SANTA CRUZ, CA – Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, a program of First 5 Santa Cruz County, today announced the list of community and family-focused events happening during January in celebration of Positive Parenting Awareness Month, which highlights the importance for parents and caregivers to develop warm, nurturing relationships with their children and teens and become more confident as parents.
“Triple P is here to help. Families can receive support for raising healthy, thriving children,” said Yesenia Gomez-Carrillo, Triple P Program Manager. “During Positive Parenting Awareness Month, we are excited to partner with community organizations and host free, family-focused events through Santa Cruz County.”
The free events start this weekend with a family Zumba class and a guided hike!
Since 2010, more than 50,000 people — parents, children, caregivers — have benefitted from the Triple P program in Santa Cruz County. Parents and caregivers have attended classes and workshops as well as received individualized support. Triple P is proven to reduce the stress, anxiety, and depression felt by parents and increase their confidence to prevent and handle challenging behaviors, all while improving relationships with their children and teens. Families can also receive support for raising healthy, thriving children through other services provided by community partners, including home visiting, early learning and care, afterschool care, preventive health and dental care, behavioral health care, economic supports and other basic needs.
This year’s theme for Positive Parenting Awareness Month is kindness. Throughout January, Triple P partners will host free, family events at libraries, Family Resource Centers, and other community locations.
POSITIVE PARENTING AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS
Family Zumba at the YMCA (Bilingual)
Bring the whole family together for some fun and fitness with a free Family Latin Dance Class. Enjoy lively Latin beats, easy-to-follow dance moves, and quality time with loved ones in a welcoming, upbeat atmosphere. All ages and skill levels are welcome—no experience necessary. Move, groove, and create memories while staying active as a family.
Jan. 10 and 24 from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. at 27 Sudden St, Watsonville
Family Hike Through Elkhorn Slough, part of Together We Heal (Bilingual)
Join Juan Ramirez, staff of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF), for a day to celebrate family outdoors. Participants will connect with other families and hike at an ESF-protected property. The hike itself will be two hours long through some rare habitats, with constant stops for bird watching, native plant identification, and plenty of restoration stories.
Jan.11 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at 360 Hall Rd, Watsonville
Community Bridges Family Fairs (Bilingual)
Explore local agencies and their services, meet the Triple P Parent Educators, and enjoy a fantastic event filled with food, games and prizes!
Jan. 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Beach Flats Park, 160 Raymond St., Santa Cruz
Jan. 27, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., La Manzana Community Resources, 521 Main St., Watsonville
The Importance of Maintaining and Strengthening Family Values (Spanish only)
Presented by Pajaro Valley Prevention & Student Assistance
This workshop will focus on the ancestral-rooted teachings that have been passed down in traditional stories and lived experiences. These family and cultural values continue to serve as guides to strengthen family relationships and address challenges that are played out in everyday life in our families and communities.
Jan.16 at 5 p.m. at 411 East Lake Ave in Watsonville
Child Development Milestones 0-3 years (English only)
Presented by Stars Therapy Services / Infant Program
Are you curious about your child’s development in the areas of speech, behavior, fine and gross motor, and social-emotional learning? In this workshop, practitioners will cover the basic milestones children should be reaching from ages 0-3, and strategies families can use to get the most out of their child’s early development. A child development specialist and an Occupational Therapist will also be present to provide their expertise and answer any developmental questions you might have. Free therapeutic resources are available through the California Early Start program.
Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. and Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. at First 5 Santa Cruz County Office, 4450 Capitola Rd, Capitola
Triple P Workshop: Being a Parent (Spanish Only)
Presented in Collaboration with Semillitas
Learn about Semillitas, a program that offers a free college savings account for children born in Santa Cruz County on or after January 1, 2021. Semillitas helps families support their children’s educational future. Learn how to track your child’s account progress, how funds are added as they grow and reach milestones, and how the account grows over time. Additionally, by attending a Triple P session, you will be eligible to receive a one-time $50 deposit into your child’s Semillitas account!
January 27, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St, Suite 100, Watsonville
Family Art Day at Pajaro Valley Arts! (Bilingual)
Join Pajaro Valley Arts for a creative afternoon filled with bilingual gallery tours of the #whatever: Members Exhibit and hands-on art activities like tie-dye paintings, bracelet-making, and more in the backyard gardens.
Jan. 30 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. at 37 Sudden St, Watsonville (next to the YMCA). Register at https://forms.gle/RLPv7PpqMubJdbqRA
Laid Back Book Club at the Libraries (Bilingual)
Participate in a family-friendly book activity at your local library throughout the month of January. Read together and express your reflections inspired by the featured books on kindness, using art supplies provided by the library. Enter your name into the raffle box by Feb. 1, 2025, for a chance to win books from First 5’s Triple P program! Participating libraries include Watsonville Public Library and the Santa Cruz Public Libraries – Branciforte, La Selva Beach, Live Oak and Scotts Valley branches.
Additional family-friendly events will be hosted by various community agencies throughout the month. Triple P providers also will offer virtual and in person parenting classes on a variety of topics in English and Spanish. Visit www.first5scc.org/triple-p-classes for details.
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 triplep.first5scc.org, facebook.com/triplepscc, or instagram.com/triplepsantacruz.
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 young 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 ensuring early childhood systems and supports foster equitable health, development, and well-being for all young children and their families. 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.