Strengthening Families Program (SFP)
SFP helps parents/caregivers and their children improve family life and relationships. Through SFP groups, parents learn tools for positive discipline and strengthen their parenting skills while youth improve their communication and social skills, and reduce the impact of negative influences. SFP is appropriate for traditional and non–traditional family units of all backgrounds and circumstances. It is especially useful for youth at risk of, or showing signs of behavioral problems and substance abuse.
Services
SFP groups are available for families with young children, school aged children, and adolescents. Using curricula specifically developed for the age, each SFP group is tailored to the developmental needs and challenges of the group. Groups are facilitated by trained mental health professionals, and community members.
SFP trainers can work with community groups that prefer to offer SFP at their own sites. MHA trains your group facilitators to deliver the evidence-based Strengthening Families Curriculum and provides logistical support and ongoing consultation to deliver the program. Community facilitators do not need any specific prior experience, training, or education – just an interest in working with families.
SFP is a 14-week program composed of separate skills development groups for parents and their children, followed by a joint family group in which families practice newly-learned skills, with feedback and support from facilitators. SFP is usually scheduled during the early evening, to accommodate the schedule of working parents, and includes dinner. Dinner provides an opportunity for families to eat together in a relaxed setting, while also strengthening social skills.
SFP for children ages 12 to 16 encourages youth to set goals, think independently, make choices independent of peer pressure, and teaches skills to resist negative peer influence.
Information/Referrals
For more information, contact Kelly Darrow, LCSW, Assistant Executive Director, at Darrowk@mhawestchester.org or (914) 345-5900 ext. 7507.
Hours and Locations
SFP is available at your site in Westchester County or at an MHA facility. SFP sessions are typically scheduled during the early evening to accommodate family schedules. It is also available during weekend hours.
Contact Kelly Darrow, LCSW, Assistant Executive Director, at Darrowk@mhawestchester.org or (914) 345-5900 ext. 7507 for a current schedule and location.
Languages Spoken
Services are provided in English.
Cost
Currently, families with children between ages 12 and 18 may be eligible to participate at no cost. Costs to community organizations seeking to host SFP vary with the level of MHA support required.
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