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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- A local organization hopes to teach parents how to focus on positive reinforcement when it comes to raising their children.

Great Circle is offering "The Incredible Years Program," which involves free informational classes on parenting. The classes will be held once a week from 6 to 8 p.m., beginning Sept. 12. The program lasts for 12 weeks. The classes include short video clips, group discussion, and role playing, administered by two trained instructors. The program involves various topics that instructors say will leave parents empowered.

"Developing relationships. Communication. Boundaries. Limit setting. Positive reinforcement. These strategies that we talk about coincide with the positive behavior support movement that the Kirksville R-III School district also implements," said Jackie Jones, who is one of the instructors for the class. She also works at the Kirksville Primary School as a Recovery Room Facilitator.

Project Coordinator Lynn VanDolah said the class is open to everyone, even if the person is not affiliated with another agency.

"Parents, grandparents, caretakers, teachers, people that work with children, sometimes want to know are there other ways to deal with a child's behavior. Are there things I could do to promote more effective behaviors for a child? That's what we wanted to do was to help them address those issues, " said VanDolah.

The classes are being funded through a grant from the Missouri Children's Trust Fund. Childcare will be provided.

There is limited space and if interested in participating, you're asked to call Lynn VanDolah at (660) 216-7332.