Envision Counselling and Support Centre is looking to provide free, voluntary parenting support for families who would like extra assistance through its Diversion Program.
The program works with families as a short-term support that encourages the healthy development of families and children so they may achieve their full potential.
鈥淲hen families are given support, education and resources they are able to recognize and build on their strengths,鈥� said Envision鈥檚 assistant executive director Lynda Rideout. 鈥淒iversion emphasizes maintaining the family unit by offering skills that strengthen the entire family and builds communication between family members.鈥�
Many different skills can be worked on through the diversion program, such as effective parenting strategies, helpful problem solving and coping skills and establishing or maintaining positive family relationships.
鈥淕oals are a huge part of the diversion program,鈥� said Rideout. 鈥淥ur family support program co-ordinator and the client discuss the challenges the family is facing, and come up with goals together to increase parenting skills, and ultimately overcome those challenges. These goals allow the family to work toward something and creates a tangible outcome at the end of the family鈥檚 time in the program.鈥�
Each family within the Diversion Program is linked up with a family support worker they meet with regularly in accordance with the family鈥檚 schedule. The role of the family support worker is to help the family build on their strengths, teach parenting skills, and reduce stress in the family home.
If anyone would like to build skills and self-confidence through the program, please call the Envision office nearest you and ask about the diversion program
