Free To Grow
Mailman School
of Public Health
Columbia University
722 West 168th Street,
8th Floor
New York, NY 10032
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Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities
Parent Education: Special Populations
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A Violence Prevention Parent Training Program
Designed by Marilyn Steele, Ph.D., the Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities program addresses the needs of parents of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds who have children ages three to 18. The program brings together several prevention and intervention strategies designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and reduce violence against self, the family and the community. The program consists of 12 weekly, three-hour long parent-training classes that are held at a variety of locations, including churches, schools and community agencies. Through parent education and discussion, the program aims to prevent or reduce substance abuse, teen suicide, juvenile delinquency, involvement in gangs, child abuse and domestic violence. Its short-term objectives are to increase parents' sense of competence and involvement in community activities; improve parent-child and family interactions and raise children's self-esteem, self-discipline and social competency.
(Adapted from information on the Strengthening Families website, 2002, www.strengtheningfamilies.org, and used with the permission of Strengthening America's Families Project—Effective Family Programs for the Prevention of Delinquency, and Consulting and Clinical Services)
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Evaluation
Research shows participating parents had significant improvements in their sense of being competent, in family/parent/child interactions and child competence and behavior. Program participation has been shown to increase parents' engagement in community activities and interest in political issues and their children's schools. In addition, the program helps parents resolve child-rearing issues, promotes family and community bonding, pride in cultural heritage and reduces life-threatening risks for children.
(Adapted from information on the Strengthening Families website, 2002, www.strengtheningfamilies.org, and used with the permissions of Strengthening America's Families Project—Effective Family Programs for the Prevention of Delinquency, and Consulting and Clinical Services)
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