Programs
& Services > Counselling > Parenting
Connecting Families Program
What parents say about Connecting Families:
"I feel calmer and don't get as angry as I used to do"
"I should have taken this course sooner"
"I feel more confident"
"My children get along better at school"
"Getting together with other parents was very helpful"
What is Connecting Families?
FST's Counselling Service offers a unique parenting program to families living in various communities across the city. Based on the COPE model, which works with both parents and children, Connecting Families is aimed at helping parents encourage positive behaviour in their children and improving parent-child relations.
The COPE course, based on research into how families develop and nurture healthy relationships, was developed at McMaster University and successfully used in a wide variety of schools and other settings in Canada and the USA.
The program is unique in that two groups are run at the same time, one for parents and one for their children aged 4-10. This promotes a sense of family working together to enrich their relationships. Both groups work on and reinforce skills building such as increasing positive behaviour, cooperation and mutual understanding, avoiding conflicts, healthy communication, problem solving and stress management.
If you would like to collaborate with us or have us come to your school, agency or community centre, please contact us at 416-595-0307
ext. 230.
Parents, caregivers, teachers, schools, community agencies, are all welcome to call.
We Provide:
- Single session parent workshops
- 3-4 session workshops
- 5-10 week series
- Guest speaking
- Training in group work
Our Objectives
- For parents to share, learn, build trust and understanding with other parents.
- Build stronger community support and address issues identified by parents.
- Help parents understand their own parenting practice based on
self-identified goals and philosophy. - Introduce techniques, strategies, tips and ideas for discussion.
Contact us
416-595-0307 ext 230 or gillianfr@familyservicetoronto.org
Connecting Families Train-the-Trainer program
Issues you may be facing:
- How to communicate more effectively with your kids
- Preventing and limiting conflict with your children
- When you're seeing red - Guidelines to help you cope with your anger
- How to find more quality time with your kids
Other resources we recommend:
Articles and Books on parenting
The Family Conservancy website: http://www.thefamilyconservancy.org/
Connecting Families Newsletter
Testimonials
Success story at John D. Parker Junior School
For information on other FST services dealing with parenting issues see our Areas of Expertise: Parenting page.
