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Support > Positive Parenting

Strengthening Families Program (SFP)

The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) helps parents / caregivers and their 12-16 year old children improve family life and family relationships while reducing the influence of negative influences on youth. SFP works by helping parents strengthen their parenting skills while helping youth identify their dreams and goals, as well as ways to work toward them. Youth are encouraged to make their own choices, determine what they will do and who they will be even as they are taught skills to resist negative peer influences. Parents are helped to encourage and support their children’s goals, while also learning about effective limit setting, discipline, and communication. An evidence based program, research shows that SFP is an effective program for families of diverse backgrounds and circumstances. SFP is for traditional and non-traditional family units.

Is It For Me?

Are you -

Part of a family that includes youth between 12 and 16 years of age?
Willing to commit to a 14 week (once per week) cycle program?
Able to take part in a group setting?
Willing to trying what you learn in group at home between group sessions?

For information regarding services through this program, please contact Assistant Executive Director Kelly Darrow at 914-345-5900, extension 233, or email us at darrowk@mhawestchester.org.

What We Deliver

The SFP is different from other parenting programs. After a group dinner, in the first part of an SFP session, parent and teen skills training groups meet at the same time to talk about similar topics, each from their own points of view. Then, in the next part of the session, parents and teens come back together for the family skills group. The family group provides the opportunity to practice skills with support, feedback and modeling by group facilitators. Most other parenting programs address parents only, whereas youth social skills groups typically address youth only. We are able to adjust the SFP model to fit the needs and backgrounds of participating families.

Where

The SFP is offered two times per year either on-site at a MHA location or in collaboration with a community program.

When

SFP cycles are generally offered in the Spring and the Fall of each year but can be flexible based on a specific groups needs.

o Spring 2009: May 14, 2009 – August 13, 2009 @ YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester

o Wednesday Evenings: September 16, 2009 – December 16, 2009 @ YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester

Languages Spoken

Groups are currently offered in English but with a community provider groups in Spanish may be available.

Cost

Programs are offered at no cost to participants

Staff/Service Providers

Each session of SFP is delivered by at least four trained facilitators. The parent and teen groups are each led by two facilitators. The four facilitators then work collaboratively in the family skills group. Facilitators are identified MHA staff or members of the community who have been trained in the SFP model by MHA. SFP facilitators are adults with a variety of skills and experience in working with families. A Program Director has oversight responsibility for the program as well as being available to facilitate any one of the groups.

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