History

The program started in December 1986, as an initiative to prevent gang affiliation and violence through parental education and intervention. At that time, the agency also provided services for runaways and youth involved with the legal system. Over the years, the curriculum of the Parent Support Program underwent several revisions to better serve the current target population.

Target population

Spanish speaking parents or guardians having at least one child between the ages of 5-17 who would like to enhance their parenting skills and/or is court mandated to attend parent training classes..

Services

Assessment and referrals, advocacy, 15-week curriculum based on a psycho-educational model delivered in a group setting, ongoing support groups, recreational activities for families and individual/family therapy.

Staff composition

Two full-time staff: Program Coordinator and Counselor.

Advocacy efforts

Local Area Network # 75 (advocacy efforts for families in the Pilsen/Little Village area), ongoing advocacy efforts on behalf of clients with several institutions.

Trends

There has been a marked increase of couples participating in the program compared with single parent participation in the past. Participants are reporting issues of substance abuse for self and their youth. There is also an increase of requests from participants for individual and family counseling. Parents involved with court systems are usually due to the charge of child neglect (unsupervised care).

Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault / Women in Transition / Peace Program /

Teen Reach / Latina Leadership / Child Care / SASS / Sanctuary / Mother & Daughter