October 8, 2008

MORE MANITOBANS TO BENEFIT FROM SUCCESSFUL POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM: IRVIN-ROSS


A provincewide public education program and hundreds of newly trained practitioners will mean more Manitoba families can benefit from a world-renowned initiative designed to help parents deal with childhood development and behavioural issues, Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.

“We know that many Manitoba families have already benefited from the services offered under the Positive Parenting Program,” Irvin-Ross said. “Today, during National Family Week, we’re committing to ensure even more families can tap into resources proven to help with some of the challenges parents face in raising their children.”

Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) connects families with practitioners in their local community who can provide a range of supports and advice on parenting; whether on a specific behavioural issue or on broader challenges parents may be facing.

Since the program’s launch in 2005, the province has trained more than 660 practitioners from approximately 150 organizations who have successfully completed accreditation.

A public-education rollout announced today will ensure more families can take advantage of resources offered under Triple P. The campaign is centered on ensuring parents are aware of the seminars, information sheets, consultation and other resources available to Manitoba families in communities across the province.

Triple P is designed to provide varying levels of support to parents who have different needs. Triple P is based on a flexible system of five levels, from the universal support level (general information for all parents) to mid-range levels (tip sheets, parenting advice and workshops) to a more intensive level for parents experiencing significant challenges with their children.

The program focuses on helping parents make a big difference by making small changes in how they connect with their children, the minister said.

Healthy Child Manitoba has partnered with community agencies, regional health authorities,child-care centres, family resource centres, school divisions and others to provide staff with training to offer Triple P services to parents and families.

“Parenting is rewarding but it can also be challenging. All parents and children can benefit from some extra advice,” said Health Minister Theresa Oswald. “The Triple P model allows our existing agencies to provide even greater tools for parents.”

“Research tells us that positive parenting builds a strong foundation for children,” said Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh. “Triple P practitioners work with parents to strengthen their skills and confidence to better meet the needs of their children, while providing tips that parents can use to reduce parenting stress.”

Triple P was developed by Dr. Matthew Sanders and colleagues from the Parent and Family Support Centre at the University of Queensland in Australia in the 1980s. The goals of the program are to strengthen relationships between parents and their children and to prevent behavioural, emotional and developmental problems in children by building the knowledge, skills and confidence of parents. Currently, the program is offered in a number of countries around the world including Australia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Hong Kong, the United States and Switzerland.

First announced in March 2000, Manitoba’s Healthy Child Committee of Cabinet is presently chaired by Irvin-Ross and represents departments such as Aboriginal and northern affairs; culture, heritage, tourism and sport; education, citizenship and youth; family services and housing; health and healthy living; justice; and labour and immigration and the minister responsible for the status of women.

Healthy Child Manitoba uses an evidence-based approach to develop child-centred public policy. It works with multiple partners to create integrated programs and supports for Manitoba families.

For more information on Triple P, parents can call 204-945-4777 in Winnipeg or toll-free
1-877-945-4777, or visit the Triple P website at www.gov.mb.ca/triplep/.

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Backgrounder:
The Positive Parenting Program (Triple P)

• The Positive Parenting Program is a widely recognized effective, practical approach to raising children. Triple P is based on strong nurturing relationships, good communication and positive attention to help children develop. It involves creating a family environment that is loving, supportive and predictable.
• The Triple P training model assumes the differing needs of parents will require differing levels of support. Triple P is based on a flexible system of five levels of increasing intensity.
• Level 1 provides universal parenting messages through a public education campaign. Levels 2, 3, and 4 are provided through professionals already in contact with families, such as public-health nurses, day-care staff, general practitioners and home visitors. The resources can include telephone meetings with practitioners, attending one-on-one meetings with a practitioner, group sessions or attending a brief community program. Level 5 provides one-on-one consultations with clinical professionals for families facing significant behavioral issues with their children.
• To find a practitioner in their area, parents can visit the Triple P website at: www.gov.mb.ca/triplep.