Scottdale Early Learning, Inc. (SEL) in DeKalb County has earned Blue Ribbon Affiliate Status from the international organization, Parents as Teachers (PAT).  This is the most prestigious designation granted by PAT and affirms that Scottdale Early Learning is among the highest quality members of the home visitation and parent education field, and has completed the PAT Quality Endorsement and Improvement Process.

Since 2002, SEL has helped young children in DeKalb County’s at-risk communities by educating and supporting their parents.  Based on the idea that parents are their children’s first teachers, PAT’s mission is to provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help children up to age five develop optimally during the crucial early years of life and prepare for kindergarten.  SEL has three fulltime Parent Educators and a PAT supervisor on staff, serving approximately 200 children and parents annually, primarily in the Scottdale/Decatur area.

In addition to achieving Blue Ribbon Status, SEL Parent Educator Gloria Gil has been named a “Parent Educator of the Year” by the PAT organization.  Gil, a Roswell resident who has worked with SEL for the past two years, was recently honored at the international PAT conference.

“We are thrilled that SEL has been named a PAT Blue Ribbon Affiliate, and very proud that our own Gloria Gil has been named a Parent Educator of the Year for her hard work and devotion to the families she serves,” said Maryum Gibson, president and CEO of Scottdale Early Learning.  “The PAT program is an essential component of the Center’s long-term strategy of working with low-income families.  It extends our reach and expertise further into the community with families that do not use center-based care such as preschool and pre-K.  Our Certified Parent Educators meet twice a month with families in the home to coach and mentor each parent as he or she develops safe and healthy attachments with their young children.  They facilitate research-based educational activities and play for the parents and children to enjoy together.  During the visits, the PAT professionals educate the parents about early childhood development, and improve parenting practices, including preventing child abuse and neglect.  The PAT professionals also provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues, and connect the family with community resources, when needed.”

In addition to the at-home visits, families served by the PAT program are invited to meetings and workshops at SEL to participate in programs on parenting issues and to have the opportunity to interact with other parents.  Children enjoy structured playtime together, to help prepare them for classroom settings.  The PAT program provides bilingual services for families in north DeKalb, support for refugee families in central DeKalb and services for African-American families and teenage mothers in south DeKalb County.