Parenting is hard. But it doesn’t always have to be.
SCCMHA offers opportunities for parents to learn helpful tools and tricks to improve outcomes with their children in raising them with the Parenting Through Change (PTC) program.
PTC is a state-funded evidence-based practice (EBP) that has been offered through SCCMHA since 2013 and has helped many parents relate to their kids in more effective ways, resulting in improved behavior, stronger emotional regulation, and better relationships.
Offered in both group and individual setting, PTC uses the Parent Management Training Oregon (PTMO) model, which data from nearly 50 years of research shows that children respond to positive reinforcement when encouraging behavior more than negative.
“When you focus on children and what they do well and follow through with praise and incentive, they’re more likely to repeat the behavior,” said Child, Youth and Family Therapist Matt Linkowski. “Instead of parents saying ‘no’ or ‘that’s wrong,’ we help parents focus on they want their kids to do.”
Methods include things like offering token systems, rewarding kids for their behaviors and/or completion of chores, schoolwork, etc. In addition, the program teaches things like putting together a “routine chart.”
In this routine chart, the kids would be given a task to do, but instead of being told what the task is, instead is given a list of steps in order to complete this task.
Rather than telling a child that the task is not done correctly, they can point out the things that are done well, reward that behavior and encourage the child to complete the other steps in the task.
Linkowski talked about the pros of the program, putting the power in the hands of the parents to use these lessons with their children, saying that the same methods in the classes are used with parents, focusing on what they do well.
“Parents get stuck sometimes,” Linkowski said. “And to that, we say, ‘welcome to club, parenting is difficult,’ and instead, we put a focus on what the parents do well and what we can tweak to get to where these parents want to be with their kids.”
The group model runs for a 10-week period, focusing on different topics every week and teaching parents new ways to help kids improve on behaviors in a generalized setting with other parents.
In the individual model, plans and lessons can be put together more specifically to that parent/child/family in ways that are easier to adjust. Sessions can also be done either in-office or at the family’s home.
The individual model helps with the parents’ willingness to learn as well.
“When you’re working one-on-one, we know more about the parents and the family dynamic,” Linkowski said. “They’re more willing to open up and talk.”
Parents can qualify by having a child enrolled in services at SCCMHA. Case managers and therapists usually will refer parents to attend PTC classes. However, if you are interested in learning more, you can inquire about the program with your case managers.
For parents who are not in the SCCMHA system, but would be interested in learning some of these helpful tools, a website is available, developed in partnership with other parents who have gone through the program across the state.
This website, MI Parenting Resource, features a series of videos from parents talking about the tools they have learned through the PMTO system. Not all components of the program are available through this website, but it offers quick and helpful information on more methods to help with their children, free of charge.