Polk County Extension
Multi-County Family Life Program

Joe Pergola - Multi-County Family Life Program

Brief Description of the Program

• Building Resilient Families:
  to improve family capacity to thrive during life cycle transitions and crisis.  Focus on building family strengths and increasing protective factors for children.
• Balancing Work and Family:
  Assist working parents in maintaining personal health and family well being by practicing effective stress and time management techniques, and effective communication to reduce tension and resolve conflicts.
• Parenting and Child Care Issues:
  Conduct parent education seminars and child care provider training to improve developmentally appropriate practices.  Current focus on "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" and "Dads Make a Difference" programs.  Focus on parent - provider partnership.

Educational Background

• 1966-1970 - B.S. Psychology, Manhattan College, New York, NY
• 1970-1973 - M.S. Family Relations, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Experience

• 1986-Present
  Multi-County Family Life Extension Agent
  University of Florida/ Hillsborough and Polk Counties Cooperative Extension Service
• 1973-1985
  Area Family Life Specialist
  Kentucky State University
  Cooperative Extension Service
  Bowling Green, KY