About 34 parents in Santa Rosa and Petaluma graduated from the inaugural year of the Avance Parent-Child Education Program earlier this month after completing the year-long, intensive program.

The curriculum, from a nationally-recognized program developed in San Antonio 38 years ago, was brought to Kawana Elementary School in Santa Rosa and McDowell Elementary in Petaluma by a partnership with First 5 Sonoma County, Petaluma Adult School and Community Action Partnership.

The program is a weekly, three-hour class that targets low-income, at risk families for parenting advice and provides access to resources on education, health and social issues.

The graduation ceremonies for both parents and their children, were held earlier this month.

The intent is to grow the program to cover schools and neighborhood in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Petaluma.

For the full scoop on the Avance program, click here:  http://bit.ly/l8QfPW