Forty Carrots’ Parenting Program delivers free and sliding scale parenting education and mental health services throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The program builds Protective Factors to prevent abuse and neglect, additionally impacting school readiness by equipping parents to be their child’s first teacher and providing a high quality early childhood learning environment for children who may not otherwise experience it. Professionally trained Parenting Educators and Licensed Therapists travel throughout our community to bring free services to families from all walks of life. Strong alliances with other community agencies make it possible for Forty Carrots to reach a variety of families. For example, teen parents participate at their high school. Mothers and children fleeing abuse receive services at SPARCC’s residential shelter. Families throughout the Sarasota and Manatee communities can access classes at 8 Sarasota County libraries and 6 Manatee County libraries.

In the 2017-2018 program year, goals include:

w 90% of parents/caregivers participating in parenting education classes will report a better understanding of their child’s behavior and growth (which relates to setting developmentally appropriate expectations and limits, shown by research to be a Protective Factor against abuse and neglect).

w 90% of adults participating in mental health groups will report increased skills to better handle future problems (which relates to parental resilience, shown by research to be a Protective Factor against abuse and neglect).

w 90% of expecting and postpartum mothers will report feeling more supported in their role as a parent (which relates to reduced isolation and increased social connections, shown by research to be a Protective Factor against abuse and neglect).

w 90% of parents/caregivers participating in Partners In Play in public libraries report implementing activities at home to help their child learn.

This is a prevention and intervention program with effects that ripple through the life of the parent, the child and our community.  Studies have shown that the positive outcomes of parenting programs are extensive. One researcher, Richard Barth, asserts that “improved parent training is the most important goal in child abuse prevention.” Approximately 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse (www.childhelp.org), and this program aims to break this cycle. Due to resource restrictions, Forty Carrots is not able to follow families for many years to document the life-long impact of services. However, the agency relies on research analysis used by the US Department of Health and Human services and others that indicates the best chance of long-term success is to impact the short term indicators.

A self-reporting tool is given to parents to complete at the end of a series of classes. The target measurement for each outcome is that at least 90% of parents participating in evaluations will report increased knowledge, skills, and support as described above since attending the program.

The program aims to not only increase knowledge, but also change behavior.   When asked what they are doing differently as a result of this program, participants’ responses include:

“I am doing more floor time, tummy time and just holding and loving on my baby. I am also singing to my baby.” – Mother recovering from addictions

“I am thinking positively about my future and feeling better knowing I’m not the only teen parent with problems.” – Teen mother recovering from trauma

“I feel like I came from a dysfunctional house and this class helped me remove myself from all of that and focus on the children’s needs better.” – Mother in a domestic violence shelter

“I am managing stress better, and giving myself “time-outs” if needed. I am also learning alternative ways to discipline.” – Homeless mothers at Salvation Army

“I have created a dedicated phone free time with my son and have learned how things like singing quietly instantly calms a baby/toddler.” – Parent in Partners In Play class

The goal of The Preschool at Forty Carrots is to prepare children for success in school and in life. At Forty Carrots, the whole child – social-emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development - is nurtured through a developmentally appropriate curriculum where learning standards and high quality play work together with support from qualified educators. Highly trained teachers balance guided and self-directed learning standards to set the scene for literacy, mathematics, science and technology, social studies and the arts as well as positive relationships (caring, sharing, cooperating) and self-esteem. Graduates leave with the social skills, academic knowledge and love for learning that set the stage for future success. Accreditation by The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) signifies that the Preschool implements best practices and consistently achieves the highest quality in meeting children’s developmental and early learning needs.

Research confirms that quality early childhood education has long-term benefits to both individual children and society as a whole. At a time when a child's brain circuits are being built, quality programs providing positive learning experiences; supportive, growth-promoting environments create a stronger foundation for later achievement. Children who attend high-quality programs tend to score higher on math and reading tests, are less likely to repeat a grade, drop out of school, or get into trouble with the law in the future. Studies document that every dollar invested in early childhood programs generates a return of $3 to more than $17 in reduced special education costs, less grade repetition, higher adult earnings, more tax revenues, and reduced crime rates. Forty Carrots lacks the resources to track long-term outcomes for all of its students, but after more than 20 years of educating students we can say anecdotally that Forty Carrots graduates reflect these national findings.

In addition to the monitoring by the Department of Children and Families required by law, Forty Carrots is voluntarily assessed by the far more rigorous National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) - the world’s largest organization of early childhood professionals. The Preschool at Forty Carrots is one of only two childcare centers in Sarasota accredited by NAEYC.  NAEYC standards and accreditation criteria are based are evidence-based and aligned with the profession’s collective knowledge of best practices.  NAEYC has set 10 standards for early childhood programs that can ensure quality. To earn accreditation, programs must meet all 10 standards in the areas of: Relationships, Curriculum, Teaching, Child Progress, Health, Teachers, Families, Community Relationships, Physical Environment, and Leadership/Management. The Preschool at Forty Carrots has been accredited by NAEYC continually since 2008.

In the words of families:

"I cannot begin to tell you the difference that Forty Carrots has made in our daughter’s development into a fully socialized, caring young person with a love of learning that I’m sure will accompany her throughout her life. Every day when we pick her up she displays an enormous amount of joy in the day she has just experienced and comes home with a feeling of discovery and achievement. We sincerely thank you for making this possible for our daughter."

“From the beginning, we’ve been so impressed by the exceptional learning environment Forty Carrots provides to each family. Most importantly, we cannot express our tremendous appreciation to each staff member at Forty Carrots who has helped our son grow and flourish over the past year. We are grateful each of you and our commitment to early childhood education. Thank you for being an extension of our family and helping us to raise him into the best person he can be!”