Parents as Teachers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Do I qualify for Parents First?

If you are raising a young child (or expecting one), you likely qualify.

Parents First is for all kinds of families — first-time parents, experienced parents, single parents,

two-parent households, working families, stay-at-home caregivers, foster and kinship caregivers.

You do not need to be experiencing problems to participate.

 

Is this Child Protective Services or a mandated program?

No. Parents First is a voluntary family support program.
We are not investigators, and we are not connected to CPS cases.

Our role is to support, answer questions, and help parents feel confident — not to judge families.

 

What happens during a visit?

Visits are relaxed and child-focused.

There are no inspections and no “perfect home” expectations.

 

We usually:

• Talk about what your child is learning right now

• Share a simple activity you can try together

• Answer parenting questions (sleep, behavior, routines, etc.)

• Check on development and milestones

 

Do I have to clean my house before you come?

No — and please don’t feel pressure to.

We are there to support your family, not evaluate your home.
We meet families in real life, not ideal conditions.

 

How often do visits happen?

We work with your schedule.

Most families meet about once or twice a month, but we adjust based on your needs and comfort level.

 

How long do families stay in the program?

As long as it’s helpful.

Some families participate for a few months during a transition (new baby, toddler stage), while others stay

through preschool years. You can stop at any time.

 

Does this cost anything?

Parents as Teachers is provided at no cost to families thanks to community funding and partnerships.

 

What ages do you serve?

We support families from pregnancy through early childhood (before kindergarten).
(Adjust if your program defines ages differently.)

 

What if my child might be delayed?

That’s exactly what we help with.

We provide developmental screenings and, if needed, help you understand next steps and connect to services.

Early support makes things much easier for children and parents.

 

What if I’m a busy or working parent?

That’s normal. We offer flexible scheduling and can meet in person or virtually when appropriate.

The program is designed to fit real family life.

 

What if I just want parenting advice?

Perfect — many families join for that reason alone.

You don’t need a referral or a problem to reach out.

 

How do I start?

Just contact us — we’ll have a short conversation, answer your questions, and you can decide if you want to enroll.

There is no pressure.