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Lamar County Schools

Parents As Teachers (PAT)

 

Parents as Teachers

 

Parents as Teachers is a free, voluntary early childhood program for Lamar County families with children from birth to age five. Partnering families with Certified Parent Educators, the program empowers parents, a child’s first and most important teachers, to guide their child’s language, intellectual, social, and physical development through everyday teachable moments.

 

 

 

 

📌 Why become a PAT family?

 

As a Parents as Teachers family, you receive…

 

  • Personal visits – during which your parent educator will share age-appropriate child development and parenting information, help you learn to observe your child, and address your parenting concerns.
  • Parent group meetings – which are opportunities to share information about parenting issues and child development. Parents learn and support each other, observe their children with other children, and practice parenting skills.
  • Screenings – to assess your child’s language development, intellectual growth, social development, and motor skills. Milestones are monitored to identify any potential concern before it becomes an obstacle to your child’s development.
  • Resource Network – linking your family to other community services
  • Parent Resource Center – access to educational materials, such as toys, books, and manipulatives to use at home.

 

Enroll Today!

 

💫 Partner with Parents as Teachers to support your child’s early development.

Parents As Teachers logo featuring a parent figure embracing a child.

 

 

  • Pre-K student completing an activity outside
  • Two young students holding up the book they just got from the ELC
  • Pre-K student completing an activity outside
  • Two students holding up the book they just got from the ELC
  • Family of 4 holding up their book they just got from the ELC

📍 Resources Available in Lamar County

  • Child Support Case - Must have an open case to receive other assistance.  

    1-877-882-4916

  • Mississippi: Financial Assistance Resources for Families

    Find out more @ Childcare.gov

  • Medicaid - Medical Assistance

    132 Mayfair Blvd
    Hattiesburg, MS 39402

    601-264-5386

  • Find out more @ https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/

  • MS Child Care Payment Program 

    Federal program to help qualifying parents with childcare tuition.  

    1-800-877-7882

  • SNAP - Food Stamps

    Lamar County Health Department

    207 Main St.
    Purvis, MS 39475

    1-800-948-3050

  • TANF - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

    Provides assistance for families who do not have enough income or resources to meet everyday needs.  

    1-800-948-3050 or 601-794-1050

  • WIC - Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants, and children

    Lamar County Health Department

    207 Main St.
    Purvis, MS 39475

    601-794-1055

    WIC Distribution Site - 47 Deep South Lane, Purvis, MS  39475  (601) 794-6294

Certified Parent Educator Team

Select a team member below for full bio.

 

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  • Sharon Smith

    Administrative Assistant

 

 

Have questions or need more information?

 

Contact the Parents as Teachers Team @ (601) 794.5982