Strengthening Families Program: The Gonzalez Family
The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is a nationally and internationally recognized evidence-based parenting and family-strengthening program. This program focuses on caregivers with children ages six to 11 and, over the course of 14 weekly sessions, families learn to develop positive discipline practices, stay resilient in tough times, strengthen communications skills and assist children with social skills, relationships and school performance. SFP has been selected as the model family program by communities across the US in their commitment to prevent and reduce substance abuse and other risky behaviors facing youth and their parents, including delinquency, academic performance and child maltreatment. Funding for SFP is provided by Children's Trust of South Carolina.
How Our Family Implements SFP During COVID-19 Quarantine
The quarantine has been very stressful on our family. With three kids being out of school but needing to continue to keep up with schoolwork, we have used our family meetings that we learned about at SFP. Every few days we get together as a family and discuss what to expect as far as homework, chores and time together to relax. It has really helped the kids stay in routine when they know what to expect. We make sure to spend some time together to bond, encourage and uplift one another during this scary time!! So thankful for SFP for giving us the tools our family needed to make it through this hard time.
In lesson six, families learn why communication is so important and why good communication is necessary for a relationship to survive and grow.
Communication:
One of the most important skills that parents can learn and use.
Helps build happy and meaningful relationships.
Is the key to making other parenting skills work (social rewards, noticing, etc.)
Helps people understand what’s going on in their lives so they can do something about it.
Puts feelings and issues in proportion and clarifies problems.
Helps label feelings and emotions and gives people a handle on them and more control over them.
Helps solve problems.
Sincerely,
The Gonzalez Family
A Note from Our SFP Site Coordinator
Hopeful Horizons SFP staff had the opportunity to meet another amazing and strong family, The Gonzalez Family. We initially met this family while hosting SFP at Mossy Oaks Elementary School back in the fall of last year. Around the third session, Rebecca stated that her family enjoyed coming to the program; however, they would not be able to continue due to her son’s commitment to playing football.
Being the awesome parents that they are, Rebecca and Joe wanted to fulfill their son’s wishes while supporting his athletic endeavors, and we supported their decision.
SFP returned to Mossy Oaks Elementary School this spring and we were happy to invite the Gonzalez family to this new cycle. Although SFP has been suspended due to the pandemic, the Gonzalez family continues to utilize the skills that were provided in the first eight classes and have not lost their desire to complete the program. We anticipate the Gonzalez family graduating from SFP as we move forward with providing the program virtually.
Special thanks to Tina Johnson, assistant principal at Mossy Oaks Elementary School, for her commitment and dedication to supporting the families of SFP.
We are honored to know this family and we salute Joe for his service to our country. Thank you, Gonzalez family, for making a difference in our community.
Dee Scott
Site Coordinator, Strengthening Families Program
