Teen parenting can present unique challenges and complexities for both parents and their children. Social workers and workshop facilitators play a crucial role in providing support, education, and resources to empower teen parents and promote healthy parent-child relationships.
In this blog post, we will explore tertiary prevention programs designed specifically for families referred by Social Services/Mental Health for child abuse and neglect and/or family dysfunction. These evidence-based programs focus on “re-parenting” to address dysfunctional interactions and break the cycle of abusive and neglectful parenting practices.
We will delve into the available programs, their descriptions, and the resources they offer to assist professionals in their work with teen parents.
1. Parents & Their Infants, Toddlers & Preschoolers – 16 Sessions:
This program, developed and implemented in Louisiana, provides intense group and individual home/parent sessions for families receiving services from child welfare. It consists of 16 group sessions, each lasting 2 1/2 hours, and includes 7 individual home/parent sessions. The program aims to enhance parents’ understanding of their own experiences of abuse and neglect as children, helping them identify and transform harmful parenting beliefs and patterns.
Resources provided:
- Manuals
- Resource Materials
- DVDs and CDs
- Games
- Assessments and Evaluations
- Instructional Aids
- Certificates
- Optional Online Resources
- Optional Professional Manuals
- Optional Supplemental Materials
2. Parents & Their School-Age Children 5-11 Years:
Recognized as one of the top parenting programs in the country, this 15-session group-based program focuses on treating and preventing child abuse and neglect. With over 25 years of research, it helps parents replace unwanted abusive parenting patterns with more nurturing and caring ones. The program involves activities such as discussions, role plays, expressive art activities, and assessments, designed for both parents and children.
Resources provided:
- Streaming Video
- Manuals
- Resource Materials
- DVDs and CDs
- Games
- Assessments and Evaluations
- Instructional Aids
- Certificates
- Optional Online Resources
- Optional Professional Manuals
- Optional Supplemental Materials
3. Young Parents & Their Families – 16 Sessions:
The Nurturing Program for Young Parents and Their Families adopts a competency-based approach. Each lesson focuses on specific competencies that parents need to learn in order to improve their parenting practices. The program includes 16 group sessions, each lasting 2 1/2 hours, along with individual home/parent sessions to ensure the effective implementation of learned skills within the home environment.
Resources provided:
- Manuals
- Resource Materials
- DVDs and CDs
- Games
- Assessments and Evaluations
- Instructional Aids
- Certificates
- Optional Online Resources
- Optional Professional Manuals
- Optional Supplemental Materials
4. Parents & Adolescents:
This program is designed to repair abusive parent-teen relationships. It involves separate group sessions for parents and teens, followed by joint sessions where both parties come together to engage in activities such as role plays, discussions, and drawing. The program aims to enhance communication, respect, and positive interactions within the family unit.
Resources provided:
- Manuals
- Resource Materials
- DVDs and CDs
- Assessments and Evaluations
- Certificates
- Optional Online Resources
- Optional Professional Manuals
- Optional Supplemental Materials
5. Hmong Parents & Adolescents:
Tailored specifically for Hmong families, this program also focuses on repairing abusive parent-teen relationships. It follows a similar structure to the Parents & Adolescents program, with separate and joint group sessions for parents and teens. The program encourages role plays, discussions, drawing, and other activities to foster understanding, communication, and positive family dynamics among Hmong parents and adolescents.
Resources provided:
- Manuals
- DVDs and CDs
- Games
- Certificates
- Optional Professional Manuals
- Program
6. Families in Substance Abuse Treatment & Recovery:
This program is specifically designed for families undergoing substance abuse treatment and recovery. It consists of 17 topic areas, each presented in a 90-minute group session. The program covers various aspects related to substance abuse, parenting, and family dynamics. Additional topics focused on men and fathers are included to address their specific needs and challenges.
Resources provided:
- Manuals
- DVDs and CDs
- Assessments and Evaluations
- Optional Online Resources
- Optional Professional Manuals
- Optional Supplemental Materials
- Program
7. It’s All About Being a Teen:
“It’s All About Being a Teen” is a dynamic and interactive curriculum aimed at empowering teenagers by promoting positive self-worth, personal empowerment, self-discipline, empathy, healthy attachments, and resilient-protective behaviors. Developed from evidence-based nurturing programs, this curriculum consists of 99 lessons and focuses on the complexities and challenges faced by adolescents. It equips professionals with tools to assist teenagers in navigating adolescence successfully.
Resources provided:
- Manuals
- Games
- Optional Professional Manuals
- Program
These tertiary prevention programs offer valuable resources and support for social workers and workshop facilitators working with teen parents. By addressing abusive and neglectful parenting patterns, enhancing communication, and promoting positive interactions within families, these programs aim to break the cycle of dysfunction and provide a nurturing environment for children.
The wide range of resources, including manuals, assessments, DVDs, games, and online materials, equips professionals with the necessary tools to effectively implement these programs. By utilizing these evidence-based resources, social workers and workshop facilitators can make a significant impact. Their impact is on the lives of teen parents and their children, fostering healthy parent-child relationships and promoting positive outcomes for families.