Char-Koosta News
The Official Publication of the Flathead Nation online
Strengthening Families Program graduates familiesBy Alyssa Kelly PABLO — The Strengthening Families Program hosted a graduation on May 3,2007 at Two Eagle River School for 11 families that completed the commitment of the fourteen week program. The program's goal is to teach families important skills in order of functioning positively within the family unit. Some of the participants were referred to the program through numerous organizations, while some joined out of curiosity. The program is hosted through several tribal departments including probation, CVA, and Coalition for kids. DHRD also made accommodations of transportation for families without vehicles. The weekly program begins with a dinner and then the families are broken into sessions based on their age range. The skills are taught to the groups, modeled, and then practiced in life. Every week the family learns a new skill. The
following are a list of skills the graduating families learned through
the program:
Group building How to manage stress Rewarding Goal setting Communication Family meetings and organization Effects of alcohol and drugs on families Problem solving Giving direction Setting limits Solving behavior problems Building and using behavior programs One participant, Aggie Incashola, joined the group because she recently adopted children into her home and felt there was a need for refreshment on her family skills. "The most important thing I learned from the program was support. There is a lot of support within the groups and it let's you know you're not alone in situations," says Aggie. For more information on the program and when the next groups will be in session you can contact Melanie Smith at 675-2700 (Extension: 1143) |
