Children’s Trust announces changes to its Strengthening Families Program (SFP). Previously serving families with children ages 6-11, the program will now be expanded to include youth up to 17 years old. This transition reflects Children’s Trust’s ongoing commitment to supporting families with a broader range of parenting and youth development resources.
Children’s Trust partners with 17 local community-based organizations serving 28 counties to deliver this prevention program. A unique public-private partnership with The Duke Endowment and the S.C. Department of Social Services supports this program. The S.C. Department of Public Health also provides funding.
The Strengthening Families Program is an evidence-based family skills training program that has been shown to improve parenting practices, strengthen family relationships, and reduce risky behaviors in youth.
By extending the program to include adolescents up to age 17, Children’s Trust aims to support families navigating the challenges of raising preteens and teenagers. There is no charge for families to participate.
“We recognize that families face unique challenges as their children grow, and we are excited to expand our services to support older youth,” said Children’s Trust CEO Sue Williams. “By broadening our program’s reach, we can offer more comprehensive resources to help families build strong, positive relationships and foster resilience.”
The updated SFP 7-17 curriculum includes a meal and interactive sessions for parents, youth, and the family. Topics covered will include effective communication, managing stress, setting goals, rewarding positive behavior, resolving conflict and problem-solving. Families engage in hands-on activities that promote connection, trust and problem-solving skills.
Children’s Trust invites families to enroll in the newly expanded Strengthening Families Program. To learn more, refer a family or find a partner in your community, please visit scChildren.org/SFP.
