N
ecessity is the motherhood of invention,” Plato philosophized. The SAFE program was an idea that grew from need. SAFE Parenting (Supportive and Affective Family Education) is for parents of Greene County with alcohol or drug-related issues. The program’s number one goal: remain clean and sober.
The program began in 2012. Emily Luckey, SAFE Supervisor, explains the program’s origins: “The Greene County Family Center held parenting classes for families in Greene and realized that there was a need to focus on parents in recovery from addiction. The topics needed to not only talk about basic needs of children, but also needed to be more comprehensive to include things like parenting styles, support systems, strengths and needs.”
Parents attend a once weekly course that takes place over seven weeks. The curriculum is called Families in Recovery and is an evidence-based method. To be successful in the program, attendance is critical. “The curriculum being used is a good foundation to have in place before we start to enter the home,” Emily shares. “We try to ensure no obstacles for why they cannot attend. We can even possibly provide transportation to the class, if they have no other transportation.”
The Families in Recovery curriculum helps participants with parenting and healthy coping skills while balancing their own recovery. The class covers topics such as: Developing an Understanding of Discipline and Development, Identifying Parent and Family Strengths and Needs.
Everyone involved with running the SAFE program cares deeply about helping the parents be successful in the program. The curriculum is created to fit the needs of each particular family. After parents finish the course, they are given a certificate and begin in-home visitations with the SAFE Specialists. Visits start as weekly visitations, and as progress is made, families can move on to every other week and then monthly. Each parent is taught to focus on five goals; three are short term goals and two are longer term goals. “The staff works with the parents to ensure their choice of treatments are being followed, as we are not drug and alcohol treatment, but a parenting program for parents in recovery,” Emily states.
Many families involved with SAFE are referred by Children & Youth Services (CYS). When SAFE sets up a family’s goals, they ensure that the goals align with the CYS service plan. This helps to confirm that CYS needs are met and can result in CYS not being called again.
To keep the program running smoothly despite COVID-19 restrictions, most visits are currently taking place via Zoom or phone calls. Families feel that they get more out of in person meetings though, so some families have requested to meet face to face when possible. One SAFE Specialist is assigned to work with each family.
For anyone who would like to join the SAFE program, or has questions or referrals, call 724-852-5276 and ask for SAFE Parenting or ask for Emily or Briana.