Programs & Services > Counselling > Connecting Families > Connecting Families Train the Trainer
Connecting Families Train-the-Trainer Program
FST "Connecting Families" is a group education and support program for parents and their children age 4-14. It is a "prevention" program aimed at building family supports to strengthen individuals, families and the community, with special emphasis on newcomers living in high need areas of Toronto.
This "three pronged" program model includes:
a) connecting family members to each other
b) connecting families to other families
c) connecting community parent leaders with other leaders and bringing them together in a Train-the-Trainer program so that they can replicate the program in their local community.
The objectives for the "Connecting Families" program participants are:
- to enhance and learn new parenting skills;
- increase their knowledge of family supports and programs in the community;
- increase parental involvement in their child's school; and to
- broaden the scope of knowledge about parenting in the community by training other parents to deliver parenting support workshops and groups in their local school.
All participants in the “Train-the-Trainer” Program must initially participate as parents in the “Connecting Families” Parent Program.
The Train-the-Trainer program helps participants enhance their group facilitation skills and become more knowledgable about optimal parenting strategies to support healthly child and youth development.
The training program includes small and large group discussions, role plays, video-tape review of group facilitation, personalized mentoring and evalution.
Upon completion of the Trainee program, participants receive a certificate of participation and evaluation feedback. Trainees are also provided with information about how to apply for grants through their school council to support parenting support work in their local school.
Graduate Trainees are encouraged to participate in the monthly “Trainee Support Network” to share ideas, support each other and discuss other community supports and funding. Occassionally guest speakers will be invited to Trainee Support Network Meetings.
Contact Gillian Frise, Coordinator, Connecting Families Program for more information about the program. gillianfr@familyservicetoronto.org
