Program helps parents and children build bridges

Healthy Families, by Reba Brady

The Valley is holding its Strengthening Families Program classes beginning Sept. 30. The Strengthening Families Program was created in 1983 in an effort to prevent future drug and alcohol abuse and to curb the strain that families could encounter. It began as a four-year prevention research project and was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The research by NIDA yielded results that support the Strengthening Families Program continued success.

All families possess certain risk factors and protective factors. By combining the new parenting skills, the children's new skills, and the family growth activities, these risk factors were significantly reduced while the protective factors were greatly enhanced. NIDA provided results that showed behavioral parenting programs allowed the parents to use discipline effectively and reduced negative, nonproductive behaviors in their children. Children were able to make better decisions without the need for direction from parents. Children also displayed better ability to follow parents' rules after the children's skill-building group. Relationships and bonds were greatly improved at the family enhancement group. When the parent's and the children's groups were run simultaneously, the groups were able to focus on each other when they came together for the family enhancement portion. Not surprisingly, the factors that contribute to alcohol and drug abuse were reduced dramatically.

Building bridges between parents and their children is the focus of the program. Parents will be able to build on their strengths in showing unconditional love while setting reasonable limits. Youth will develop skills to cope with peer pressure and look toward a more positive future. By understanding the family's dynamics and working with their strengths and weaknesses, the family is able to have a more stable and consistent family setting. Where the communication is not strained, there is room for relationship growth between youth and their parents. When families adopt a healthier environment the child feels he or she makes up a portion of an important unit. Parents will feel as though they are more in touch with their children and the respect of all grows.

Classes for SFP will be conducted on Tuesdays, from 4-6:30 p.m. for children 6-10 years of age and their parents. The teens, ages 11-16, and their parents attend sessions on Thursdays from 4-6:30 p.m. These classes are free to the public and child care will be offered for those who have younger children. Snacks will be offered from 4-4:30 p.m. for a warm-up time. Children and their parents are expected to attend at least 10 of the 12 sessions before they graduate, and teens and their parents are expected to attend six out of the seven sessions in order to graduate. The teens are also offered additional booster sessions at six and 12 months that are optional. All classes are held at the Mat-Su Recovery Center in Wasilla.

The Strengthening Families Program is recognized and supported by three national groups, The National Institute on Drug Abuse, The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Education.

For more information about SFP or to sign up, contact Reba Brady, prevention specialist, or Erica Rothenbuhler, prevention counselor, at 376-4000.

Reba Brady has a master of arts degree in counseling and is the prevention specialist at Mat-Su Recovery Center.