They found that link by hiring community consultants such as Bridgette Leachman and Paulette Wiley. Leachman and Wiley live in the ABLA neighborhood and serve as community liaisons. They also help social workers motivate kids and parents and distribute information on job openings, social services and community events. They thought they were getting in each others' business. Now they feel comfortable because they know they're not alone.
PALS invites parents and children to weekly gatherings where they discuss problems and successes.
When these groups started, Wiley recalled, parents wouldn't talk. They talk openly now. Before we'd have to ask them. We have hands raising now. Atkins knows this program works.