Children’s Friend employees get training

By Rebecca Keister
PBN Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE – Some 300 Children’s Friend employees, including 160 Head Start educators, headed back to school early, for professional training meant to help educators and employees become more effective with children and families they assist.

Children’s Friend is nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the well being and healthy development of Rhode Island’s vulnerable young children.

“Providing a quality education to Rhode Island’s most vulnerable children is essential for our community’s future,” said David Caprio, president and CEO. “Therefore, we are continually striving to provide our staff with the tools they need to do their work in an effective way.”

Training classes – some of which are mandatory – were offered on topics including helping children cope with abuse, helping children manage stress and the impact of ethics and culture on mental health.

Children’s Friend has run the program since it began to offer Head Start services in 2009.