Strengthening Families in Cork and Kerry

Families in Cork and Kerry will benefit from a high quality family skills programme, with a new support manual available to local groups launched on June 16th in Cork County Hall by the City Lord Mayor Cllr Chris O’ Leary.
The Strengthening Families Programme (SFP) is an intervention programme for the family and has proven to help build communications skills, address decrease risk factors in family. The innovative programme differs from many other interventions by bringing the whole family – parents and children – together to learn new family skills.
In addition to launch the manual, the event celebrated the achievements of the Strengthening Families Programme, which was first piloted in Cork in 2008.
In recognition of the effectiveness of the programme, a wide variety of agencies working with young people and families came together to develop a comprehensive support manual. The new manual is a first for SFP in Ireland, and will be a key resource for programme co-ordinators running the programme, insuring a consistent and high standard of programmes throughout the two counties, delivering a high quality intervention to families.
The agencies involved range from addiction support groups, education and training, justice, and family, youth and community groups – all working with families, and promoting the development and implementation of the programme across the Cork and Kerry region.
At the launch, David Bauman of the Cork and Kerry steering group said, “The Site Coordinator Support Manual is an exciting new development for the Strengthening Families Programme in Cork and Kerry. Our families will greatly benefit from the implementation of the manual, making our region’s commitment to delivering effective programmes and embedding good practise .”

Pictured above: David Lane, HSE Drug & Alcohol Services;Geraldine Ring, Matt Talbot Adolescent Services; Joe Kirby, Cork Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force; Gemma O’ Leary, Cork Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force; Lord Mayor Chris O’ Leary; Lorraine O’ Donovan, Le Chéile Mentoring & Youth Justice Support Services; David Bauman, Arbor House; Clare McCarthy, Ballincollig Youth Initiative; Kate Gibney, Southern Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force; Moira O’ Sullivan, TUSLARosemary Fox, Young Persons Probation