Harrison-Marion Parents as Teachers

10/29/2026

October may be coming to an end, but safe sleep happens every day. 💙
Every nap.
Every night.
Every caregiver.
Every time.

Remember:
👶 Alone, but nearby
💙 On their Back
🛏️ In a safe Crib

Safe sleep doesn’t have to be complicated. Building safe sleep practices into your family’s everyday routine can help make them second nature.
At Harrison-Marion Parents as Teachers, our parent educators work alongside families to provide information, answer questions, and support parents as they navigate all the little and big moments of raising a child.

💬 Finish this sentence in the comments: “One thing I learned about safe sleep is __________.”

And if this month’s information helped you, share this post with another parent or caregiver.
💙

🔗 Keep these trusted safe sleep resources handy all year long:

NIH Safe to Sleep®
https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/safe-sleep

CDC Safe Sleep Guidance
https://www.cdc.gov/sudden-infant-death/sleep-safely/index.html

Learn how to help babies sleep safely.

10/26/2026

Happening this Saturday 10/31/26

10/26/2026

Happening this Tuesday

Looking for opportunities to connect with other families and caregivers?

Join The Arc of Illinois' Family Support Group on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This virtual group is for parents, family members and caregivers of loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Each meeting provides an opportunity to explore important topics and connect with:

- Others who truly understand your journey

- A community of support

- A place to be heard

The support group is free to attend and open to the public. It meets on the last Tuesday of each month.

Find more details at https://zurl.co/nGLtQ.

10/22/2026

Caring for a baby can be exhausting, especially during those early weeks and months. 💙

If your baby has been fed, changed, and cared for but continues to cry, it is okay to place baby safely in their crib and take a few minutes to calm yourself.

Take some deep breaths. Step into another room. Call someone you trust for support. Then check back on baby when you feel calmer.

Preparing for these moments before they happen can make a big difference.

💬 What helps you reset when you’re feeling overwhelmed? Share a healthy coping strategy in the comments. Your idea might help another parent, too.

Our Babies: Safe & Sound — Keep Your Cool When Baby Cries
https://teamwv.org/our-babies-safe-sound/shaken-baby-syndrome-prevention/keep-your-cool/

Our Babies: Safe & Sound — Shaken Baby Syndrome / Abusive Head Trauma Prevention
https://teamwv.org/our-babies-safe-sound/shaken-baby-syndrome-prevention/

Remember...It's normal for babies to cry, and long, inconsolable crying can occur in completely normal developing babies.A parent or caregiver's response to an inconsolable crying baby is most often the trigger to Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), also known as Abusive Head Trauma -- a serious type of bra...

10/20/2026

Harrison-Marion Parents as Teachers is welcoming new families in Harrison and Marion Counties!

Expecting a baby or raising young children? Whether you're a first-time parent, have questions about your child's development, are navigating life's ups and downs, or simply want a little extra support along the way, we're here for you!

Our FREE home visiting program offers parenting support, fun learning activities, child development information, and connections to community resources.

Every family has strengths, and we'd love to help you build on yours!

Send us a message or scan the QR on flier to learn more or get started!

10/19/2026

Struggling does not mean you don't love your children.

Parenting can be challenging, and sometimes families are navigating circumstances that others cannot see.

Substance use and recovery can be difficult topics to discuss, especially when you're worried about how others may respond.

At Harrison-Marion Parents as Teachers, we believe in meeting families where they are, recognizing their strengths, and offering support without judgment.

Whether you're in recovery, thinking about making a change, or simply having a difficult time, we want you to know that your home visitor is someone you can talk to.

Asking for support doesn't make you a bad parent. It means you're taking a step toward caring for yourself and your family.

Every family deserves compassion. Every parent deserves support.

If you or someone you love needs additional support, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers information and resources to help individuals and families navigate substance use and recovery.

Learn more: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help

You can also call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment referrals and information, available 24/7.

