Resource Centre promotes positive parenting,
healthy relationships
Wednesday July 24, 2002 Linda Viscardis
The Peterborough Family Resource Centre (PFRC) is now an Ontario Early Years Centre, and as such is a place where parents and caregivers can get answers to questions, information about programs and services that are available for young children, and have an opportunity to talk to early years professionals, as well as other parents and caregivers in the community.

According to PFRC Family Support Co-ordinator, Nancy Doherty, the centre provides support and resources for parents who, among other things, are at risk of experiencing or witnessing violence. She says parents who gain access to the centre's resources benefit in various ways.

"Depending on what program they use, they may get some time to take a breather from their children, or to get a fresh perspective," says Nancy. "And they learn about healthy relationships and positive parenting. They keep coming, and learn to recognize if they are in an abusive relationship, without someone else telling them."

Whatever program parents choose to participate in, there is always supportive and knowledgeable staff on hand to answer questions, or to make referrals to appropriate community agencies. For those who can't visit the centre or any of its outreach locations, support is only a phone call away. And now that PFRC is an Early Years centre, there is no charge for any of the programs, and transportation can often be arranged.

Some programs are specifically designed for the centre's priority population, that is, people who have low income, low education, special needs, English as a second language, who are teen or single parents, or who may abuse alcohol or drugs. These programs include Babies First (a prenatal nutrition program for women at risk of having a low birth weight baby), Steps and Stages (a phase two program for graduates of Babies First), and Nobody's Perfect (a positive parenting course). Other more generic programs that will benefit any parent, including those at risk of experiencing or witnessing violence, include the parent relief program at Leta Brownscombe, various local playgroups, and parent-child drop-ins. Parenting courses that promote the concept of positive parenting include How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk; One, Two, Three, Four Parents; Good Discipline, Good Kids; and Enjoying Your Baby. The centre also has a free toy and book lending library.

Early Years Centres provide information about programs and services that are available in your community - including those for children with special needs. Located on Antrim Street in Peterborough, PFRC is one of 42 centres in communities across Ontario. For information, call the Ontario Early Years Centres INFOline at 1-866-821-7770.

For further information about how PFRC supports parents, contact Nancy Doherty at 705-748-9144.

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