H.O.W.S. ~ ONE WEEK Intensive Workshop Retreats. Hands-on Skills Training Select Here for more information H.O.M.E. ~ SCHOOL Extensive Distance Training Midwifery Program Select Here for more information Welcome to our Web Site! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We are making plans for a "One Week Intensive" in the latter part of January 2008! If you think you might be interested in attending this workshop, please contact us as soon as possible! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We are currently taking enrollment applications for our "Distance School" / spring class April 2008! If you think you might be interested in our distance learning program, please contact us as soon as possible! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please leave your information on our "Registration Page"or "Contact Page", or call us at 209-983-0870 or 209-982-5640. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ .... and here is a little background information on HOWS and HOME... Cher Simnitt, and How HOWS Came to be! Cher at the age of 8, had her first job as an assistant to a pregnant mom on bed rest (who also had an 18 month old that she chased after and entertained all day). Watching her go through her pregnancy, delivering a healthy baby and breastfeeding, Cher fell in love with pregnant moms, babies, birthing, and the whole process. Cher was married to her husband, John , when she was 16 ½ years old, and one month later, became pregnant and started her family with Amber, who was born in 74. Michael in 76. The Simntt family later adopted two more children, bringing them home at three days old; James born in 88 and Kayla in 89. After several years of tubal pregnancies and lost babies, James was such a blessing, and then Kayla 18 months later. Today, the children have all grown up, married, and have brought forth several grand babies. (How did that happen?) Cher's great grandmother, Patty Bartlet, also a midwife, delivered four thousand babies in her lifetime. Following in the genepool of her grandmother, it is easy to see that midwifery is in Cher's blood, and not just a passing fad. Through the Challenge process, and in becoming state licensed as a midwife in the State of California, Cher realized the "incredible need" of a better learning enviornment to become a responsible midwife, well versed in the maternal birthing processes. Having taught homeschool with her children and friends since 1984, she was full of ideas that could revolutionize the way midwifery education and skills could be learned. After talking with many other midwives and midwifery students, it became apparent to Cher, that the problem in learning midwifery skills and education, was not the inability of the students being able to learn, but rather the inability of the educators to bring together both book knowlege and hands-on experience into a healthy and full learning enviornment. Cher came to the realization that .... Midwifery is hands-on.... in nature. How can we create a hands-on training program without compromising moms and babies? How can we make both - skills and book learning - rewarding, so the students would be self motivated to press in and learn? After speaking with directors of several midwifery programs, and sharing her ideas, it became apparent that Cher was the only one willing to take on this adventure. Cher finally made the decision to create HandsOn Work Shops. (HOWS). The first week long - Work Shop - was incredible, passing far beyond what Cher and every one of the attendees had ever expected. And the ones that followed grew better each time. Cher with much help from her assistant, spent the next two years doing extensive research and putting together material, worksheets, and drawings. These all being complemented by innovative school projects to help bring home "the important topics" being covered. Several years ago, Cher's severly disabled mom who was in her care, reached a point that required full time- 24 hour attention. At that point, with a heavy heart, the decision was made to temporarily put the school and workshops on hold. Cher's mom passed away in 2005 and Cher has taken the last two years to allow herself some time to heal. And now, with renewed enthusiasim and energy, Cher looks forward to picking up where she left off. Cher says there will be some changes. Because of her effort to stay abreast of the current midwifery practices, laws and trends; both -workshops and school are a continual "work in progress". The one week intensive workshops will remain Hands On Work Shops, (HOWS); however, the school will be receiving a moderate facelift; which also includes being run under the name of "Hands On Midwifery Education", (HOME). .....where great midwives are born!!!
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