PARENTING PROGRAM TEACHES SKILLS FOR HEALTHY FAMILIES:
Improving parent-child relationships is the focus of a series of discussion sessions beginning September 13, 2010 from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM at Catholic Social Services.
The discussions will be based on Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP), the most widely used parenting education program in the county.
More than three million people throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries have participated in STEP discussion groups and used the accompanying Parent’s Handbook since American Guidance Service (AGS) of Circle Pines, Minnesota, introduced the program more than twenty years ago.
STEP encourages mutual respect between parent and child, increased cooperation, more effective communication, and a more responsible, self-reliant attitude amoung children.
The trend in parenting education is a result of many social changes-among them dual working parents, single parents, and stepfamilies. The challenges are there, and STEP can help.
A diverse group of organizations uses STEP: schools, religious groups, community centers, social service agencies, mental health centers, hospitals, individuals, and state and local government agencies.
The parents who have participated in STEP groups say they find the program helpful for many reasons. High on the list is the opportunity it provides them to share experiences and learn from others. Some STEP leaders speak of networks of parents that have grown up locally around the program. Others say the STEP enables parents to "learn new ways to handle persistent problems," "to get in touch with their feelings and their child’s" and to overcome a sense of guilt and develop a sense of confidence and self-esteem.
STEP is also credited for improving participants’ relationships with other people, including husbands, wives, employers, and employees. Benefits cited for children include the change for children to take more responsiblity for their own behavior, a calmer, more relaxing environment in which to develop emotionally, and less spanking and parent "snooper-vision."
For more information on STEP groups being organized in Port Huron, MI contact Catholic Social Services at 810-987-9100.
The cost of the program is $280.00 for an 8 week session and $15.00 for the book. Insurances may be billed for the program.