BEST START FOR FAMILIES | LUTHERAN CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES OF ILLINOIS

Provides a community strategy for violence prevention. Key programs can be offered through communities, schools, agencies, and other institutions. Trains parents, children, and facilitators to implement empathy-based interactions into their daily lives. Curriculum is used in parent/caregiver and child learning groups. These groups ensure that children are support in a positive and loving way. CCWF trains services providers as Facilitators of the "ICDP-USA Best Start" program. "The Best Start" is an evidence-based program which strengthens psycho-social competencies of professionals working with parents and caregivers in their practice, as well as in their facilitation of Parent Learning Groups. Parents/Caregivers Program: Provides a parental education program. Participants learn from peers and professional to better understand empathy-based interactions and their effect on children. Parents learn how social emotional skills strengthen family relationship, and share ideas on teaching empathy, setting positive boundaries, focusing attention, teaching children self-control, and finding joy in family. Program is offered in English and Spanish. Children/Youth Program: Program supports youth to better understand themselves in order to build healthy relationships. Sessions are structured around activities and discussion questions to explore youth's potential development. Program is designed to help youth investigate and strengthen their relationships with friends, family, and - if they are a parent - their children. Program is strengths-based where participants celebrate each other and recognize positive attributes within others. Program participants: - Share experiences with other parents undergoing similar challenges. - Explore the program curriculum and learn how to apply it in suitable ways with their children. - Learn methods to have more positive, nurturing interactions with their children, especially in stressful situations. - Receive a certificate upon completion.

Date of Last Formal Update

04/30/2024

Data provided by

PATH Inc. 211

Location

411 Stevens Street, Geneva, IL 60134

Hours

Mon-Fri: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Eligibility

Parents/Caregivers Program: - No restrictions. Children/Youth Program: - Resident of area served. - Youth ages 12-24.

Fee

Fees vary, contact for more information.

Agency info

LUTHERAN CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES OF ILLINOIS