involved.

Our PSP works on the concept of shared leadership. Each Fall at our Parent Wish Night a menu of services and activities is developed collaboratively by parents and agency staff. Participants make their own choices about their involvement during the year. Our PSP coordinators build relationships and enthusiasm for the program. They do not do the program for parents, but rather support parents in organizing the activities they want. Services have included health workshops, cooking nights, bingo games, community service referrals, training in parenting skills, social gatherings and family outings.