For Immediate Release – December 16, 2014
JANUARY 2015 PROCLAIMED TO BE POSITIVE PARENTING AWARENESS MONTH
IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – First 5 Santa Cruz County, which manages the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, today announced that January 2015 has been proclaimed Positive Parenting Awareness Month by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. The proclamation notes that, while parenting is very rewarding and enjoyable, it can also be challenging and exhausting, and yet it is often the most important role an adult will play. Research shows that the quality of parenting is one of the most powerful predictors of children’s social-emotional health. Families come in many forms, and parenting is provided by parents, grandparents, family members and other caregivers. Positive parenting helps parents and caregivers develop warm, nurturing relationships with their children, become more confident as parents and ensure greater well-being for their families.
As noted in the proclamation, “in Santa Cruz County, families can take advantage of various positive parenting programs, such as the scientifically-proven Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, which is offered at low- or no-cost, in English and Spanish, by many local organizations and individuals, thanks to a partnership between First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (via the Mental Health Services Act) and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department.”
Since the launch of Triple P in Santa Cruz County in 2010, approximately 10,000 parents and children in Santa Cruz County have benefited from services. The positive outcomes for parents who participate are significant, based on surveys of participants. On average:
The majority (78%) of parents receiving in-depth support report improvements in their children’s behaviors after participating in Triple P;
The majority (77%) of parents receiving in-depth support report improvements in their parenting style;
Improvements are even greater among parents experiencing more significant parenting challenges at the start of the Triple P program. By the end of the program, 90% of parents report improvements in their children’s behaviors, as well as a decrease in their stress; and
Participants report a high level of satisfaction with the quality of Triple P services their families received.
To mark Positive Parenting Awareness Month, Triple P Santa Cruz County will release its third Pocket Guide For Parents. The Pocket Guide for Parents of with Children with Special Needs provides tips on everyday parenting challenges. Pocket Guides are also available for parents of children ages birth to 12 and teens.
Partners in the Triple P Santa Cruz County collaborative will also offer numerous parenting classes and events in January, including:
EVENTS
Triple P Parent Education Open House
Hosted by La Manzana Community Resources
January 20, 3-4:30 pm
521 Main St, Watsonville (in outdoor courtyard)
Stop by for food, games and a chance to win prizes! Meet La Manzana’s Triple P practitioners, learn more about the Triple P program, pick up a Parenting Pocket Guide, and sign up for a class or one-on-one services.
Triple P at Toys R Us
Hosted by Mountain Community Resources
January 24, 1-3 pm
1660 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz (inside the store)
Stop by for a chance to win prizes! Meet Mountain Community Resources’ Triple P practitioners, learn more about the Triple P program, pick up a Parenting Pocket Guide, and sign up for a class or one-on-one services.
Classes in English
January 13, 6-8 pm
8-Week Group for Families with Children 2-12 years old
Mountain Community Resources, 6134 Hwy. 9, Felton
(this class meets Tuesdays for eight weeks)
January 15, 6-8 p.m.
Seminar: The Power of Positive Parenting
Circle of Friends Preschool, 111 Navarra Drive, Scotts Valley
January 22, 6-8 p.m.
Seminar: Raising Confident, Competent Children
Circle of Friends Preschool, 111 Navarra Drive, Scotts Valley
January 29, 6-8 p.m.
Seminar: Raising Resilient Children
Circle of Friends Preschool, 111 Navarra Drive, Scotts Valley
Bilingual (English and Spanish) Classes:
January 20, 6-8 pm
Promoting Positive Behaviors at School/Promoviendo El Comportamiento Positivo en la Escuela
Soquel Elementary School, 2700 Porter St., Soquel
Classes in Spanish
January 12, 5:30-7:00 pm
Taller: Promoviendo El Comportamiento Positivo en la Escuela
La Manzana Recursos Comunitarios, 521 Main St., Room E, Watsonville
January 13, 6-8 pm
Grupo de 8 Semanas: Familias con Adolescentes
Ceiba College Prep School, 260 West Riverside Dr, Watsonville
(esta clase se reúne los martes durante ocho semanas)
January 20, 5-6:30 pm
Grupo de 4 Semanas: Previniendo Berrinches
La Manzana Recursos Comunitarios, 521 Main St., Room E, Watsonville
(esta clase se reúne los martes durante cuatro semanas)
January 22, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Taller: Problemas a la Hora de Comer
La oficina de WIC de Santa Cruz, 1105 Water St., Santa Cruz
January 26, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Fomentando El Autoestima De Su Niño
La Manzana Recursos Comunitarios, 521 Main St., Room E, Watsonville
About Triple P
The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is a world-renowned program available to families in Santa Cruz County who have children ages birth to 16, including children with special needs. Backed by more than 30 years of international, scientific research, Triple P offers families proven strategies for strengthening relationships with their children and for preventing or managing a full range of parenting challenges. The program is available to all families in Santa Cruz County through a partnership between First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. For more, visit http://triplep.first5scc.org or facebook.com/triplepscc.
About First 5 Santa Cruz County
First 5 Santa Cruz County invests in health, early learning and family support to promote the well-being of children. A growing body of scientific evidence points to the economic and societal impacts of investing in the early years. First 5 Santa Cruz County is dedicated to giving children the opportunities they need to reach their full potential. First 5 Santa Cruz County was established by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in December 1998 by urgency ordinance to ensure that family-friendly services and education are available, so that each child reaches the fifth year of life healthy, ready and able to learn, and emotionally well developed. We are committed to involving community members, as well as professionals working with young children and their families. For more information, visit www.first5scc.org.
Contact
Jennifer Squires, 831-515-2802