Parent Enrichment Program (PEP)
Impact
Intensive Case Management (ICM)
Kids on the Move (KOM)
Parent Trust
Darrington Family Support and Resource Center
Teen Parent Advocacy
How it works
Deaconess’ Parent Trust program is organized around weekly, parent-led support groups in which participants share parenting concerns and build supportive connections while maintaining anonymity.
Parents, teens and children meet in separate, developmentally appropriate groups founded on the principles of mutual help and shared leadership. A trained facilitator works with a parent leader to help the group determine structure and content.
Through their own, grassroots support network, participants work together to build family strengths, share positive ways to manage stress, and learn to take better care of their children.
What it does
Facilitators help participants work toward achieving the following outcomes:
-decreased social isolation
-increased positive parenting and family management skills
-strengthened parent-child bond
-use of effective communication and conflict-resolution skills
-establish connections to key community resources
-development of leadership skills among parents, youth and children
The Latino network
Deaconess conducts two weekly Spanish-speaking support groups for Latino families: one in Monroe and another in north Everett. These groups are tailored to meet the specific needs of Latino families, expanding program content to include information about immigration rules, learning English as a second language, and other topics identified by participants.
Who’s eligible?
Participation in a Parent Trust group is offered free of charge to any parent or guardian, and their children, who could use support in coping with stressful family situations.
Children and youth participation
The children’s program, open to any child over 5 weeks old, offers concurrent, structured activities in a safe, supportive environment geared toward developing communication and problem-solving skills. The Children’s and Teen programs also help participants build relationships with positive adult role models and provide opportunities to develop a sense of acceptance and belonging. A group for teens may operate on its own or with a parent group.
Collaborating agencies
Deaconess works in partnership with Parent Trust for Washington Children, Familias Unidas and Sea Mar Community Health Centers.
Primary funding for Parent Trust is provided by the Washington state Division of Family Services, the United Way of Snohomish County, and Snohomish County Human Services.
Family Help Line – A 24-hour, statewide, toll-free phone line is available for families under stress. Help Line staff members are trained to listen, support and refer resource material to these families at risk for child abuse and neglect. Call: 1-800-932-HOPE (4673) (Seattle: 233-0139).
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Brian’s story: One father learns from another
When newlyweds Sheryl and Brian joined their Parent Trust support group, they were at the end of their rope. “We just don’t know what to do anymore,” said Sheryl. “We’re being torn apart!”
Brian had become an instant stepfather to Sheryl’s two sons, ages 7 and 10, who tested his patience at every turn. Both husband and wife grew frightened that it was only a matter of time before “something terrible” happened.
Raised in a very abusive home, Brian expressed his desire to avoid the same treatment of his own stepsons. But not knowing any other alternative, he was tempted to “take them out back and use the belt” on them.
Dan, another father in the group, shook his head and said, “I know exactly how you feel. But I’m telling you, don’t do it. I started out that way with my sons, and things eventually escalated to point where assault charges were filed against me. Now I have a felony record. … Don’t do it. Find another way.”
Over the next several months, Brian learned how to discipline his stepsons in a positive way. But it was what he learned from another father in the group that turned out to be the most important first step toward changing his behavior – to create a “cooling off” period for himself.
He learned to call other parents in the group, walk outside, lock himself in the bathroom, take a drive – anything but move toward the children when he was angry.
Reflecting on his progress, Brian said in group one day, “I wish my father had come to this group and learned just this one thing – when you’re too angry, walk away. I wish he would’ve had friends like I have in this group. My life would have been so different.”
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