Submitted by: Beverley Polon | Swan Valley Communities That Care has completed another cycle of both the Positive Parenting program (Triple P) and the Guiding Good Choices (GGC) parenting programs. Parents and caregivers participated in the programs, which ran from January 18 to March 22, 2018. These parent workshops were held at Taylor School.
Triple P Parenting Builds Skills for Strong Families
The Triple P – 8 week program, gives parents the skills they need to build strong family relationships, manage misbehavior and prevent problems from occurring in the first place. In this program, parents and caregivers spend the first four sessions in the classroom learning tips and skill building for guiding their child as they grow! Sessions 5-7, consists of a facilitator contacting parents once a week, by phone, to provide support and guidance as parents continue to practice using the strategies they learned in sessions 1-4. The final session, is a wrap up. A chance for parents to share stories, see just how far they have come, and to ask any other questions they may have.
Guiding Good Choices (GGC) Parenting Course Strives To Reduce Risk of Substance Abuse
Another Guiding Good Choices parent workshop concluded on Feb 22, 2018. Guiding Good Choices is a five-session program that teaches parents of children ages 9-14 how to reduce the risk that their children will develop substance abuse. However, parents also learned how to strengthen family bonds, set clear family position on drugs, teach children skills they need to make healthy choices and increase children’s involvement in the family. During session 3, youth ages 9-14 participated in the session with their parents or caregivers. In this session, the families practiced refusal skills. It was a great way for youth to learn how to identify trouble and how to use refusal skills in these pressured situations.
Participation in these parenting programs is FREE of charge, thanks to Swan Valley Communities That Care. Each evening families meet prior to the session for a free meal. This gave families the opportunity to socialize with other families. While parents were in the sessions, free supervised childcare was available. Ecole students and one Board member all graciously donated their time to assist with activities in the gym. The kids had lots of fun in the gym!
Plans are underway to host more workshop in 2018. This is an excellent program for ALL parents or caregivers. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon McCarthy at svctcprograms@gmail.com or at (204)731-4577.