Strengthening Families Program

2011-2012 Series

The Strengthening Families Program is a middle school curriculum for 8-14 year old youth and their parent(s)/caregiver(s). It is designed to help families prepare for the teen years, strengthen family communication, and assist the youth with peer resistance techniques. Opportunities are given for families to practice setting rules and consequences, show love and appreciation, practice problem-solving, and have fun as a family. Prizes and awards are given throughout the series. This evidenced-based curriculum includes video presentations, role plays, discussion topics, activities and games. It is a free program that meets approximately 2 to 2-1/2 hours a week for seven weeks and includes an informal dinner each week. The first hour of the program adults and youth meet separately with their own peer group then are reunited with their family during the second hour. Child care is available for children aged 3-9. All families of middle school youth are invited to participate regardless of school affiliation. This includes Clark County Schools, Springfield City Schools, charter schools, and home schools. The Strengthening Families Program is a curriculum designed by Iowa State University and is funded locally through the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Clark, Greene, and Madison Counties and the Clark County Educational Service Center (CCESC). The program began fall, '06 and has been held at the CCESC, Tecumseh Local School District, Perrin Woods Elementary (Springfield City Schools), and Possum Middle School (Clark-Shawnee Local School District). Schools are given the opportunity to host "exclusive" sites open to just their families, however, the entire county will always be invited to the series located at the CCESC.

If you would like to know more about this program please contact Leatrece Terhune at 937-325-7671 ext. 220 or via email at leatrece.terhune@clarkesc.org