The Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 is a nationally recognized curriculum that provides parent, youth and family education. The model is designed to be delivered in local communities for groups of 7-12 families. Educational programs that bring parents and their children together in learning environments strengthen entire families. Healthy parent-child communication reduces the risks of both substance abuse and teen pregnancy among teenagers, factors that are related to youth violence and cycles of poverty.
WSU Extension is offering Strengthening Families Program as a model learning program for families. WSU Extension has made the Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 a centerpiece of its vision for improving the lives of families and young people in Washington. Strengthening Families is featured as an initiative in Extension’s current strategic plan and reflects the commitment to prevention education shared by Extension and WSU’s Department of Human Development. The tie to a University department links our educational work in communities to a strong research base and allows us to document our work with families participating in the Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 on an ongoing basis.
Extension’s faculty and staff include both youth development and family development practitioners who can assure the program is delivered with fidelity. WSU Extension’s role is multi-faceted. We are involved in training, implementation, evaluation, and providing and refining materials.
To learn more about the Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 in Washington State, please see History. Strengthening Families Program Brochures are available in PDF format, in English v.1 (pdf), English v.2 (pdf), or Spanish (pdf).
Nationally recognized by:
- Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development (Promising Program)
- Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (Promising Model Program)