Evaluation of the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities Programme 2004/5

This report presents the findings of the evaluation of the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities parenting courses held between January 2004 and March 2005.  This programme is based on a culturally sensitive curriculum originally developed in the USA in the early 1990s. 

The programme is designed for parents / carers with children aged three to eighteen years. It consists of an introductory session followed by 12 three hour sessions held on consecutive weeks. Information is presented within a cultural framework covering five areas: cultural / spiritual, rites of passage, positive discipline, enhancing relationships / violence prevention and community involvement. The course is designed to enhance parent competence, parent /child interactions, child competence, parent relationships and community involvement. The course is based on developing the participants’ strengths using a facilitative approach.

The evaluation was based on information from the Course Summary Reports (CSRs) completed on each course by the course facilitator(s) and three forms completed on or by the individual participants, as part of the programme’s built in evaluation process.