By Ben Cox
Photos/Special to The Source
A newer, impactful group of educators, retired educators, children’s service providers and parents is working with children in the Jacksonville area to build stronger relationships with adults and equipping families with tools for emotional and academic success.
Jacksonville Area Friends of Family Learning (JAFFL) is a local nonprofit in Morgan County dedicated to developing the whole child and supporting families in both academic and social-emotional learning, from birth through age 8. Its mission includes partnering with schools, community organizations and caregivers to help children thrive through positive, science-based strategies.
“We formed this group kind of as an off-shoot of organizing this Conscious Discipline workshop,” says JAFFL founder Sarah Wilson, an elementary music teacher in Jacksonville School District 117.
What began as a single workshop has now grown into a nonprofit that hosts multiple parenting series, community events and professional development opportunities.
A WORKSHOP THAT CHANGED A COMMUNITY
At the heart of JAFFL’s work is the annual ‘Conscious Discipline Workshop,’ scheduled this year for March 7 at Illinois College. Organized for parents, educators and caregivers, the day-long event focuses on strategies that strengthen social-emotional learning and help children regulate emotions, connect with others and succeed in academic environments. Led by master instructor Angela Fraley, the workshop has become a staple for families and professionals alike.
“Conscious Discipline really looks at the adult first as an approach,” Wilson explains. “At first hearing that, it feels kind of off … but if adults don’t know how to handle conflict appropriately or regulate themselves, what they are modeling isn’t effective.”
JAFFL’s workshops unpack how the brain responds to stress and conflict, offering practical tools—like mindful breathing and self-regulation strategies—adults can use to model healthy responses for children.
Wilson noted that while the approach benefits all families, it can be especially helpful for parents of neurodivergent children, providing them with tools to teach and reinforce “missing skills” rather than simply reacting to behaviors.
MORE THAN A WORKSHOP
The organization doesn’t stop at workshops. JAFFL has partnered with local schools to host fall parenting series and virtual book studies centered on social-emotional learning. In previous years, JAFFL distributed self-regulation kits to local classrooms—small collections of tools like pinwheels and sensory items to help young students learn calming techniques during challenging moments.
Another community event, Downtown Discovery Day, invites families to explore the Jacksonville downtown square with educational activities and local resources that reinforce the message that learning and family engagement extend beyond the classroom.
“We know that when parents and teachers are working toward the same goals, the impact on the child—and the greater community—is powerful,” Wilson says.
ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
JAFFL’s work is grounded in collaboration. Several founding members bring experience from education, social work, law enforcement and parenting. Their shared passion has helped JAFFL grow from a one-off workshop to a nonprofit with a vibrant calendar of events and a growing presence on social media, where the group frequently shares updates, educational posts and community highlights.
For Wilson, the journey began years before the nonprofit was founded. She first attended a Conscious Discipline workshop 20 years ago when her own daughter was a toddler—an experience that shaped her view of parenting and teaching.
“Now you know this information … What can you do now to make a difference or make some adjustments?” she reflects.
She said it helped her and continues helping her now as a parent to model proper behavior for her child and her students.
LOOKING AHEAD
As JAFFL continues to expand its reach, its leaders hope to make social-emotional learning a community norm—part of everyday conversations in homes, schools and public spaces. For families looking for support or resources, JAFFL offers a range of experiences designed to educate adults first, so children can flourish next.
For more information, or to register for the March workshop, contact Jacksonville Area Friends of Family Learning via email at jaffl2022@gmail.com or find them on Facebook by searching for JacksonvilleAFFL.
