Parents as Teachers (PAT) staff used a connecting toy building system to illustrate the premise of the Connections Matter: Developing Brain, Relationships, and Community Initiative on Monday, January 23rd at their monthly staff meeting. Deb Shubat, FaDSS supervisor, presented the training.

The training showed the PAT staff members how they can help connect the children and families they serve to improve their life situations, such as improved mental ability and overall health, and the staff also learned about how to be connected citizens to improve members of their own community.

Connections truly do matter for the success of every person. Research shows that having at least one deep personal, caring relationship with someone who believes in you, whether a parent, grandparent, friend, relative, helps us learn better, work better, and parent better. 

Our next Connections Matter training will be held for the community in Centerville, IA in March. Come learn how you can help build connections in your community!