“Strengthening Families Interagency Effective Practice Approach”. Irish Youth Justice Service Conference. 7 th March 2007

Strengthening Families Programme Developed by Dr. Karol Kumpfer - Professor of Health Promotion and Education, University of Utah Developed by Dr. Karol Kumpfer - Professor of Health Promotion and Education, University of Utah Started in 1982 for a range of age groups up to 18 years. Started in 1982 for a range of age groups up to 18 years. Emphasises the critical role of families in prevention and reducing risk. Emphasises the critical role of families in prevention and reducing risk. Evidenced Based Programme – Proven success where drug use is problematic. Evidenced Based Programme – Proven success where drug use is problematic.

SFP: Important Points SFP is three skills courses: Parenting, Teen’s, & Family Skills. SFP is three skills courses: Parenting, Teen’s, & Family Skills. SFP skills are for all families; they are not special skills for crisis families. SFP skills are for all families; they are not special skills for crisis families. SFP does make learning “Life Skills” easier for high stress families. SFP does make learning “Life Skills” easier for high stress families. SFP “family” is one or more adults SFP “family” is one or more adults responsible for one or more children; a “parent” is an adult with that responsibility responsible for one or more children; a “parent” is an adult with that responsibility

Strengthening Families Programme (SFP) SFP: 3 Life Skills Courses: Parents, Teen’s & Family Skills SFP: 3 Life Skills Courses: Parents, Teen’s & Family Skills All three are taught together, typically over 14 weeks All three are taught together, typically over 14 weeks Courses can be “unbundled” but are most effective when taught together Courses can be “unbundled” but are most effective when taught together

SFP Typical Class Session FAMILY STYLE MEAL 1 Hour Simultaneously + 1 Hour TEEN GROUP PARENT GROUP FAMILY GROUP or GROUPS

A Typical Weekly Session Dinner: families sit together, with other families & Group Leaders Dinner: families sit together, with other families & Group Leaders 1st Class Hour: Parents’ Group and Teen’s Group 1st Class Hour: Parents’ Group and Teen’s Group 2nd Class Hour: families rejoin & divide into two Family Groups 2nd Class Hour: families rejoin & divide into two Family Groups Baby-sitting & activities for younger children under 12. Awards for participants. Baby-sitting & activities for younger children under 12. Awards for participants.

Staffing Top Qualifications for Leaders: Top Qualifications for Leaders: sincere desire to help families learn SF sincere desire to help families learn SF personal skills: one-to-one & group personal skills: one-to-one & group understanding why and how SFP works understanding why and how SFP works 4 Group Leaders: 2 for Parent Group, 2 for Teen’s Group 4 Group Leaders: 2 for Parent Group, 2 for Teen’s Group Group Leaders: Group Leaders: May be mix salaried and hourly contracted staff balancing teams to include men & women, ethnicities. In Ireland, progressing in an interagency approach and this is a new element in the development of this programme. May be mix salaried and hourly contracted staff balancing teams to include men & women, ethnicities. In Ireland, progressing in an interagency approach and this is a new element in the development of this programme.

Strengthening Families overview to date in Ireland Interagency Approach – Community, Voluntary & Statutory involvement. Interagency Approach – Community, Voluntary & Statutory involvement. Success in the Irish Context - pilot in Cork in 2007…projects and training developing nationwide. Success in the Irish Context - pilot in Cork in 2007…projects and training developing nationwide. A new method of practice for workers. A new method of practice for workers. Broad Scope of Programme – proven effective in diverse settings urban/rural, minority groups. Broad Scope of Programme – proven effective in diverse settings urban/rural, minority groups.

Referral Agencies Community, Voluntary or Statutory agencies working with young people, parents or families Community, Voluntary or Statutory agencies working with young people, parents or families Open to interagency work or capacity to run the programme independently Open to interagency work or capacity to run the programme independently Commitment by referring agent to support referred families for the duration of the Programme. Commitment by referring agent to support referred families for the duration of the Programme.

Programme Facilitators Staff or volunteers who work with young people, parents or families Staff or volunteers who work with young people, parents or families Matching of the goals of SFP to work remit Matching of the goals of SFP to work remit Organisational commitment to staff availability for the duration of the programme Organisational commitment to staff availability for the duration of the programme

Reflections. What are the benefits of maintaining an inter agency ethos in the development of this Programme. What are the benefits of this approach towards “best practice”. What are the benefits of maintaining an inter agency ethos in the development of this Programme. What are the benefits of this approach towards “best practice”. Is the current development of this programme in Ireland encompassing the vision of the Children’s Act. Is the current development of this programme in Ireland encompassing the vision of the Children’s Act. Questions and Answers Questions and Answers