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FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM CERTIFICATIONS
By Jill Gavin
Four Family Support Team members were recently awarded their certificates as NYSPEP Credentialed Parenting Educators. The newly credentialed team members include:
Oksana Protsuk, Community Education Coordinator
Salima Panahzada, Family Support Specialist
Merhawit Abebe, Eritrean Community Liaison
Cipriana Lopez, Spanish Community Liaison
The application process was intense, requiring applicants to submit a portfolio documenting their competency in areas such as human growth and development, family systems, community resources, nurturing discipline, strengths-based communication, adult learning styles, and group facilitation skills The team worked on their applications from January to December 2024, with final applications submitted in January 2025. In the end, their applications were so strong that the team was asked if anyone would be interested in getting involved with the NYSPEP Credential by serving on the committee, reviewing applications, or becoming a mentor - all of which the team is considering. Cotd. on next page. 1
FAMILY SUPPORT COTD.
The NYSPEP Parenting Educator Credential is a professional recognition system that formally assesses and acknowledges professional parenting educators' education, training, skills and experience. The Credential gives parenting educators professional visibility and demonstrates their commitment to accountability, professional growth, and continued practice in the field of parenting education.
We're thrilled to be able to more formally communicate to funders through these credentials about the broad expertise of our team that enables us to meet parents' individual needs. A special thanks to Salima, who created a training guide for team members to use and provided one on one coaching for team members throughout the year-long application process. Well done, team!! - Jill Gavin
BIJOUX BAHATI: AGENT OF CHANGE
By Bijoux Bahati
I am humbled to have been nominated as one of the Agents of Change, a communitybased research project that honors individuals who are helping to make Buffalo a better place, particularly through their support of newly resettled families. This project serves as the capstone experience for the graduating class of 2025. As part of this work, students explore the essential question: “What do immigrants bring to the community of Buffalo, and why is pluralism vital to our democracy?” Students interviewed and honored community members during a culminating public event.
Bijoux joined students on June 14th at the Bidwell Farmers Market for their first public event where both students and community members shared powerful stories. I was deeply moved by the resilience of the youth and their ability to anchor personal narratives within long-standing patterns of migration and resettlement. It reminded me of the critical role TST-R program plays in supporting schools, helping youth navigate the complex terrain of adapting to a new country, learning a new language, and managing family and peer relationships, all while striving for academic success.
Muqdad Abedlhussein, 06/26
Bijoux Bahati , 06/23
Madeline Hjalmarson, 06/02
Bri Nilsen, 06/11
Erin Yoder, 06/23
Contributors
Jill Gavin
Bijoux Bahati
Patty Hoyt
Edie Falk