Parent-Child Interaction

Parents and children are shown how their behavior affects others and are taught skills to improve relationships. Parents are helped to understand their children's behavior and taught positive, nonpunitive forms of child management. Through careful demonstrations, both parents and children are taught how to be more affectionate and responsive to one another.

Daily Routines

Parents learn to structure time and activities to prevent misbehavior and reduce stress. Reorganizing important times of the day, such as meals and bedtime, can help the rest of the day go smoothly. Staff are trained to help parents develop adaptive daily routines to encourage family cohesion and provide for appropriate care for the children.

Health Maintenance and Nutrition

Programs have been developed to improve family nutrition and dietary habits. These programs prevent obesity, malnutrition and other nutrition problems. Parents are helped to find medical care for themselves and their families. Parents are trained to identify illness in young children.

Stress Reduction

Many family problems and conflicts result from parental stress and anxiety. Parents are helped to reduce stress through relaxation training and anger control procedures. Children may also benefit from learning stress reduction skills.

Home Safety and Home Cleanliness

Most young children are at risk for accidents and injuries. Programs have been developed to assist families to eliminate the hazards in their homes. Programs have also been developed to improve home cleanliness and personal hygiene.

New Parent

The new parent is provided training and counseling in preparation for childbirth and infant care. Instruction is also provided in nutrition, health care, infant development, safety, and use of leisure time.

Basic Skills

Some important aspects of child development require special attention from parents. Project 12-Ways can provide parents with hands-on assistance in toilet training, language skills, dressing, feeding, bathing as well as individual family problems.

Self-Esteem and Assertiveness

Past experience, stress, and anxiety can result in persons who are intimidated or exploited by various people and situations. Self-esteem and assertiveness training give individuals tools to resolve conflicts and to assert their positions within their families and society without being destructive to others.

Problem Solving

Family problems are frequently associated with stress and anger in families. Family members are instructed in problem-solving, negotiation training, and communication skills. These skills provide the basis for identifying and resolving sources of conflict.

Community Support

Project 12-Ways recognizes that there are community settings other than the home where families and children may need help. Foster homes, institutions, mental health agencies, schools, and day care centers are among the settings in which Project 12-Ways provides consultation.

Money Management

Project 12-Ways provides training in basic money management such as saving and budgeting for essential goods or services. Families also are taught to resolve debts.

Job Finding

Job seekers are helped to obtain employment, and are assisted with job-related skills such as interviewing and resume preparation. Counseling services may be provided to parents to help maintain their jobs.

Individual Programs

Project 12-Ways will develop special treatment programs for a variety of additional problems such as: medication and exercise management, childhood constipation and soiling, safety plans for families experiencing domestic violence, weight loss, and other areas.