This past week, Northwest NC Families had the pleasure of speaking with one of our fantastic Triple P providers, Rosemary Hansel of the Blue Ridge Partnership for Children. A long-time supporter of Triple P and child welfare, Rosemary has made it her mission to help those in her community. The Blue Ridge Partnership serves Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties, and Rosemary and her co-workers assist those around them in many impactful ways. Let’s dive into our conversation with her to learn a bit more about one of our Triple P Providers.

Triple P Providers Interview: Rosemary Hansel with The Blue Ridge Partnership

***Visit your local Cooperative Extension Service website to register or call one of the Blue Ridge Partnership offices at 828.733.2899 or 828.682.0047.

As one of our Triple P Providers, can you tell us about your background?

I have a degree in child development and family relations. After I graduated from Western Carolina University, I went into Childcare Corp, you know, Americorp, and did that for a while, and it led me into the work I am now. I’ve been working with children, doing this kind of work for a long time. I’ve done everything from going into daycare centers and providing technical assistance to being a behavior and inclusion specialist and even a park ranger. I’ve been with the Blue Ridge Partnership for five years when it was still called the Mitchell Yancey Partnership. I left for a bit, came back, and have been here for three years. So, a total of eight years, I’d say.

What kind of mindset do you need to become one of our Triple P Providers?

You have to have an open mind and multitask and pull other people in at the same time and know your limits.

What do you love most about being at The Blue Ridge Partnership?

It is knowing that I can help families. We are serving children and people, but now with COVID, it’s changed everything. Now, it’s more focusing on the parenting aspect. It’s more comprehensive, and we realize that a parent can’t think about attending parenting sessions or classes if they lack basic needs. So we make sure they are covered there first. Sometimes we refer them to food pantries or shelters or something like that. The satisfaction in knowing that I helped families get connected and what they need and that I’m helping in some way that’s not just teaching a class.

What services does the Blue Ridge Partnership offer?

We serve children ages zero to five in Mitchell, Yancey, and Avery counties. Outside of Triple P services, subsidized childcare is one of the biggest things we offer, so there’s money to pay for parents for childcare through state funds. We also provide Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, where every child ages zero to five is eligible to receive a book through the mail until they are five. We also offer technical assistance, training, and support for childcare providers in the three counties. Play and Learn is another service we offer where two of our employees go into the community, mainly outside events now with COVID, and parents come with their children to learn through play.

Can you tell us about the positive impact you see from Triple P?

I think what I like most about Triple P is its toolkit. The way Triple P is formatted and presented to the parents, even though they may have to take it, it’s a relief for them. It’s never shoved down their throats. It’s well-received in that way – the format of Triple P is excellent.

Do you mind sharing one of your Triple P success stories?

Yes, for sure. I was working with a DSS family, and the mother had a lot of baggage and a lot of stuff going on, and she cried, cried, and cried. She had to get a lot of that off her chest before we could get started. You just kind of have to put it in the bucket, you know? So I listened, and by the end of the class, the mother had written this lovely letter. She scratched it on the back of a little comment card. And I still have it. She talked about how blessed she felt after the class, and you could tell that it got through to her and made a difference in her life.

What would you tell parents or guardians on the fence about seeking parenting support?

I try to compare it to getting your car serviced or repaired. If you do routine maintenance on your car like changing the oil, rotating the tires, that sort of thing, then your vehicle will run better and be less likely to break down. It’s like that with parenting. If you do routine maintenance and check in from time to time on your parenting skills, then maybe there won’t be a significant breakdown – no flat tires.

Are you interested in learning more from our Triple P Providers?

Contact Rosemary to learn more about the BRPC or connect to parenting support in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties. If outside of those counties, do not worry. Northwest NC Families can help you!