San Antonio: Metro Health Violence Prevention Offers Support For Parents During The Pandemic With New Triple P - Positive Parenting Program

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

February 3, 2021

Triple P supports parents with research-based strategies for setting healthy limits and managing children’s behavior.

SAN ANTONIO — As COVID-19 continues to change our communities, parents face new and unique parenting challenges. School closures, social distancing, and reductions in services have shifted the world children were familiar with, creating unintended consequences for their health and well-being. The new Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) helps parents cope with the pandemic’s impact on family life.

According to a study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, since March 2020, 27 percent of parents reported their mental health worsening, and 14 percent reported worsening behavioral health for their children. Also, 24 percent of parents reported a loss of regular child care. These factors contribute to parental burnout. Research-based strategies can support parents in healthy behavior management of their children to reduce stress for parents and children.

Through a collaboration between the San Antonio Metro Health Violence Prevention Section, the San Antonio Area Foundation, and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, parents and families can take Triple P classes for free, either through live virtual facilitated classes or by completing a self-paced online course.

“We know that parents are doing their best through a tough time. Triple P provides parents with practical skills they can quickly adopt to support their family,” said Jenny Hixon, Public Health Administrator overseeing Violence Prevention at Metro Health. “We’re grateful to our community partners who are committed to supporting all parents and innovating ways to provide Triple P.”

Triple P gives participants tips and ideas to help make family life calmer. It’s not a ‘one size’ fits all, but rather families can do as much, or as little, as they like, choosing what works best for them. Parents can select the level of Triple P that meets their needs, ranging from a seminar providing a basic overview of positive parenting strategies to an in-depth, 8-week parenting course.

“Now more than ever we’re realizing the stressors of parenting, having to handle intensified work responsibilities and making the kitchen table a supportive remote learning environment, all from one day to the next,” said Patricia Mejia, Vice-President for Community Engagement and Impact at the San Antonio Area Foundation. “For that reason, we’re proud to stand with partners such as the City of San Antonio and dedicated nonprofits to address the root causes of domestic violence. We fully support the Positive Parenting Program as an effective, proven method of creating and fostering healthy family dynamics that can have a lasting generational impact on preventing violence at home.”

Triple P is not only for parents. Grandparents, extended family members, and caregivers can also enroll for free at www.triplep-parenting.com/SA. Workshops are offered virtually, and parents can enroll in classes that fit their schedule and unique needs.

“We've supported and seen the success of Triple P for parents in our community since 2018 and we are excited about the expansion," said Dr. Jeniffer Richardson, Vice-President of Family Initiatives. "UWSA believes in the power of many organizations coming together and is thrilled to continue the support of this important initiative."

Workshops are offered in English and Spanish by Metro Health Violence Prevention staff as well as certified members from partner organizations, including: AVANCE San Antonio, DePelchin Children’s Center, City of San Antonio Department of Human Services Head Start, Family Services, Guardian House, Martinez Street Women’s Center, San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Awareness, Metro Health Healthy Neighborhoods, Metro Health Healthy Start, The Health Collaborative, and The P.E.A.C.E. Initiative.

For more information on the Triple P Program in San Antonio, click HERE. To learn more about Metro Health’s Violence Prevention initiatives, click HERE.

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.