1. Lincoln Monthly Training
“Don’t Blame The Parents”
Macheo Payne
Lincoln Child Center
2011

2. Lincoln Monthly Training
Recap-
1st Training: “Working with Black Boys”
Summary- It’s about working with Adults
2nd Training: “Putting Racism Aside”
Summary- Racism exist, so face it & fight it
3rd Training: “Don’t Blame The Parents”
Summary- ???

3. Lincoln Monthly Training
Alignment of Focus
Federal, District focus on Community &
Family: “Community Schools”
County & Social Service goal of family
preservation & connection
Conclusion: Parents are critical partners
Critical question: Are you invested in
working w/parents?

4. Lincoln Monthly Training
What is Blame?
“Blaming is the opposite of taking
responsibility.”
In this work, blaming inherently implies
guilt on the part of the accuser.

5. Lincoln Monthly Training
What’s The Problem?
What do we blame them for?
How does that move us forward to hold us
back from producing outcomes?

6. Lincoln Monthly Training
Who/What Do We Blame?
People Environment Influence
The kids Drugs The “system”
Their parents The neighborhood The government
Video games Poverty
TV, rappers, entertainers
Capitalism
Commercialism

7. Lincoln Monthly Training
Who is Right?
What are our excuses?
It’s the parents, the community violence, the Soda &
Cheetos…
What are their excuses?
Bad schools, poor teachers, the other kids…
What’s our responsibility?
Ensure equitable learning
What’s their responsibility?
Learn

8. Lincoln Monthly Training
What Can You Do?

9. Lincoln Monthly Training
…Care about your job.

10. Lincoln Monthly Training
What’s Important?
It’s not just about asking questions…
but that’s important.

11. Lincoln Monthly Training
What’s Important?
It’s not just about knowing how to listen…
but that’s important.

12. Lincoln Monthly Training
What’s Important?
It’s not just about being open to
new information that can improve
the situation… but that’s
important.

13. Lincoln Monthly Training
What’s Important
It’s not just about contact, it’s
about care, dignity & respect.
Do you VALUE them and their
role?