NYS Parenting Education Partnership

06/08/2026

No one is born knowing how to parent. That’s why parenting education exists!

● Parenting education gives families real tools, guidance, and community to handle everyday challenges. Because learning helps us all grow. 💛
● Parenting hack: no one actually knows what they’re doing — we’re all just learning and loving as we go!
● 🌈 Less guessing. More connecting. That’s the magic of parenting education. 🪄
● Because even superheroes need support. 🪄♀️🪄♂️❤️

06/03/2026

June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month. A time dedicated to supporting over 1 billion people worldwide with these often disabling, underdiagnosed, and stigmatized conditions. The hope is to focus on better care, research, understanding, raise awareness, address stigma, and educate on treatments. Migraines affect over 40 million people in the United States and 1 billion globally. It is the second leading cause of global disability. Common triggers include stress, poor sleep, certain foods such as aged cheeses, and caffeine. The month aims to educate the public, improve care, and encourage advocacy for those living with these conditions.

05/28/2026

Some tips for a smooth School to Summer Transition

While the strict school schedule is gone, structure does prevent boredom. Try to create a visual schedule using a whiteboard or chart that includes morning, midday, and afternoon activities.

Organize the week with themes like “Water Wednesday” or “Field Trip Friday” to provide daily anticipation and structure.

Involve children in maintaining the household to build responsibility and confidence. Some examples include making their beds, watering plants, or helping to prepare light snacks.

Prevent the “summer slide” with engaging activities that feel like play such as science experiments, nature scavenger hunts, and regular library visits.

Set clear boundaries for electronics, encouraging outdoor play or creating, hands-on activities first.

Use timers to signal the end of an activity, like tablet time, to avoid meltdowns during transitions.

Arrange playdates with classmates to help them maintain friendships outside of the school setting.

Preparing Early
Begin talking about the summer schedule a few weeks before the school year ends to avoid surprises.

Start waking up slightly later and slowing down the daily pace as the final school days approach.

Planning some playdates or meet-ups with other families during the summer months can go a long way in maintaining their school friendships as well as allowing you to get to know their friend’s parents.

05/26/2026

Did you know that foodborne illnesses spike during the summer?
Bacteria love the warm weather just as much as we do, and cooking outdoors means we're away from our usual kitchen setups - like refrigerators and sinks.
Stay safe and healthy by following these quick food safety tips:

05/20/2026

05/18/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Mental health is essential for well-being at any stage of life. NYSED licenses practitioners in many professions that support mental health, including:

• Psychology
• Mental Health Counseling
• Creative Arts Therapy
• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Psychoanalysis
• Social Work
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Applied Behavior Analysis

Learn more about these vital professions and how they make a difference by visiting our website: https://bit.ly/3YMrHz6 SAMHSA

05/12/2026

📢 Check out NYSPEP Updates from May 2026 in this Month’s Newsletter:
✨ Our Spring 2026 Webinar line-up comes to a close and new Workshops are on the Horizon! - Register and learn more at: bit.ly/BrightRootsSpring26
✨ The final Community Cafés of the year begin to take place, a new Café opportunity to take place at this year’s Annual Training Institute.
✨ Training Institute 2026 Registration Close May 15th, still on the fence? See our exciting final announcements this month!
Read the full newsletter for more details.

This free in-person workshop provides parenting educators and caregivers with professional development opportunities in partnership with Brightside Up around the theme: Building Strong Roots Through Family Connections

05/07/2026

: Positive mental health is learning healthy social skills and coping when there are problems. Today we recognize the work of mental health clinicians in the Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth Bureau of Behavioral Health Services for their commitment to providing youth treatment in trauma-informed environments with evidence-based interventions.

05/07/2026

May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month with an initiative that aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental health issues, to fight stigma, and provide actionable coping mechanisms to improve quality of life. This recognition was established in 1949 to reduce stigma, provide resources for mental wellness, and highlight the importance of mental well-being. It is a major, month-long initiative featuring campaigns from organizations like SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Key messages emphasize that mental health is vital to overall health, recovery is possible, and support is available.

Resources available:

Call/Text/Chat in NYS: Dial 988, it’s more than a number as it’s a Crisis Lifeline that connects you to a trained crisis counselor 24/7.

Call 1-800-950-6264, or text “NAMI” to 62640

Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then press “1,” or text to 838255 for veterans and their supporters

05/06/2026

Prevention doesn’t start in crisis. It starts in the everyday environments where children grow, learn, and connect.
Youth-serving organizations play a critical role in child sexual abuse prevention through strong policies, trained staff, and environments designed with safety in mind.
On May 7, PCA America will host a webinar bringing together experts and practitioners to explore what it takes to build safer systems for children—grounded in evidence and real-world practice.
If you work with children and families, this conversation is for you.
Register here: https://bit.ly/3OzoBy6
Explore the report: https://bit.ly/4vNzhtB