Introduction

Families play a central and critically important role in our children’s lives. Families and School Together (F&ST) offers support to families to help children do well at school, at home, and in the community.

In F&ST, parents, teachers, and professionals work together to build family unity, strengthen family relationships, and support all members of the family – parents, children, and extended family – achieve their potential.
F&ST gives parents and their children an opportunity to spend quality time together, enjoy and support one another and participate more fully and comfortably in their school and in their community. The model’s structure embodies a unique and complex interplay of tested family therapy practices, delinquency and substance abuse prevention strategies, parent education techniques and communications theory.

F&ST has been recognized in Canada and the United States as a best-practice program for preventing substance abuse problems among young people and for building emotional intelligence. F&ST provides maximum impact in a short period of time – all based on credible theory, proven research and rigorous evaluation.

Services for Families

Eight to ten families participate in 8 weekly after-school meetings at their local school. Each session follows a specific schedule that includes opening and closing traditions, a shared family meal, family activities, parent time, kids’ time, and parent-child time. Families are joined by teachers, program graduates, specialists and other volunteers who help run the evenings.

At the end of the program, families graduate to a 22-month program that mirrors F&ST, but is increasingly led by parent graduates. Over time, it evolves into a local parent support network.

Here is what some people are saying about F&ST:

“I feel welcome at the school now. I can come in anytime and talk. Before F&ST I would never come in here.”

“I have more friends, we say hi when we see each other in the community.”

“I love the parent group. We get to talk about issues we’re having and give each other suggestions.”

“You don’t come here because you have a problem. You come for the support and the connections. It breaks the isolation.”

“We have been implementing F&ST for the past five years at our school, and we have seen some very positive results. Parents have become more actively and positively involved in parenting their children. They work more with children on their homework, and they participate more actively in the school community, including the parent council.”

“Increased self esteem, closer family relationships, more parent involvement in the school, and the development of a strong support network all contribute to clear improvements in children’s academic performance and behaviour at home and at school.”

The school F&ST team is made up of a community partner (from Family Services Ottawa), an addictions partner (from Rideauwood Addictions and Family Services), at least one parent, and at least one teacher. It is supported by a team of volunteers who can come from all over. The community partner serves as team leader, coordinating the program in close consultation with the other team members.

The following is a list of current F&ST schools in the area. If you’d like to bring the program to your child’s school, please contact us.

Robert E. Wilson Public Elementary School
Queen Elizabeth Public Elementary School
Connaught Public Elementary School

Languages

The F&ST program delivered by FSFO is offered in English.

Information for Volunteers

F&ST brings families together at school for an evening of communicating, connecting, and fun. The program helps children succeed at school and at home, and it helps parents connect with each other and their communities.

Time Commitment: 3-4 hour a week, from 4:15 to 8:00, on 8 consecutive evenings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can find out if F&ST is offered at my local school?

Ask at your school, or contact our office.

How can I bring F&ST to my child’s school?

Call our office to get more information. F&ST works best when the school principal, one or two teachers, and one or two parents are all part of the team.

What does F&ST cost?

There is no charge to participate in F&ST.
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Contact Information

For more information about Families & Schools Together, contact Laurie Rektor, Director of Community Programs, at 613-725-3601, extension 118. Or, email at lrektor@familyservicesottawa.org