No one ever said being a parent is easy.
With sponsorship funneled through Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition, Triple P will be holding three introductory classes during the month of July to serve as a support system to parents, or up and coming parents, free of charge.
“Angela (Hagaman) actually helped bring the program to North Carolina while she worked out there,” said Jilian Reece, Coalition director. “With the success that was shown in North Carolina, she said she loved the program and was wanting to bring it to the community. We are able to cover the cost of the program with it being written into our first year of funding.”
According to the organization’s website, Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is a “parenting and family support system designed to prevent — as well as treat — behavioral and emotional problems in children and teenagers.”
The program utilizes social learning, cognitive behavioral and development theory, along with research into risk factors associated with the development of social and behavioral problems in children.
CCDP held the inaugural class mid-June and Reece added the program will be a benefit moving forward for the families in the community.
“Parenting isn’t easy,” she said. “I’m the mother of three little boys. No one is ever going to be a perfect parent and there are going to be issues that come up. These classes are the perfect way for parents to come together, have a support system with each other, and learn some different techniques when working with children. Positive parenting can be such a huge benefit for the community.
“This program is part of our goal with Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition,” she continued. “This is the perfect opportunity for parents that are coming back from recovery. It provides them with the tools on how to reconnect with the children and be a positive role model going forward.”
Triple P is broken up into five different sections. One of the first section of classes, community members have their opportunities to attend:
• July 13 – Boys and Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter
• July 20 – Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library
• July 27 – Elizabethton Housing and Development Agency
The classes are scheduled to last from 6 to 7:30 p.m. each day and will be free to participants. Classes will also include free dinner and free childcare for children ages two years and above.
Reece added the class is geared toward up parents of children ranging from either up and coming parents to guardians of preteens. Each of the three nights will be for the first section of the program. Once the three are completed, Reece added that scheduling will begin for section two.
Along with CCDP, the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County, East Tennessee State University, Elizabethton Housing and Development Agency, Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library, Red Legacy Recovery, Watauga Recovery and Carter County Schools each participated in June’s class to learn the necessary tools to host the classes at their respective locations.
“It is so fantastic to see the different organizations come together for this program,” Reece said. “It shows how focused we all are on helping our community grow. We want to continue offering these types of events.”
Visit triplep.net to learn more about the positive parenting program. To learn more about the local classes, contact Reece via email at ccdpdirector@outlook.com or visit the Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition Facebook page online.