New parenting program offered

Project Self-Sufficiency is launching a Smart Parents, Strong Communities public health initiative.

The Triple P Positive Parenting Program incorporates one-on-one consultations, group meetings, online support and in-person classes for parents, health-care professionals, educators and caregivers of children up to the age of 5.

The series aims to address the social and emotional health of parents and children, reinforce social connections, promote knowledge of parenting and child development, and provide concrete support in times of need.

The multi-pronged initiative incorporates online workshops and in-person events offered in English and Spanish.

Online classes for parents will address strategies to encourage positive behavior, partner support and coping with stress, and in-person workshops will focus on positive parenting and raising competent, confident, resilient children.

Workshops and classes will be held throughout the community at libraries, schools, social service agencies and churches. Education materials will be distributed at Project Self-Sufficiency and through online resources.

More in-depth presentations regarding specific parenting issues, such as disobedience, aggression, mealtimes, toilet training and bedtime strategies, will be held at various sites in the community and in partnership with pediatricians, health-care providers and education professionals.

The program also offers online workshops that support early childhood educators to address topics of child development.

The curriculum is used in more than 35 countries and has been shown to work across cultures, socioeconomic groups and in many kinds of family structures.

“ ’Triple P’ gives parents simple and practical strategies to help them build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage their children’s behavior and prevent problems from developing,” said Deborah Berry-Toon, executive director of Project Self-Sufficiency.

“The parenting strategies featured in ‘Triple P’ help improve communication between parents, reduce the stress associated with raising young children and boost parents’ confidence.”

The Smart Parents, Strong Communities initiative aligns with Project Self-Sufficiency’s family programs that help guide residents to resources for a variety of needs:

• Home visitation programs.

• Ongoing community education and training services.

•Job skills training programs targeted to women.

• High school diploma preparation for teens and young adults.

• The central intake hotline.

Participants will have access to the food pantry, career training and employment services, child care and preschool, health awareness and education, adult education, information, referral and advocacy, and basic needs assistance.