Strengthening Families program coming back to Jasper County

The Strengthening Families program, a time for families with children ages 10-14 to come together in September and October, was highlighted at the Jasper County Board of Health meeting Thursday. Organized by public health coordinator Kristina Winfield, the program provides care-givers and kids the tools, skills and strategies to build strong families.

“It is the number one prevention strategy program in the world for youth,” Winfield said. “We are very fortunate it is based out of Iowa in Ames.”

The program runs from 6 to 8 p.m. for seven weeks every Wednesday beginning Sept. 18 and concluding Oct. 30 at the ISU Extension and Outreach location at Newton DMACC, room 119, 550 N. Second Ave. W. There is no cost for attendance and a meal will be provided from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

“You come together as a family, eat a nice meal and then for one hour the parents learn a lesson and the youth learn a lesson and then we come together and have impactful lessons as a family,” Winfield said. “I went through it with my daughter, the last program and our favorite was probably making our family tree.”

During the first hour, caregivers and youth meet separately with facilitators. They will lead guided discussions with parents focusing on improving family interactions while youth participate in games and activities that teach them how to get along with peers, siblings and caregivers. The second hour has the two groups come together as a family and begin participating in activities and projects that develop communication and problem-solving skills. As a family, they will earn to help youth deal with peer pressure, improve communication skills, solve problems individually as well as a family and enjoy family time together.

Topics that will be included in the lessons range from peerpressure resistance, reducing stress and problem solving to better communication skills, goal stetting and understanding each other better.

“It helps really build those resilience factors, it helps kids to learn how to avoid peer pressure and it helps parents with how to deal with kids ages 10 to 14 because we all know how challenging that can be,” Winfield said.

Named the World Health Organization’s number one prevention program when being analyzed for long-term effects on substance use and misuse, the program has shown youth participants had significantly lower rates of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use and fewer conduct problems at school. For caregivers, they learned to build a positive relationship with their youth, set appropriate limits and follow through on consequences.

Feedback given from the first program in Jasper County last spring included from the youth: “This will help your family. You will see a difference,” “The leaders are all very understanding, amazing and fun. They will help you through rough spots” and “It was so much fun and you even get free food.”

For caregivers, they commented on the quality time it gave their families saying “My daughter and I had discussions we never would have had without the program” and “This has helped me connect with my youth. It has made home life more smooth for the whole family.”

For more information about Strengthening Families, contact program coordinator Hannah McMunn at hmcmunn@efr.org or 515-471-2352. The program is funded by a grant through the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Jasper County Care Coalition.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com