Strengthening Families seen as benefit

Nov. 16--WALLENPAUPACK -- Calling the program a "possible solution maker," Strengthening Families has been a wonderful success, explained Keith Gunsukey, Assistant Superintendent, Wallenpaupack Area School District. Parents and their 6th grade children, along with district facilitators, gathered to reaffirm this assessment to the School Board, November 13.

They were marking the close of the third seven-week session aimed at "making stronger families stronger," Gunuskey said.

The first two sessions were held in the fall and spring semesters of the prior school year. Families were invited to attend one night a week for seven weeks. This included dinner provided by the High School Culinary Program from 5:15 to 6 p.m.; separate meetings for parents and youth from 6 to 7 p.m. and then a family session from 7 to 8 p.m., where they all come together. Child care was also provided by the High School Child Care program. All of this is completely free for the families.

Six families went through the program this fall. Last year, between the fall and spring, 13 families took part.

Almost a manual

"I'm sure that as many of you being parents have come through, and thought to yourself, 'Boy, if only there was a manual to help us with our children, that would be great.' As Middle School principal, I have always heard that, parents would say, 'Mr. Gunuskey, there has to be a manual.' Well, there isn't a manual but this is about the closest thing I have ever seen to some outstanding guidance to help children and their families come together and work collaboratively together as one group."

Sponsored by Penn State Cooperative Extension, the Pike County commissioners brought it to the Wallenpaupack District's attention. Only 15 school districts have been using it, statewide. Strengthening Families program is held in all 50 states, and 25 other nations.

Frank Williams, Middle School Disciplinarian and one of the program's 12 facilitators at Wallenpaupack, said that it is tough at first to get parents to commit to the seven week program. Everyone is so busy. Yet, once they are through the program, they realize the benefits and parents have expressed how they wish it could keep going. In a word, Strengthening Families is "fun," Williams said, enjoyable for everyone involved.

Based on data

He noted that Strengthening Families is fully based on research data, from studies that were first conducted in the 1980's. Follow-up surveys were done at intervals, spanning as late as six years, to gage the effectiveness of the program for both parents and their youth.

The studies show that youth who have been through the program, are:

? Significantly less likely to have used alcohol, cigarettes or marijuana;

? Significantly less likely to have aggressive and destructive behavior;

? Demonstrating an increased resistance to peer pressure.

Parents also report gains in their parenting skills.

Chris Caruso, Middle School Principal, was a parent facilitator. Among their topics was setting limits, showing love and supporting goals and dreams. They also covered setting house rules.

Brett Buselli, Assistant Principal, was a youth facilitator. Students were encouraged to identify future goals, and made treasure maps to show the small steps necessary to reach those goals. A role reversal was played, to demonstrate how the parents are feeling.

Two Middle School Counselors who served as facilitators, Cara Dougherty and Lauren Tenbus also shared. Posters showing family trees, highlighting the positive qualities from grandparents, parents and children. Family shields were designed, as another poster.

Discussion was held with parents about how to protect their children from drugs and alcohol.

Other aspects of the discussions with parents included a positive parent-child interaction, supportive family involvement, age-appropriate expectations and monitoring and a shared understanding of family values.

Youth sessions also went over skills to resist peer pressure, pro-social peer relationships, positive management of emotions and having empathy towards parents.

Community

"This is truly the illustration of community," said Dr. R. Jay Starnes, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment. "When we talk about the fact that we have families working together with school." When they first observed the program before deciding to start it at Wallenpaupack, he said they were very impressed. "We are very fortunate to live in a supportive community. That doesn't mean we don't have problems like the opioid epidemic. We're not unique, that is everywhere. What does make us unique, I believe, is our ability to work together with law enforcement, our civic organizations, our families, our schools to be able to participate in this kind of activity."

He stressed that this was not all about "families who struggle" or about "drugs and alcohol."

"It's about communicating. It's about showing love with appropriate limits. It's about following through with consequences," Starnes said. "... It's a program for everyone."

Student shares

An 8th grader, Alec Crouthamel, eloquently spoke about what the program has meant for he and his family. "...We talked about how we kids can contribute and help out at our own house. We talked about how to appreciate our parents, and how much they do for us. We talked about rules, and what they expect of us. And my parents explained the consequences if we make poor choices. Another night, we talked about peer pressure and how to handle other tough situations that kids my age face.

(Alec was allowed to participate last year when he was in 7th grade, because his sister Alana was in 6th grade and took part.)

"...We talked about communication, and how to listen and to have a family meeting... we talked about drugs and alcohol.

"...My favorite part was the activities. One activity was the family tree. We listed all our family up in the branches, and the leaves show qualities, like hard working, smart and caring. My grandparents are the roots..."

The family tree and family crest posters hang in their living room today, he said.

"As you can see, the Strengthening Families program was fun for us all," Crouthamel said. "And we all worked together, and learned a lot. I was a little sad when it was over. It think the program taught me how to deal with stress and peer pressure. And I think that my classmates should take this class with their families. Thank you very much."

Hope to expand

One mother in the audience told the School Board that the program was so valuable for her and her 12 year old son. She wished, however, that the program could be extended to high school, noting that her 15-year old daughter has significantly different pressures and issues at that age, than in middle school.

Starnes said that they hope to replicate the "model" in the high school level, if not the program itself. Gunuskey said they are looking at expanding the program to the South School as well, in the spring where they also have facilitators trained. Ideally, when they get enough enrollment, they hope to hold two sessions in the fall and two in the spring, one in the North Campus and one in the South Campus.

Board member John Kiesendahl remarked that this is an "outstanding program" and said he'd like to go through it with his "13 grandchildren."

They were completing the program the next night with Thanksgiving dinner at the school. Gunuskey said that they will always end the session with Thanksgiving, whether it is in the fall or spring.

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