The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is a 12 to 14-week parenting and family skills training program for high-risk and general-population families. The whole family attends and practices new relationship skills together in 2-hour family group sessions. SFP is an evidence-based program designed to significantly improve parenting skills and family relationships, reduce child maltreatment, children’s problem behaviors, delinquency, and alcohol, and drug abuse; and improve social competencies and school performance.
There are four age variants of the Strengthening Families Program. The SFP was originally developed for families with children aged 6-11 (SFP 6-11). Later SFP for ages 12-16 was added (SFP 12-16), followed by SFP for ages 3-5 (SFP 3-5) and SFP for ages Birth-3 (SFP Birth-3).
When and where do strengthening families Programs take place?
Historically the SFP curriculum would include three 12-14 week components: Parent Training, Children’s Skills Training, and Family Life Skills Training. Parents and youth would attend weekly SFP skills classes, learning parenting skills as well as youth life and refusal skills. There were separate classes for parents and youth in the first hour, followed by a joint family practice session in the second hour.
However, at this time we are conducting virtual group meetings for only the parents and other caregivers, supplemented by online lessons, handouts, and homework, as well as phone support.
Do strengthening families Programs take the place of therapy?
Strengthening Families Programs do not take the place of individual or family therapy. Parents and caregivers experiencing issues around substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health challenges, or other immediate crisis may be encouraged to seek therapeutic support to stabilize themselves before attending Strengthening Families Programs.
