Other California counties also are joining the movement. Inspired by Santa Cruz County, the Boards of Supervisors in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and other counties that offer parenting programs such as Triple P have proclaimed January as Positive Parenting Awareness Month. Many other agencies in California that offer Triple P are joining the celebration by highlighting the importance of positive parenting during the month of January. 

“The groundswell of support statewide for positive parenting and evidence-based programs such as Triple P illustrates the effectiveness in strengthening communication and relationships among families, and the leadership role that Santa Cruz County has taken by teaching practical, scientifically-proven parenting strategies,” said David Brody, Executive Director of First 5 Santa Cruz County. “The Triple P program has helped thousands of parents in Santa Cruz County improve their parenting practices, reduce their stress and anxiety and, most importantly, build positive healthy relationships with their kids.”

Bradley Thomas, CEO of Triple P America, said, “The grassroots effort initiated by Santa Cruz County to spread the power of positive parenting throughout California and beyond speaks to the vision of its community leaders and child advocates. This movement invigorates our commitment to children, families and communities; as it spreads the message that positive parenting, child well-being and community resilience go hand in hand, we look with hope that the new year brings families closer together, so that all children can reach their potential and in doing so we can build strong and resilient communities.”

Triple P has been available to families throughout the county since 2010, thanks to a partnership between First 5 Santa Cruz County, the county’s Human Services Department, and the county’s Health Services Agency. As the lead agency, First 5 partners with other nonprofits, collaboratives, public agencies, schools and private providers to offer Triple P services to approximately 2,000 children and parents in Santa Cruz County each year. The positive outcomes for parents who participate are significant:

• The majority of parents receiving in-depth support report improvements in their children’s behaviors, their parenting styles, and their levels of stress.
• Improvements are even greater among parents who report more significant parenting challenges at the start of the Triple P program. By the end of the program, 92% of parents report improvements in their children’s behaviors, 82% report improvements in their parenting styles and 90% report a decrease in their stress.
• 95% of participants have reported they continue using Triple P parenting strategies after completing the program.

During Positive Parenting Awareness Month in January 2019, Triple P partners will offer parenting classes and events including:

EVENTS

Family Literacy Fun Day

January 19, 12 to 2 p.m.

Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main Street, #100, Watsonville

In honor of Positive Parenting Awareness Month, Triple P Santa Cruz and the Watsonville Public Library are co-hosting this free Family Literacy Fun Day. Stop by for arts and crafts, story time with the librarians, fun activities and information about the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program and other local services for children and families. Every family gets a free book provided by First 5 Santa Cruz County and a chance to win prizes!

Triple P South County Open House

Hosted by La Manzana Community Resources, a program of Community Bridges

January 24, 3-5 p.m. 

521 Main St., Watsonville (in outdoor courtyard)

Stop by for food, games and a chance to win prizes! Meet La Manzana’s Triple P practitioners, sign up for a Triple P class or one-on-one services, and learn about other organizations that support children and families. 

CLASSES IN ENGLISH

Triple P Seminar: The Power of Positive Parenting (for CalWORKs participants)

January 8, 1-3 pm

Get practical tips to help you provide positive learning environments for children use assertive discipline, have realistic expectations and take care of yourself. This Triple P Seminar is free and open to CalWORKs participants only. CalWORKs participants should contact their Employment and Training Specialists to let them know if they plan on attending.

Presented in English by: Stella Lauerman, Triple P practitioner 

Location: Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Room 913

Triple P Workshop: Balancing Work & Family (for CalWORKs participants)

January 9, 1-3 pm

Attend this workshop to learn and discuss: common challenges parents experience juggling work and family responsibilities; tools to help prevent stress at work from affecting your home life; and how to create a positive transition from work life to home life. This Triple P Workshop is free and open to CalWORKs participants only. CalWORKs participants should contact their Employment and Training Specialists to let them know if they plan on attending.

Presented in English by: Gelacio Gonzalez, Triple P practitioner 

Location: Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Room 913

Triple P Seminar: Raising Confident, Competent Children (for CalWORKs participants)

January 10, 1-3 pm

Get practical tips for helping children learn how to treat others with respect, develop good communication and social skills, and develop healthy self-esteem. This Triple P Seminar is free and open to CalWORKs participants only. CalWORKs participants should contact their Employment and Training Specialists to let them know if they plan on attending.

