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Comprehensive Juvenile Services, Inc.
1606 South "J" Street       Fort Smith, Arkansas  72901     Phone 479-785-4031     Fax 479-785-5354

Janice K Justice  -  Executive Director
Strengthening Families Program (SFP)
The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) involves youth ages 12-17 and their entire families in 14 family training sessions using communication techniques and behavioral approaches to increase resilience and reduce risk factors.

Importance is placed on new skills offering more options rather than criticizing old skills or past behavior.  This program can offer a "breath of fresh air" in the home.
HOW IT WORKS 

Each session begins with a free family meal.  All family members enjoy a meal together while rediscovering the lost art of communicating with each other around the kitchen table in today's hurried world.  

Parents then meet separately from the youth, along with two group leaders, for an hour to learn to increase desired behaviors in children by increasing attention and rewarding positive behaviors. They also learn about clear communication, effective discipline, substance-use prevention, problem-solving and limit-setting.

Youth meet separately from the parents with two facilitators also for an hour to learn how to understand feelings, control their anger, resist peer pressure, comply with parental rules, solve problems and communicate effectively. Youth also develop their social skills and learn about the consequences of substance use. Free child care is provided for the younger children.

During the second hour of the session, families engage together in structured family activities, conduct family meetings, learn communication skills and plan family activities.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Age Range: 12-17 (Free child care provided for the younger children)
Grades: 6-12 
Gender: Male and Female
Length of Each Lesson: Two hours, plus 30 minutes for free family meal.
Frequency of Lesson: Weekly for 14 weeks
Program: 14 sessions
For more information, contact:
Belinda Scott 
1606 South “J” Street
Fort Smith, AR 72901
479-785-4031
bscott@cjsinc.org

If your family, or a family you know, has a need for improved communication and positive influences in the lives of the children and the adults, please contact 479-785-4031 to inquire about this wonderfully effective program for all families.  There is no cost for the participating families.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED