Parenting & Family Support
Strengthening Families Program 10–14
Strengthening Families Program 10–14 is a nationally recognized parenting and family strengthening program which seeks to reduce drug and alcohol abuse in youth and to improve social competencies, school performance, and family bonding. Parents and children, ages 10-14, complete classes together:
- Weekly sessions for 7 weeks
- 6:00-8:30 p.m.
- Sessions begin with dinner from 6-6:30 p.m.
- Location TBD
- Parents and youth have separate lessons for the first hour, followed by family classes for the second hour
- Child care is provided for younger children
- Each week, families leave with an activity bag that helps promote bonding
- Transportation assistance is available
Parenting Education
Parenting Education recognizes that parenting is one of the hardest jobs in the world. We help parents navigate any immediate needs for services or supports, and assist them in making sure that their children’s needs are being met, so that they can grow and develop to reach their fullest potential. We serve families with children aged prenatal to 10 years old. Parenting Education services include:
- Regular in-home visits, usually on a weekly basis
- Monthly play groups for parents and young children
- Case management, including referrals to services that promote overall family well-being
- Regular screenings for young children to track their development
- Access to nationally recognized evidence-based and evidence-informed programming, including Parents as Teachers, SafeCare, and Early Childhood Coaching
- Individualized goals (could include behavior management strategies, routines for daily activities, toilet training, and more)
DeClutter
DeClutter helps families and individuals who are at risk of losing custody of their children or their housing due to the physical condition of their home. We take a hands-on, side-by-side approach, empowering family members to make all decisions about what belongings to keep and how to use the space they have. We provide extra hands and assistance with planning and organizing, which helps family members take control of their lives, while increasing safety in their homes.
Family Group Decision Making
Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) offers a process for families or individuals to engage extended family members and natural supports (friends, neighbors, all those invested in the family’s well-being) to work together as a group to develop their own solutions to issues they face. YSB facilitators help widen a family or youth’s circle of support, assist in open communication, and encourage each member of the ‘family group’ to consider how they could either reduce a risk or increase a protective factor. Everyone comes together at a family conference, makes a plan, and receives a written document that captures all that was agreed upon. This plan can then be shared with others, and changed as needed. This process can also be used for teens as they prepare for independence (living on their own, figuring out what to do after high school, etc).
Project Safe and Smart
Project Safe and Smart (PS&S), the Youth Service Bureau, and Centre Safe aim to provide children and families in the Centre Region with the knowledge and tools to prevent child abuse.