STEP RIGHT UP! ...For the community parenting workshop, raising awareness for healthy living
Lacey Klotz |
On Friday, July 17, Lipscomb University’s School of Nursing will join with Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee to provide a carnival-themed workshop to raise awareness for local families who are at risk for poor health outcomes.
Located in the north quad lawn (accessible from Belmont Boulevard), Lipscomb faculty and students from the College of Nursing and the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences will come together with PCAT’s Healthy Families Tennessee program’s staff, to offer interactive activities and challenges including the patio Zumba challenge and healthy eating challenge - all with the intention of providing tools and support for parents, caregivers and concerned adults to create safe, stable and nurturing environments where children and youth can thrive.
About 200 community members ranging from newborns to grandparents will attend the workshop, all of which have some sort of relationship with PCAT.
Kristen Rector, president and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse of Tennessee, will be attending the community parenting workshop and explains that 30 years of national research has established a clear link between child adversity and poor health outcomes in adulthood. PCAT wants to be the difference-maker and change the trajectory of high-risk children’s futures.
“Every day our staff spends time with families, listening to their concerns and coaching them on how to be the best parents they can be,” Rector said. “We have home visitors that teach parents how to keep their infants safe, nurture parenting skills and connect families to services in their community.
“We have partnered with Lipscomb for the past three years and appreciate its faculty and student willingness to join us in our efforts. This workshop is 
an incredible way for us to help educate the high-risk families and do it in such a way that is both fun and informative.”
Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee is a nonprofit organization that works with parents, professionals and communities to provide education, resources and services that strengthen families across all 95 counties in Tennessee. Its community-based programs have been educating the public about the prevalence of child abuse and their role in child abuse prevention for 30 years.
In the last year PCAT was given a $1,800 from the Tennessee Department of Health to help cover the workshop and resources needed to help the high-risk families attending.
Lipscomb nursing students have been tasked to raise the rest of the cost and have turned to local organizations such as Walmart, Kroger and Publix for help to donate food and gift cards to buy food for the event. Dr. Reva Chatman-Buckley, associate professor of Lipscomb’s College of Education, also gave a monetary donation to provide books for the children.
High School seniors from Whites Creek, who have worked with Lipscomb University students for their cap stone project, also plan to be at the carnival to help encourage families to recognize the importance of healthy eating and practice discipline.
Lipscomb College of Nursing has also partnered with March of Dimes for past events prior to being awarded a $10,000 grant in 2014-2015 to help with its efforts for promoting healthy lifestyles for families who are at risk for having poor birth outcomes.
Roletha Pillow, assistant professor in nursing at Lipscomb, said her interest was ignited in aiding the local community years before her appointment at the university. She said that Lipscomb has helped to foster her passion for assisting the community through funding and providing the facility to host this event.
“We have such a unique opportunity with both the knowledge and resources from Lipscomb’s College of Nursing and College of Pharmacy & Health 
Sciences to give back to the local community,” Pillow said. “Working with organizations such as Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee and March of Dimes has helped us to get connected with families that really need it and we love that our students who are service-driven are able to use their gifts and education to help others in the community.”
The Metro Nashville police and fire departments will be at the workshop to educate families in regards to personal and public safety.
The carnival theme will create a welcoming environment for families of all ages and engage them in activities that will benefit them and their health. Inflatables, face painting and a cookout are planned along with demonstrations and tips on how to have a balance of spiritual, mental and physical health.
March of Dimes will also help to provide bus passes to families to reduce transportation barriers.