As a result of a recent expansion, Children's Trust of South Carolina is now partnering with 20 nonprofits to deliver the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) across the state. The recent addition of five partners increases the number of counties served to 23 counties and adds to the robust network of SFP providers across South Carolina.
Strengthening Families Program is a nationally- and internationally-recognized evidence-based program that works closely with families to teach effective parenting techniques that reduce problem behaviors and conflict through positive discipline. The program also has demonstrated that child maltreatment decreases as parents strengthen bonds with their children through effective communication and interaction.
“Through their participation, the organizations and their parents make a tremendous commitment to do the work and learn the tools that can strengthen families while helping protect and nurture children,” Children's Trust CEO Sue Williams said. “We look for their important work to have measurable impact in their communities to decrease child abuse and neglect.”
Through a partnership with The Duke Endowment and the S.C. Department of Social Services, Children’s Trust is providing multi-year funding to the following agencies to deliver program sessions and work with families in their respective communities.
- EdVenture Children’s Museum - EdVenture will coordinate with community resources and school personnel at local schools to work with children and their parents to increase family strengths and resilience and reduce risk factors for problem behaviors in children, including emotional, academic and social problems, through problem solving and communication. This site will serve families in Richland County.
- Pee Dee Community Action Partnership - The Pee Dee Community Action Partnership has a 50-year history of serving low-income children, parents and families in the communities of Dillon, Florence, and Marion counties. Their services develop and improve low-income communities and neighborhoods through evidence-based programs and strategies that work. This site will serve families in Marion County.
- Red Bank Elementary - At Red Bank Elementary School, students find out what it takes to become a successful leader and a successful learner. The teachers and staff at Red Bank Elementary School are committed to the idea that learning is for everyone, and all will work together to help everyone reach their goals and find success. This site will serve families in Lexington County.
- YMCA of Columbia - YMCA of Columbia prides themselves on being an integral part of the community. They strive to share their human and physical resources with community members and other agencies and organizations who can benefit from collaborations with the Y. Community-building efforts take different forms at every branch and every year they work with many charitable organizations and school districts. This site will serve families in Lexington County.
- Lee County First Steps - Lee County First Steps is dedicated to helping children enter school healthy, prepared and ready to succeed. It develops community partnerships and collaborations, ensuring that research-based, promising-practice programs are being implemented. Lee County is now implementing the program in four counties: Darlington, Florence, Lee and Sumter. This site will expand to serve families in Sumter County.
Children's Trust chief program officer Lee Porter is excited about the potential impact of the expansion for families across South Carolina.
“SFP providers around the state are making a tangible difference in how family members interact together, cooperate and enjoy each other in the context of family life," Porter said. "The skills that parents and children learn are practical ones that they can immediately apply in home, school and community.”