Presented in English by: Dr. Lourdes Barraza, Triple P practitioner 

Location: Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Room 913 

Triple P Workshop: Supporting Your Partner (for CalWORKs participants)

January 11, 1-3 pm

Attend this workshop to learn and discuss: parenting issues that often cause disagreements between partners; how to take care of your relationship with your partner and create a positive family life; and tools to help partners support each other and work as a team. This Triple P Workshop is free and open to CalWORKs participants only. CalWORKs participants should contact their Employment and Training Specialists to let them know if they plan on attending.

Presented in English by: Dr. Lourdes Barraza, Triple P practitioner 

Location: Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Room 913

Triple P 8-Week Group: For families with children 2-12 years old

Thursdays, January 10 – February 10, 6-8 pm

Attend this 8-week Triple P Group to meet other families and learn simple strategies to help you: Strengthen relationships in your family; Encourage positive behaviors; Teach your child new skills & behaviors; Handle disruptive or challenging behaviors with greater confidence; Take care of yourself as a parent.

This Triple P Group is free and open to the public. Free childcare is available with advance registration. Light snacks will be provided for adults and children.

Presented in English by: Cori Burt, Community Bridges – Mountain Community Resources

Location: San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School Library, 7155 Highway 9, Felton 

To register: Contact Cori Burt at (831) 335-6600 x6605 or [email protected] or register online at http://first5scc.org/calendar/parent-trainings

Stepping Stones Triple P Workshop: Teaching Social Skills

January 22, 3-4:30 pm

Stepping Stones Triple P offers parenting support for families with children with special needs, such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome and other developmental delays. Attend this free Stepping Stones Triple P workshop to learn tools for teaching social skills such as playing and sharing, having friends over, and handling repetitive behavior.

This Stepping Stones Triple P workshop is offered as part of the North Santa Cruz County SELPA Community Advisory Committee’s monthly meeting. No registration required. Light snacks provided. Please note: childcare will not be available at this event.

Presented in English by: Gelacio Gonzalez, Triple P Practitioner

Location: Soquel Union School District, Board Room, 620 Monterey Ave, Capitola

For questions, contact the North Santa Cruz County SELPA Office at (831) 466-5700 or visit www.nsccselpa.org 

CLASSES IN SPANISH

Triple P Seminar: Raising Confident, Competent Children (for families of Live Oak School District elementary schools only)

January 23, 9-11 am

Get tips for helping children: learn how to treat others with respect, develop good communication and social skills, and develop healthy self-esteem. This free Triple P Seminar is open to all Live Oak School District elementary school families as part of the Live Oak Cradle to Career Initiative.

Presented in Spanish by: Stella Lauerman, Triple P practitioner 

Location: Live Oak Elementary School, 1916 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz

To register: contact Sergio Martinez, Live Oak Elementary School Family Engagement Coordinator at (831) 475-2000 ext. 2215or [email protected]. 

Triple P Workshop: Building Children’s Communication and Problem-Solving Skills (for families of Live Oak Elementary School only)

January 23, 9 – 11 am

Get practical tips for teaching children how to communicate their feelings and needs and solve problems. This free Triple P Workshop is open to all Live Oak School District elementary school families as part of the Live Oak Cradle to Career Initiative.

Presented in Spanish by: Stella Lauerman, Triple P practitioner 

Location: Live Oak Elementary School, 1916 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz

To register: contact Sergio Martinez, Live Oak Elementary School Family Engagement Coordinator at (831) 475-2000 ext. 2215or [email protected].

ABOUT TRIPLE P

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is a world-renowned program available to families in Santa Cruz County who have children ages birth to 16, including children with special needs. Backed by more than 30 years of international, scientific research, Triple P offers families proven strategies for strengthening relationships with their children and for preventing or managing a full range of parenting challenges. The program is available to all families in Santa Cruz County through a partnership between First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. For more, visit http://triplep.first5scc.org or facebook.com/triplepscc.

ABOUT FIRST 5 SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

First 5 Santa Cruz County invests in health, early learning and family support to promote the well-being of children. A growing body of scientific evidence points to the economic and societal impacts of investing in the early years. First 5 Santa Cruz County is dedicated to giving children the opportunities they need to reach their full potential. First 5 Santa Cruz County was established by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in December 1998 by urgency ordinance to ensure that family-friendly services and education are available, so that each child reaches the fifth year of life healthy, ready and able to learn, and emotionally well developed. We are committed to involving community members, as well as professionals working with young children and their families. For more information, visit www.first5scc.org.