Many more children are benefitting from Positive Parenting From Two Homes “For Kids!” now that it is offered in Island schools says Justice and Public Safety Minister Doug Currie.
“By offering Positive Parenting From Two Homes “For Kids!” in schools, we have strengthened the program and doubled the number of young people who are accessing it,” said Minister Currie. “There is no other program like this in the country where trained facilitators are partnering with school guidance counselors to offer age-appropriate information to children in a confidential, supportive school environment. At the end of the program, school guidance counselors remain available to provide helpful follow-up support to the students so the value of the program continues throughout the school year.”
Positive Parenting From Two Homes “For Kids!” is a highly rated program for children experiencing change in their lives because of parental separation, divorce or parenting from two homes. Because of a partnership with Children’s Mental Health Network and funding through the Children’s Secretariat, additional programs are available in more schools and will be expanding to include children at grades 1-3 and intermediate school levels.
Now that the program is offered through the school system, guidance counselors collaborate with trained facilitators to guide children through a series of age-appropriate activities and discussion in five one-hour sessions. The program covers topics such as the definition of family, changes that separation and divorce bring to a family and how these changes affect children. Participants address concerns about how separation and divorce will impact their future, discuss appropriate and inappropriate interaction between parents and children and learn helpful communication skills.
“This can be a confusing, often stressful time in a child’s life,” said Minister Currie. “By participating with other children experiencing a similar situation, they learn they are not alone in their feelings. More importantly, this program teaches children that what is happening between their parents is not their fault.”
This powerful program began in 2002 to complement the Positive Parenting From Two Homes program currently offered to adults in communities across the province. It has been very well received in Island schools.