Alberta Children and Youth Services A Report on Parent Link Centres Lethbridge Symposium April, 2009

Parent Link Centres A network of resource centres serving parents, caregivers and children in Alberta. –community-planned and community-based. –comply with province-wide standards. –focus on “the early years” but also provide information and supports for families of older children.

PLC video clip insert here

At the Core of PLCs PLCs provide five core services: –Parent Education –Early Childhood Development; –Family Support; –Information and Referrals; and –Developmental Screening.

Parent Link Centres Unique in the context of family resource programs funded by the Government of Alberta. Play a key role in prevention and early intervention. A welcoming and safe environment where parents can get the parenting resources and programs they need. Service coordination point for education, health, FCSS and other sectors.

Grande Prairie

Cross-Ministry Partnerships Innovation Projects in Developmental Screening. “Talk Box” and “Talking is Key” DVD – speech- language resources with Education and Health. “Bounce Back Books” – Resiliency project with Alberta Mental Health Board. Healthy U Projects: “Snacktivity Boxes” and “Food Smart Booklets”.

Parent Link Centre Participants Unique Participants: –Children 0-6: 25,146 –Youth 7-18: 3,687 –Parents/Caregivers: 29,935

Parent Link Centre Services Total Attendance: Early Childhood Development Programs: –Children 0 to 6: 84,029 –Parents/Caregivers: 66,543 Parent Education Programs: 16,687 Parents Family Support Programs: –Children 0 – 6: 11,907 –Parents/Caregivers: 18,463

Parent Link Centre Services Information Referrals: to 19,622 parents/caregivers Supported Referrals: to 6,725 parents/caregivers Developmental Screens: 6,168 screens completed

Safe Communities Projects Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force. Tabled its Report in September 2007 with 31 recommendations. Four priority areas including, “Families, children and youth”: Recommendation #16: Implement targeted pilot projects to provide comprehensive community-based services to at-risk youth and their families.

Multi-Level Services Intensive individualized interventions Behavioural family intervention Building positive relationships with families Prevention and screening All children and families Children and families identified at-risk Children and families with persistent challenges Adapted from Powell, D., Dunlap, G., & Fox, L. (2006). Prevention and Intervention for the Challenging Behaviors of Toddlers and Preschoolers.

Parent Link Projects Two New Projects: –Implementation of ASQ-SE –Expansion of Triple P Will build upon existing services in PLCs Will address both child and family risk factors

Project Goals & Strategies – ASQ-SE To provide early identification of potential social- emotional or behavioural issues in young children: –Strategy: Children will be screened using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire – Social- Emotional Scale (ASQ-SE). –Staff from all PLCs trained in the use of the ASQ-SE.

Screening in PLCs PLCs already use the basic ASQ. ASQ-SE was developed as a companion tool to the ASQ. ASQ-SE also identified as a strategy in Children’s Mental Health Action Plan.

Uses of the ASQ-SE Monitors a child’s social-emotional development. Helps guide decisions about referrals for further assessment. Determines a family’s need for information and/or support services. Encourages communication between parents and professionals.

Project Goals & Strategies – Triple P To provide parent training and behavioural family intervention to promote positive and effective parenting skills: –Strategy: Expand the delivery of Triple P – Positive Parenting Program in Parent Link Centres.

What is Triple P? Developed in Australia by Professor Matthew Sanders and colleagues. A world-renowned parenting program. An evidence-based program that has been researched and evaluated for over 25 years.

Five Levels of Triple P Level 1 : media-based parent information campaign. Level 2 : Brief one-on-one intervention and advice, and/or 90- minute seminars. Level 3 : Parent skills training delivered in four, 30-minute sessions. Level 4 : Intensive training in positive parenting skills, either through group sessions or individual work with families. Level 5 : Intensive family intervention for parents of children with multiple behavioural problems.

Expansion of Triple P in PLCs Twenty PLCs currently piloting Triple P. Began with Levels 2 and 3. This project will add Levels 4 and 5 to the pilot sites. Also add Level 1 in Funding will be provided for additional staff, training and resources for PLCs.

Multi-Level Services Level Enhanced Triple P Intervention Level 4 Individual and Group Interventions Level 2 and 3 Individual Consultations Level 2 Seminars Intensive individualized interventions Behavioural family intervention Building positive relationships with families Prevention and screening All children Children and families identified at-risk Children and families with persistent challenges *Adapted from Powell, D., Dunlap, G., & Fox, L. (2006). Prevention and Intervention for the Challenging Behaviors of Toddlers and Preschoolers. Level 1 Universal Media Campaign

Summary The PLC Initiative is a unique, comprehensive, community-based family resource program that is fulfilling a vital function in Alberta by promoting the development and well-being of children, youth and families in the province. »PLC Service Assessment, April 2008