10/15/2026

Safe sleep is a team effort! 💙

Parents aren’t the only ones who may put baby to sleep. Grandparents, babysitters, family members, and other caregivers all need to know your baby’s safe sleep routine.

Before someone else cares for your baby, talk about:

💙 Baby sleeps on their back every time
💙 Baby sleeps in their own safe sleep space
💙 The crib or bassinet stays clear
💙 Safe sleep practices apply to naps AND nighttime

Safe sleep recommendations may be different from what grandparents or other caregivers remember from years ago, and that’s okay. What we know about infant safety continues to grow.

💬 Who is part of your baby’s care team? Tag a grandparent, babysitter, friend, or family member who helps care for your little one.

🔗 Share this resource with grandparents and other caregivers:
https://teamwv.org/our-babies-safe-sound/

🔗 NIH Safe to Sleep® also has evidence-based information families can use and share:
https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/reduce-risk/reduce

Everyone who cares for babies can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths, such as suffocation.

10/14/2026

Learning, Connecting, and Exploring in Portland, Oregon!

We had an incredible experience at the Parents as Teachers International Conference (PATCON26)! Throughout the conference, we attended inspiring sessions, connected with fellow home visiting professionals, and gained valuable knowledge and resources to better serve the families in our program and the communities we serve.

We also made the most of our downtime by exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest, including a visit to Multnomah Falls and watching an unforgettable sunset on the West Coast!

Of course, no PAT conference would be complete without our annual selfie with Parents as Teachers CEO Constance Gulley! We also enjoyed reconnecting with members of the PAT National Team and conference committee.

Adding to the excitement, clues were hidden throughout the conference about next year's location. While my guess was wrong, the final reveal was worth the suspense... PATCON27 is heading to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!

With next year's conference so close to home, we're excited for the opportunity to showcase what West Virginia and Appalachia have to offer. From the resilience of our families to the incredible work happening in our communities, we hope to make a lasting impression!

We returned home inspired, energized, and ready to put what we've learned into practice.

Thank you, Portland, for the memories! Pittsburgh, we'll see you in 2027!

10/08/2026

When it comes to a baby’s sleep space, simple is safest. 💙

A safe sleep space doesn’t need lots of extras. In fact, the safest crib may look a little empty!

For every nap and every night:

👶 Start baby on their back
🛏️ Use a firm, flat sleep surface
💙 Use only a fitted sheet
🧸 Keep blankets, pillows, toys, and bumpers out of the sleep space

If you’re worried about baby staying warm, appropriately sized sleep clothing or a wearable blanket can be used instead of a loose blanket.

Creating a safe environment is one of the many ways caregivers can support their baby as they grow and develop.

📸 Have a safe sleep space set up at home? Share a picture in the comments! Please make sure no identifying information is visible.

🔗 Explore NIH Safe to Sleep®’s Interactive Sleep Room and see what a safe sleep environment looks like:
https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/reduce-risk/safe-sleep-environment/room

🔗 More safe sleep guidance from the CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/sudden-infant-death/sleep-safely/index.html

Learn how to help babies sleep safely.

10/01/2026

October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month! 💙

Every sleep matters, whether it’s bedtime, naptime, or just a quick afternoon snooze.

Remember the ABCs of safe sleep:

💙 Alone, but nearby
💙 On their Back
💙 In a safe Crib

Baby’s sleep space should have a firm, flat mattress with a fitted sheet and stay free of blankets, pillows, bumpers, stuffed animals, and other soft items.

Throughout October, we’ll be sharing simple ways families and caregivers can help create a safer sleep environment for babies.

💬 Let’s hear from you: What is one piece of baby sleep advice you wish someone had shared with you sooner?

🔗 Learn more from Our Babies: Safe & Sound:
https://teamwv.org/our-babies-safe-sound/

🔗 Evidence-based safe sleep information from NIH Safe to Sleep®:
https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/safe-sleep

Explore research-based ways, such as always placing babies on their backs to sleep, to help reduce risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths