Best Start for Families
The Best Start for Families program strengthens parent/caregiver and child interactions.
LCFS believes every child and adolescent deserves to be supported in positive development by caregivers and professionals within loving, non-violent families and peaceful communities.
We train parents, children, and facilitators to implement empathy-based interactions into their daily lives. The Best Start for Families curriculum is used in parent/caregiver and child learning groups throughout the community. These groups ensure that children are supported in a positive and loving way.
Join Best Start for Families in a charity bike ride with Pollyanna Brewing Co.
Let’s talk about how to be our child’s number one support.
The “Best Start for Families – a Health Equity Approach” Parent Program allows you to learn from peers and professionals to better understand empathy-based interactions and their effect on children.
Why participate in this program?
Gather with other parents…to learn…to share experiences…to build relationships in your family…to give your children support to help them reach their own individual potential. Learn how social emotional skills strengthen family relationships. Share ideas on teaching empathy, setting positive boundaries, focusing attention, teaching your child self-control, and finding joy in family.
- Share your experiences with other parents undergoing similar challenges.
- Explore the “Best Start” curriculum and learn how to apply it in suitable ways with your children.
- Learn methods to have more positive, nurturing interactions with your child, especially in stressful situations.
- Parents receive certificate upon completion.
Program can be offered in English and Spanish.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
- State-Wide LCFS Foster Program Parenting Classes: First week of December until early March 2025. For LCFS foster families only. DCFS has approved up to 14 Credit Hours (1 Credit per 1-hour session you attend). More info to come.
- Central Illinois Foster Program Parenting Classes: First week of December until early March 2025. Springfield, Decatur and Quincy areas. This program is open to all foster parents (LCFS, DCFS, and other). DCFS has approved up to 14 Credit Hours (1 Credit per 1-hour session you attend). More info to come.
“Best Start for Families: All About YOUth” program supports youth to better understand themselves in order to build healthy relationships. The sessions are structured around activities and discussion questions to explore youth’s potential development. The program is for youth 12-24 years of age.
The program is designed to help you investigate and strengthen your relationships with friends, family members, and—if you are a parent—your children. The work and play represented look closely at ways we relate to one another as friends, family, and communities. The interactive approach allows for sharing with and supporting one another to experience success. It is a strengths-based program throughout where individuals celebrate each other and recognize positive attributes within others.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
- Facilitator Workshop: October 17 from 9 am-3 pm, and October 18 & 25 from 9 am-5 pm (Click Here for flyer and registration information)
- Foster Parent Group: 8/14/24 – 11/6/24 (Wednesdays, 5:00-6:15 pm) – Registration open for a few more families. (Click Here for flyer and registration information)
LCFS trains other service providers as Facilitators of the International Child/Parenting Development Program (ICDP-USA) of Parenting Learning Groups, which support families to strengthen their parent-child interaction.
“Best Start for Families” is an evidence-based program which strengthens psycho-social competencies of professionals working with parents and caregivers in their practice, as well as in their facilitation of Parent Learning Groups. The program curriculum covers strengthening Parent + Child skills from Empathy to Social/Emotional Learning to Cognitive Development to Self-Regulation/Discipline.
Facilitators help parents share experiences and enjoy learning from one another as they practice implementing the ICDP 8 Guidelines by modeling positive adult-child (and adult-adult) behaviors, communications, interactions, and relationships. As parents gain confidence and empowerment, they support their children’s positive development and success in family, school, and community. The trauma-informed, community- based program is adapted and effective for all Parents/Caregivers and Families!
Learning Objectives:
- To strengthen competencies to create more positive family and school climates.
- To strengthen psycho-social and educational caring skills.
- To facilitate empathy-based social-emotional, cognitive and regulative/positive discipline interactions between parents and children.
- To help create better parent/child communications and relationships.
Caregiver Outcomes:
- Increased self-insight, understanding and awareness on the part of the caregivers for the positive qualities of care that should and could exist between them and the child.
- A stronger sense of self-confidence in their roles as caregivers.
- Empathy-based communication with their children as they better understand their children’s point of view, feelings and intentions.
- Improved skills in observing and understanding their children’s reactions.
- Reduced Psychological Aggression.
- Reduced Physical Abuse.
Children Outcomes:
- Children’s feelings towards caregivers become more positive than before.
- Children become emotionally more secure, open and confident.
- Children become more imaginative and creative and they start seeking explanations as well as asking questions, more than before.
- Children manage to control their behavior better, feel respect for others and are better able to cooperate with others.
- Children learn how to plan and reflect more before acting.
- Children begin to develop a wider vocabulary.
Continuing Education / Professional Development Hours Available:
- NASW (Social Work Credentials)
- CPDUs (Continuing Professional Developments Units)
- Gateway to Opportunities (Early Childhood)
- Early Intervention
Workshop Includes:
Facilitator manual, Caregiver Handbook, Children’s Booklet, and Evaluation/Resource Toolkit plus Daily Lunches/ Refreshments
For further information or to apply for group fees contact: kimberly_svevo@lcfs.org
To request scholarships, contact: gina_loyola@lcfs.org
We also train service providers in facilitating the “Best Start for Families: All About YOUth” program (AAY) for youth 12-24 years. Must already be trained in “The Best Start for Families – a Health Equity Approach” Parent Program.
Programs can be offered in English and Spanish.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
- Facilitator Workshop: October 17 from 9 am-3 pm, and October 18 & 25 from 9 am-5 pm (Click Here for flyer and registration information)
- Foster Parent Group: 8/14/24 – 11/6/24 (Wednesdays, 5:00-6:15 pm) – Registration open for a few more families. (Click Here for flyer and registration information)
The “Best Start for Families – A Health Equity Approach” curriculum is based on the International Child Development Program (ICDP), an internationally tested and supported psycho-social approach to strengthening adult caregiver/parent-child relationships. It is recognized as an Effective Practice by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
Best Start for Families starts with the training of professional resource persons within institutions and communities who serve families. Its comprehensive parent learning group curriculum equips parents with a deep understanding of what they and their children need to thrive, as well as effective parenting techniques, communication strategies, and problem-solving skills, which strengthen and bring joy to family relationships.
The program offers a range of services for caregivers, youth and children, including individual coaching, weekly group sessions, and workshops. By providing parents with the tools they need to foster healthy relationships and create supportive home environments, LCFS strives to strengthen families and promote positive long-term outcomes for children.
LCFS seeks to equip communities with the resources they need to create a ripple effect of positive change in the lives of families.
Click here to contact us about scheduling a workshop in your community or other ways we can partner to support children and families.
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