City of Pembroke Pines hosts important forum on managing parental burnout for parents, grandparents, and educators

Pembroke Pines, Florida – As parenting continues to evolve in today’s fast-paced and demanding world, many parents and caregivers are experiencing increasing stress and burnout. Recognizing the importance of supporting families and addressing these challenges, the City of Pembroke Pines is hosting a special forum focused on “Managing Burnout as a Parent.” This event, part of the City’s award-winning Raising Positive Children series, is set for Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 6:30 pm at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, located at 601 City Center Way. The forum is open to parents, grandparents, guardians, educators, and youth advocates, offering a chance to explore strategies for managing the stress of parenting and ensuring families thrive in today’s world.

Admission to the forum is free, and there is no ticket required. Attendees can also take advantage of free parking at the venue. In addition to the presentation, community resources will be available in the lobby before and after the event, providing valuable support to families who may be seeking assistance or looking for resources related to parenting and mental health.

The forum’s guest speaker, Dr. Claudia Vicencio, is a licensed social worker with a wealth of experience in behavioral health and social work. As the Director of Outpatient Behavioral Health Services for Memorial Healthcare System, Dr. Vicencio brings extensive knowledge to the topic of parental burnout. She will guide the audience through a discussion of the causes of burnout and the long-term risks associated with chronic parenting stress, offering practical tools and strategies to combat the emotional and physical exhaustion that many parents face.

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Dr. Vicencio’s presentation will cover various approaches to reducing parenting stress, such as boundary setting, practicing self-compassion, and making “repairs” with children when relationships become strained due to burnout. She will focus on instilling hope in parents and caregivers while equipping them with tools to transform their parenting experience from one of burnout to flourishing. Her experience and expertise will help attendees better understand the importance of self-care and mental health in the context of raising children, as well as how to take actionable steps toward restoring balance in their lives.

Dr. Vicencio is an accomplished speaker, educator, and advocate, and her work has been integral to various community-based programs aimed at improving mental health and wellness. She is also on the board of the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, where she has served as Board Chair since February 2022. With a PhD in Social Work, her research focused on the impact of childhood adversity on adults’ willingness to seek mental health support. Additionally, Dr. Vicencio has a history of presenting at conferences, making television appearances, and speaking on important topics such as mental health, suicide prevention, and youth support.

“This forum is an important and timely initiative,” said Commissioner Jay D. Schwartz. “With over 13 Raising Positive Children Forums held in our city over the past seven years, I am honored to continue offering these valuable resources to our community. Parenting is challenging, and finding solutions to the problems families face is critical. The insights shared by experts like Dr. Vicencio help create real change in the lives of parents and children alike.”

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Commissioner Schwartz also expressed gratitude to Iris Siple, who played a key role in creating the Raising Positive Children series. Schwartz emphasized that the series has become an essential part of the community, helping families navigate the challenges they face both at home and at school.

The Raising Positive Children forums have been a cornerstone of the City of Pembroke Pines’ commitment to supporting families, offering free educational events designed to provide families with the tools and resources they need to thrive. This special forum on parental burnout is just one of many that will continue to make a positive impact on the community.

For those interested in staying informed about upcoming events and programs in Pembroke Pines, the city encourages residents to subscribe to the Pembroke Pines Media on YouTube, sign up for the monthly NewsFlash digital newsletter at www.ppines.com/Newsflash, or read the city’s digital newspaper, City Connect, at www.ppines.com/cityconnect. Residents can also follow the city on social media through Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofpembrokepines and on X and Instagram @cityofppines for the latest updates and news.

This event promises to be a valuable opportunity for parents, guardians, and educators to gain insight into the challenges of parenting and learn how to manage stress effectively. As the conversation around mental health and well-being continues to grow, this forum will serve as an important step toward building stronger, healthier families in Pembroke Pines.