Connections Counselling and Consulting Foundation
Helping kids have better parents.
Executive Director: Pat Morris
"In 2008, Connections provided in-home services to 39 client families totaling 45 parents and 61 children. Of those families, 8 were new to Connections. This effort totaled 4,152 direct service hours. Connections remains unique in offering long term support to families over a number of years."
Impact
When working with families headed by a parent with a developmental disability, we consider many factors that impact their ability to parent effectively. Family life is continually under threat. Financial difficulties, housing problems, mental health concerns, chaotic personal histories, and isolation all contribute to their vulnerability. A history of poor role models compounded by numerous stressors can impact a parent's ability to adequately provide a secure attachment for their child. Connections ensure that the parents supported are given the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to adequately parent their children and establish the positive bonds throughout their lives.
As one of the parents put it "I don't learn very well from books or being told what to do. I am better learning from being hands on. The Support Worker from Connections Counselling was non-threatening and demonstrated through modeling different tasks. For instance, she showed me how to interact better with my two boys by playing board games, singing songs, and learninig nursery rhymes...We have developed a strong, trusting relationship with our Support Worker, and would like her to continue to support us. We believe that without the support that Connections Counselling has given us we would not have gotten our kids back (from Child Welfare) in February, 2009 (as they were taken away in November 2008). We now have a new born son and we feel that with continued support we can continue to learn from our Support Worker and grow as a healthy family."