On Tuesday 26th September 2017, the first independent evaluation report of Strengthening Families Programme (SFP) for Kildare was launched at the ETBI building in Naas, Co. Kildare.
The report was commissioned by CYPSC and the local SFP steering committee in Kildare. SFP has been 
running in Kildare since 2008, with the exception of 2010-2012. The evaluation focused on 2014, 2015 and 2016. Independent research consultants Mairead Furlong, Yvonne Leckey and Sinead McGilloway compiled the report.
A range of benefits for families were reported including:
- Better family communication and relationships
- Improved child behaviour and wellbeing
- Increased parental competencies and confidence
- Enhanced social life
- Greater school attendance
- Reduced service utilisation
A range of benefits for services were also reported including:
- Offers a unique, intensive and preventative family focused intervention
- Reducing service utilisation by families and/ or helping families engage with other services
- Enhancing the professional ‘toolkit’ of staff
- Develops interagency collaboration
Some key locals figures were in attendance on the day including local TD’s and Counsellors, past and present contributors of the programme along with prospective contributors. A number of parents who had completed the SFP programme were also in attendance. Local TD, Deputy Martin Heydon officially launched the report and committed to seeking a more secure future for programme in the Kildare region.
The full evaluation report can be downloaded here and the Executive Summary can be downloaded here
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