Sometimes, the best solution is the simplest one.
Our United Way and its community partners discovered that when trying to decide upon a prevention program which would address issues identified in 8,600 youth surveys, sometimes, the best solution is the simplest one. After analyzing the dimensions of the problems evidenced in what 10-14 year olds from fifteen Lorain County school systems were telling us, and after reviewing a host of strategies to address these, we concluded that the most effective program available was…you guessed it…family based.
The program selected, Strengthening Families, was not only family based, its components were elementary. So much so, they reminded me of parenting 101. Based on survey results, 101 basics matched what the county's youth were reporting. They were saying, that in pre teen and teen years, youth were facing risks and factors that screamed for parental involvement: succinctly, prevention activity that cut to the chase and went right to the heart of issues, even more, right to the hearts of children.
Youth didn't say it in those exact words. They said it in the behaviors being reported. And while there were variations in the feedback from the fifteen different school districts which participated, one constant remained: that given the risky behaviors being reported--anti social or delinquent behavior, rebelliousness, succumbing to peer pressure, gang involvement, drug experimentation, alcohol use, violence--it was evident from the research that the most effective path to preventing these unhealthy behaviors-and turning them into healthy ones-started with healthy beliefs and clear standards within families.
That truth has been provided in parental feedback. We are hearing from adults participating in the Strengthening Families program that they never realized just how impactful and how significant and how beneficial their involvement could be by just employing the "simple stuff".
Simple, as in family-like and uncomplicated. For example, one program component calls for parents and children to have one hour long, face to face time to interact privately, unobstructed by distractions of TV, cell phones, or other family business. This is followed by a second hour in which parents and children practice skills such as communicating clearly, sharing ideas and listening. Simple-but not easy-as many discover when left with the unsettling realization that they don't know how to communicate effectively with their child or, if a child, appreciate what their parents are saying. Unsettling, too, in the realization that two hours feels like an eternity, and that family and fun have become unrelated terms.
Parents and children alike express the same reactions after participating in both the parent session component where role play is used as a learning tool and after the family session component where learning to problem solve "together" is the agenda. Heard are comments about how family members are bonding and regrets for not beginning such "simple" activities sooner.
United Way and the county's Alcohol and Drug Addiction and Mental Health boards which are partners in funding the Strengthening Families program administered by Catholic Social Services of Lorain believe that healthy behaviors begin and are nurtured best within the family. Also, that the program should be available at no cost to all families.
It's that simple.
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A young man named Steven walked into the United Way offices and stated that he wanted to make a donation to United Way. He then took out his starter checks he received from the bank where he just opened his first checking account, and proceeded to write out his first check to United Way. Steven wanted his first disbursed check to monetarily support his community. What a thoughtful young man! Thanks Steven!
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