Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) – Positive Solutions for Families Workshop
Kristie Hartzel – DTAC Mental Health Professional
Positive Solutions for Families is an evidence-based parent training that provides information for families on how to promote children’s social and emotional skills, understand their problem behavior, and use positive approaches to help children learn appropriate behavior. These strategies address both challenging behaviors and the mental health needs of children. These sessions provide parents with general information on key strategies that may be used with children of all ages.
During this workshop, we discuss a wide range of positive approaches that support children’s self-regulation, independence, cooperation, and problem-solving skills. This workshop is typically a 6 week (2 hours each week) that consists of hands-on role playing and strategies to aid with specific child behaviors presented from families who attend in person. Due to Covid – 19, we have offered this workshop in a condensed Zoom meeting format that lasts approximately 30 minutes for each session and is a continuum from month to month.
At the end of each session, families have the opportunity to ask specific questions and gain insight into problem-solving via collaborative discussions between the facilitator and families. The workshops are designed to be standalone topical sessions and if one session is missed, the opportunity to experience other selected topics is encouraged. There are also opportunities for additional learning through reading materials such as sample family routine guides and newsletters, all available to each family.
Topics will include but are not limited to:
–Making Your Expectations Clear
–Household Rules
–Presenting Limited, Reasonable Choices
-“First, Then”
-Family Routine Guide
Many families who have attended the traditional Positive Solutions for Families workshop have expressed experiencing success in improved communication and strengthened relationships between family members. The series is aimed at providing parents with tools and resources to achieve less stressful and more enjoyable family interactions. These strategies are interventions that can help strengthen and motivate families to achieve a healthier and more effective parenting approach. Opportunities for families to participate in these innovative and exciting workshop experiences are currently being offered through DTAC’s Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) and are facilitated by the programs’ Mental Health Professionals.
