Strengthening Families Program
Introducing The Center for Urban Youth and Family Development's Strengthening Families Program
We are pleased to offer this program free of charge to our community, specifically tailored for parents of youth aged 10-14.
Register Here
The Center for Urban Youth and Family Development's Strengthening Families Program is a fantastic experience for your entire family! By participating, not only are you helping to strengthen our community, but over the course of 10 sessions, your family will:
1. Enhance your parenting skills and family relationships.
2. Reduce problem behaviors.
3. Improve social competencies and enhance school performance.
4. Enjoy delicious meals and have a great time!
Curious about what these eleven sessions entail?
In the first hour, parents/caregivers and youth will meet separately with our facilitators:
• Facilitators will lead guided discussions with parents, focusing on improving family interactions.
• Youth will engage in games and activities designed to teach them valuable skills for better relationships with peers, siblings, and parents/caregivers.
In the second hour, parents/caregivers and youth will come together as a family:
• Families will bond through participation in activities and projects aimed at developing communication and problem-solving skills.
• Families will learn how to help youth navigate peer pressure, improve communication skills, solve problems individually and as a family, and savor quality family time together.
Topics Covered:
• Resisting peer pressure
• Stress reduction
• Identifying family values
• Enhancing communication skills
• Problem-solving techniques
• Goal setting
• Better mutual understanding
Benefits Extend to Communities Too!
For every dollar invested in the Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14, $9.60 returns to the community in the form of reduced jail time, decreased work absenteeism, and less time spent in treatment.
This program has been recognized as the number one prevention program out of 6,000 for its long-term impact on substance use and misuse by Dr. David Foxcroft of Oxford Brookes University.
Strengthening Families is a research-informed approach aimed at boosting family strengths, promoting child development, and reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect. It revolves around engaging families, programs, and communities to build five key Protective Factors:
1. Parental resilience
2. Social connections
3. Knowledge of parenting and child development
4. Concrete support in times of need
5. Social and emotional competence of children
The Strengthening Families framework has led to policy and practice changes in over 30 states, focusing on these protective factors when working with children and families.
Learn How to Strengthen Your Family:
One participant shared, "My daughter and I both felt this would be a waste of time. We were wrong. Not only has it shown me ways to deal with the troubled times we as parents face raising our children, she also learned to handle the stresses of being a teenager and peer pressure. We have shared the things that we have learned with others in our family who did not attend the program. I have to say that things are going much better for us all."
In this program, you will learn how to express love while setting boundaries, listen to your child, and help family members appreciate each other better. All families possess strengths, and this program will empower your family to become even stronger!
Program Benefits:
Participant evaluations, when compared to families not in the program, demonstrate:
• Significantly lower rates of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use among youth.
• Fewer conduct problems in school for youth.
• Parents acquire skills to build positive relationships with their youth, set appropriate limits, and follow through on consequences.
These positive outcomes have been sustained for 6 to 10 years after families completed the program.
Proven to Be Effective:
The World Health Organization has recognized the Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 as the #1 prevention program out of 6,000 programs analyzed for its long-term effects on substance use and misuse. Thousands of families across the United States and in over 20 countries have already benefited from this award-winning program.
If you're interested in our Strengthening Families Program, please call us at (313)340-3101 or email us at cuyfddetroit@gmail.com.