‘Going from Strength to Strength’ – 175 families graduated from 14-week family skills programme in Ireland in 2019

The Strengthening Families Programme (SFP) is a 14 week, “whole family”, evidence-based skills programme developed in the US in 1982 that is now delivered in 36 countries.  Unlike other family support programmes, SFP works with parents and children as a unit, this whole-family approach has proven to significantly improve the outcomes for families. Henry Whiteside…

Sabina Higgins to launch “Family Effects: Strengthening Families Programme 10 Year Outcomes in Ireland” on 23rd March 2018

Sabina Higgins will launch “Family Effects: Strengthening Families Programme 10 Year Outcomes in Ireland” on 23rd March at Axis Arts Centre, Ballymun, Dublin.  The National Strengthening Families Programme Council of Ireland’s report sets out the national evidence of the positive impact of the programme on the lives of parents and children.  The Strengthening Families Programme…

An Taoiseach Leo Varadker visit to Kildare

On a recent visit to Newbridge by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, he met up with Foróiges Padraig O’Donovan (SFP Coordinator Kildare) and Andy Leeson (Area Manager) who had the opportunity to discuss the need for more secure structured funding to be put in place for SFP both in Kildare and nationally. Foróige were amongst a…

An Evaluation of the Strengthening Families Programme in Kildare

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…

National SFP Council of Ireland presents at Eighth EUSPR Conference September 20th – 22nd 2017, Vienna, Austria.

The main theme of this year’s EUSPR conference focused on improving quality in prevention. The paper presented by the National Council of Ireland reported on Ireland’s 10 years of SFP outcomes on parent, family and communities and highlighted key components which support its effective and sustainability as an inter-agency model.       Padraig O’Donovan…

New SFP facilitators trained in August

SFP sites across the country are getting ready for a new SFP term for information on SFP in your local area go to the Strengthening Families Programme Directory A huge part of the preparation is training of new facilitators who will join experienced facilitators in rolling out the programme. National SFP Council trainers Pádraig O’Donovan, Noel…

Congratulations to Cork SFP on celebrating 10 years of SFP in Cork

On Thursday 26th January 2017 the Cork & Kerry Strengthening Families Programme Steering Committee celebrated 10 years of delivering the Strengthening Family Programme in the Cork & Kerry region. This event was hosted in the Vertigo Room, County Hall Cork.  Over 60 professionals from the community, voluntary and statutory sectors attended the celebration. Many members…