Nicole Hooper, mother to Riley, 11, and McKinley, 9, both Pequea Valley School District (PVSD) students, first participated in the Strengthening Families program with Riley at the Together Community Center in the fall of 2022. She was so impressed with the program, she is planning to take part again in the spring. "I will do this as long as they are offering it," said Hooper. "You can always gain more (from the program)."

Strengthening Families is a seven-week, evidence-based program developed 30 years ago by Iowa State University for families with children ages 10 to 14. In PVSD, the program is fully funded by a Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health grant and offered by a partnership between Lancaster General Health, The Factory Ministries, and COBYS.

Hooper first connected with The Factory through Anna Beasley, director of adult advocacy. The family benefited from some of the ministry's resources and took part in Lunch & Learns held in the summer of 2022. When Hooper was invited to attend Strengthening Families, she was excited about the prospect. "It sounded like something good to try," she said. "We came to the introduction program, where they have a guest speaker, and the kids get to hear a little bit about what will go on with them."

The aim of Strengthening Families is to help parents and caregivers learn nurturing skills they may use to support their children and to teach them how to effectively discipline and guide their children. It also aims to give youths a healthy future orientation and an increased appreciation of their parents and caregivers and to teach them skills for dealing with stress and peer pressure. Hooper had a few specific goals with regard to communication and discipline. "I was thinking about our communication and how much it mattered," said Hooper, who plans to take part in the next program with her younger daughter, McKinley. "I was concerned about the way (Riley) feels," she said, adding she saw her daughter open up more during the second session. In matters of discipline, Hooper noted that she learned about handing out positive reinforcement along with consequences for negative behaviors. "The program gave me the understanding that there need to be limits and boundaries and open conversations," Hooper said. "(These) show (my children) that they are valued and part of a unit and that we have to interact."

Each program begins with a meal where parents and children can meet and talk to members of the other families attending. The families share information and techniques with each other. "I got new ideas and suggestions for things other families are doing," recalled Hooper. Following the meal, the children and parents are separated for an hour of programming before joining together again for the conclusion.

Hooper noted that the program has changed family dynamics for her and her girls. "Maybe they didn't get (something right) this time, but they can get it if you keep giving them opportunities," she said. "For kids to know that they always have the chance to get it right is a big thing, and having the chance to teach that as a parent as opposed to someone else teaching it is a big reward."

Readers who would like to learn more about the program may visit http://www.lancasterjoiningforces.org/prevention.