HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Children’s Trust has awarded a $75,000 grant to Darlington County First Steps to implement the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) this year. The program’s first 14-week cycle will be delivered this spring at West Hartsville Elementary School. Another cycle will take place in the fall.
SFP is an evidence-based program that works closely with families with children ages 6 to 11 to develop positive discipline practices, stay resilient in tough times, reduce conflict, improve parenting skills, and assist children with social skills, relationships, and school performance. All of these factors play an important role in keeping families strong while protecting against potential child abuse or neglect.
Children’s Trust is supporting the Strengthening Families Program in 24 counties across the state. Our organization provides training, collects data and monitors the program to ensure it reaches maximum potential. The Duke Endowment and the S.C. Department of Social Services are the funding partners in this effort.
“We are so excited to be a part of the Strengthening Families Program and to have a partnership with Children’s Trust, Darlington County First Steps and The Child and Family Resource Foundation,” said Julie Mahn, principal of West Hartsville Elementary. “The program will begin on Feb. 22 and will run for 14 weeks. Staff from the Child and Family Resource Foundation has been in our school since the fall working on this program. We have had lots of interest from parents, and we already have a waiting list for Cycle 2.”
