There is a wonderful program at Utah Valley University that was introduced in 2008 called the “Stronger Families Project.”

“The SFP is comprised of the collective engaged learning efforts of many different departments, programs and internships across Utah Valley University. The SFP leverages student engaged learning experiences to help families achieve meaningful and successful lives in a mutually beneficial way. Families participate for free in weekly classes and receive personalized support from individualized family coaches.”

The SFP mission statement is to “Elevate the family as the fundamental source of happiness and well-being by teaching parents, teens and children how to improve their interactions and emotional patterns of the whole family.”

The next eight-week session will run from Jan. 30 through March 30 and is open for registration. The program uses evidence-based, nationally-recognized curriculum to teach both parents and children how to improve interactions and emotional patterns within the family.

Topics covered in the spring program include healthy patterns of communications, family interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, emotional and mental health, positive discipline, problem solving, goal setting and achievement, anger management and establishing family values. Information and registration is available at http://uvu.edu/sfp.

There are three sessions each week, but families will only attend one per week. Sessions in English are Tuesday night at Orem Jr. High from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday nights from 6:30-8 p.m. (location to be determined). Both of these sessions are in English and open to the whole family attending. The Spanish session will be Tuesday night at the UVU Campus for the same hours. The Spanish sessions are for parents only, but newborns can stay with parents and children one to six can attend a free educational classroom.

This program provides great opportunities for families who are struggling to learn skills that they can utilize to bring peace and harmony back into their homes.