Johana Scot wants to keep families intact. In her former role as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Montgomery County, Johana saw too many parents lose their children to the Children’s Protective Services. While many organizations focused on children’s needs, few if any existed to teach troubled mothers and fathers parenting skills and help them keep their families intact. Parents – most often from disadvantaged backgrounds – involved with Children’s Protective Services had to fend for themselves against the full power of the legal and child health and welfare systems. Moreover, at every session that she facilitated, Johana learned that most children preferred to remain with their mothers and fathers, especially if the parents could learn to deal constructively with their issues, psychological or otherwise. Recognizing this, she formed a nonprofit organization, Parent Guidance Center, to help parents resolve patterns of destructive behavior and reunite with their children.

Johana's organization guides struggling parents through the legal process free of charge, providing counseling, education, and follow-up to help them change adverse behaviors. In special cases, the Parent Guidance Center also intercedes on behalf of parents at imminent risk of having their children removed. The Parent Guidance Center's work does not end with the reunification of a family; clients can continue to call upon the organization's services for up to one year.

To equip troubled parents with the necessary tools to regain their children and restore their families, the Parent Guidance Center offers the following:

• Coordination of community service and resource providers to give parents at risk a comprehensive support network


• Parenting instruction, time management, and conflict resolution counseling


• Advocacy for families involved in the child protection process, whether at the local or state level


• Parent’s rights workshops


• Continued support and guidance before, during, and after the child protection process

Drawing no salary over the past three years, Johana Scot has nonetheless taken her organization to the forefront of public policy on the issue of keeping families intact. For example, she played an instrumental role in getting legislation passed in Texas that requires Children's Protective Services to work more closely with parents of disadvantaged families. Johana envisioned and brought about a viable alternative in dealing with troubled parents: counseling, networks of support, and advocacy to help parents at risk become the mothers and fathers their children need and deserve.

To learn more about Johana Scot and her cause, and how you can make a difference, please visit: www.parentguidancecenter.org.

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