According the Community Assessment conducted in 2019, Allen County community members identified these three areas of need in their community: 

• More support for families with mental and emotional health issues
• Stronger parenting and relationship building skills
• Availability of substance use prevention programs

In response to these community concerns, Allen County Cooperative Extension Agents, Anna Meador and Kelly Burgess, partnered with community organizations in order to present the Strengthening Families Program 10-14 (SFP 10-14).  Spring 2022 marked the first inaugural kick-off program for the SFP 10-14 program, with many more years expected programs to come after a successful launch.  During these six 2-hour sessions, 12 caregivers and 14 youth participants were impacted with lessons focused on healthy habits, impactful parenting and strengthened family bonds.  

Each session emphasized stronger families through interactive classes for: youth only, adult only and then a united family class.   Youth lessons focused on resisting peer pressure to prevent future risky behaviors, while adult caregivers focused on effective parenting for reduced conflict and stronger family ties.   Finally, families were engaged in bonding activities focused on working together as a family to better relate and communicate with one another.  

At the conclusion of the program, families were evaluated to determine impact from their involvement in the program.  As a result:

• 100% of caregivers identified the importance of communicating rules and expectations to their youth can help reduce risky behavior in their youth’s future.  
• 100% of caregivers indicated a desire to increase family time spent with child to help build stronger family bonds.  
• 100% of youth identified that there are consequences for not following rules.  
• 100% of youth indicated that they know their parents expectations related to drug and alcohol usage. 

When asked to reflect at the conclusion of the program, one parents responded saying “it was great learning different ways to communicate and work through issues as a family.”  Youth were asked to identify one skill/lesson they took from the program.   One child reflected saying “there are always consequences for not following the rules which are meant to keep me safe.”

As a result of the program, five families graduated from the program with over sixteen tools for success to build a stronger family and prevent risky behavior in their youth’s future.

Five graduating families pose with their Family Game Night prize for having graduated from the Spring 2022 SFP 10-14 Program.