The From Cradle to College Foundation (which acts as a supporting organization to benefit the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County) was proud to launch Operation W.I.T. last October. Eager to learn more about this new program, Nextgen Family Magazine interviewed Rachel Spivey, Director of Community Educational Initiatives, and Stephanie Washington, the Operation W.I.T. Program Manager to get an insight on what Operation W.I.T does.
Q: What does W.I.T. stand for?
A: W.I.T. stands for Whatever It Takes! As our team of dedicated educators will do whatever it takes to support the families of Manatee County.
Q: What is Operation W.I.T.?
A: Operation W.I.T. is a multi-faceted program designed to help families connect more confidently to their children. Operation W.I.T. offers seven weeks of family instruction. Caregivers learn from the Effective Black Parenting Program while their children are engaged in lessons selected from the Connect 4 Curriculum.
At the end of each session, caregivers and children reconnected for family time. During family time, each creatively constructed session allows families to have the opportunity to practice newly learned skills while bonding over games and challenges. The eighth week offers a free family field trip. Field trips are held locally at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.
Q: Where does Operation W.I.T. take place?
A: Operation W.I.T. travels to community centers and religious organizations in Manatee County as it strives to reduce barriers for families and meet participants where they currently gather. Operation W.I.T. completed its first group at the Ward Temple A.M.E. Church in Bradenton.
Q: Is Operation W.I.T. just for parents?
A: Operation W.I.T. is for the betterment of all families. Adult caregivers or participants can be biological parents, foster parents, grandparents, or any other type of guardian seeking to strengthen their family. Potential participants are welcome to contact the W.I.T. team with any questions.
Q: How can Operation W.I.T. help me?
A: Operation W.I.T. offers guardians the opportunity to feel more confident in their parenting decisions. Operation W.I.T. focuses, initially, on the Path to the Pyramid of Success for Black Children. Using this pyramid as a guide, parents visualize the necessary steps needed to achieve the goals they have for their children.
Here is how it works; first, parents learn how their behavior directly influences their children’s actions according to the social learning theory. With this knowledge, parents are advised to model and teach prosocial skills, such as pride in blackness and love. The next tier of the pyramid showcases beneficial personality characteristics that children need to develop through their guardians’ modeling and teaching to, ultimately, accomplish these life goals.
For example, when parents model pride in blackness, children develop a strong sense of self and are then able to lead community members. Let me share another example, when parents model and teach love and understanding, their children develop higher self-esteem, which gives them the ability to engage in loving, healthy relationships as adults. Thinking forward into the next generation, creating healthy relationships now leads to healthy families in the future, so the cycle continues to move forward in a positive fashion. Operation W.I.T. has the power to not only benefit a single-family but profits generations of families to come. Join today!!!
Q: Tell me more about the parenting curriculum. Why is it geared toward Black communities, and who wrote it?
A: According to the author of the Effective Black Parenting Curriculum, Dr. Alvey, this curriculum was one of twoculturally responsive curriculums adapted from his previous work on the Confident Parent Program. To give you some background, Dr. Alvey is the author of many parenting books; he has a program for Hispanic parents and several books appropriate for all cultural backgrounds.
At the time of its creation, no other parenting skills programs were available that considered the African American experience, thus, driving Dr. Alvey to create the Effective Black Parenting Curriculum. Dr. Alvey believes his work corrects social injustice. His historic decision to write this curriculum recognized that raising children has an individual and critical cultural perspective that needs to be highlighted apart from the dominant culture.
The curriculum covers social learning theory, the ability to understand child development, and positive discipline strategies. Operation W.I.T. is jam-packed with quality information. Program graduates have said, “I am so glad to have met these facilitators,” “I feel more confident,” and “we have great conversations.” A participating grandmother said, “I wish I had this class when I was younger and raising my boys as a single parent. I did the best I could for my children, but Operation W.I.T has now helped me to raise my grandchildren with pride.”
Q: How do I enroll in Operation W.I.T?
A: Enrollment is easy and can be completed in two ways. The first way is to contact the Operation W.I.T. team directly at 941-757-2900 x 2500 or operationwit@elc-manatee.org. You can also enroll online by visiting the From Cradle to College Foundation website.
Q: I am not a guardian but want to be involved. How can I help the community?
A: We are looking for engaged community leaders to help spread the word about our historic program. Operation W.I.T. is making history; we are the first in our community to focus on parents of African American descent. I urge community leaders to contact the Operation W.I.T. team with suggestions on locations or to nominate families that will benefit from our program.
Q: Is there anything else you want us to know?
A: Yes, I want readers to know how grateful I am to live and work in Manatee County. The From Cradle to College Foundation, the Children’s Services Advisory Board, and many other groups have truly stepped-up for our children. Thank you to all the community leaders who have supported the creation and launch of Operation W.I.T., and a special thank you to the Bishop Museum’s education team. Please contact us with your interest or inquiry to continue our mission in doing Whatever It Takes to support our families and young learners in Manatee County!
