PROSPER, Promoting School-Community-University Partnerships to Enhance Resilience)

Over the past three days, I've trained as a facilitator for The Strengthening Families Program for parents and youth between the ages of 10 and 14 years old.  PROSPER (PROmoting School-community-university Partnerships to Enhance Resilience) provides evidence-based programs for youths ages 10 to 14 and their families.

Many school districts in Pennsylvania have PROSPER programs. As a matter of fact, for six years, 14 rural school districts in Pennsylvania and Iowa have used these programs to coordinate a community-wide effort to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and drug use among youth.

I knew going into this training that these programs were somewhat relevant to our mission as a comprehensive crime victim center, but I wasn’t certain just how significant they would be until I completed the course.  For three days we concentrated on bringing families together through a series of sessions for a seven-week period.  These sessions are filled with problem-solving activities, videos, and creative family bonding time.  As two facilitators work with the youth in a group, a third facilitates the parent group.  After a one-hour session, the two groups come together for a joint group to see what they have learned about their families and how to have deeper interactions with each other.  I know this will provide some much-needed guidance and offer additional community resources for families looking for support and services.

I am able to see just how this program will help the families in our community become stronger as they use the tools they are given to manage any concerns or situations that arise within their families.  If you are interested in more information about bringing PROSPER into your local school, please contact Heather Shnyder or Eckie Friar at 570-523-1134.

Written by Heather Shnyder, Education Specialist