Parent Child Interaction Program

The Parent Child Interaction (PCI) Program uses a hands-on approach to educate parents on child development and build healthy relationships within families. Parents are coached through nurturing, play based activities and taught basic parenting skills such as reading cues, directing activities, positive discipline and problem solving. It a strength based program that provides support to families in a safe, non-judgmental environment that promotes and encourages successful interaction experiences. Parents are given resource tools, developmental screens and educational equipment/activities to use during the program.

Group facilitators offer guidance and support the interactions through demonstrations, role modeling, cueing and prompting. Parents receive immediate feedback and have the opportunity to ask questions, receive more/less intrusive monitoring depending on their needs and utilize peer support from other parents. PCI is a goal oriented program that allows parents to work with their Family Service Worker to determine specific areas they need to improve or skills they need to demonstrate as it pertains to their family.

Who will benefit from the program:

At risk families whose plan is to transition the children back into their care
Parents whose children have recently come into care and require education in child development or parenting techniques (and are not suitable for inclusive foster care)
Parents who have children in their care and require education in child development or parenting techniques
Parents have children between the ages of infant to 6 years of age
Parents who have identified attachment issues that prevent positive family interactions
Parents who have identified isolation issues and would benefit from a positive learning environment that encourages peer support
Parents who have demonstrated a desire or willingness to learn about child development and wish to practice parenting their children

Who the group is not intended for:

Families who require a high level of supervision
Families where the case plan is not to return the child or considering an application of crown-wardshipFamilies who qualify or are participating in inclusive foster care where the foster parent is providing direction unless it is part of the plan of integration for the child into the family home
Families who have a history of abusive behaviour during access visits that would interrupt the learning process of other participants or endanger their safety
Families who are currently receiving services in the home such as Healthy Babies, Healthy Children or attending other parenting programs in the community
Families seeking additional visit time with their children outside of the supervised access program
Families that require an assessment of capacity, parenting skills or attachment beyond that of their specific goals as agreed upon at the beginning of the program

Group details:

Group sessions will be offered twice a week for 5 weeks (10 sessions in total)
One orientation meeting is required with family, FSW and group facilitators prior to first session to discuss goals and program outline (foster parents and CSW encouraged to attend)
One meeting following conclusion of group with family, FSW, CSW, and group facilitators to discuss session achievements and make recommendations for additional service (final report to be reviewed)
Referring FSW will attend a minimum of 1of the 10 sessions for approximately ½ hour to connect with the family, observe progress and review goals (in consultation with the all involved parties) to ensure focus is in line with service plan
Links to community resources through group facilitators where appropriate following the conclusion of the 5 week program
A final report will be provided to FSW upon completion of program (copies to CSW upon request)
Communication books will be provided to all children in foster care. These books will allow parents and foster parents to share information regarding feeding, nap times, etc. and aid in the transition process.

Parent Responsibilities:

Attend and participate in orientation meeting, program sessions and follow up meetings with involved parties
Review group details and policies/procedures with FSW
To seek assistance and consult with group facilitators, FSW, or other parties involved when concerned about goals, progress, presentation or participation in the PCI program
Share any changes that will effect participation in the PCI program including change of address, phone number, crisis, etc.
Respect the confidential nature of information shared in the PCI program

Family Support Worker Responsibilities:

Promote environment of learning at sessions rooted in a strength based adult learning model
Process all referrals for the PCI program to determine appropriateness for the PCI program
Organize orientation and follow up meetings for all parties involved to attend
Facilitate PCI group including the provision of hands on demonstrations, resources, cueing, prompting, filling out of goal sheet comments, providing feedback and monitoring progress of families
Arrange and facilitate a community visit with family if appropriate following the conclusion of the PCI program
Provide a written report to the referring worker upon completion of the program (in consultation with child development worker)
Promote the PCI program within agency

Child Development Worker Responsibilities:

Attend all orientation and follow up meetings/community visits
Co-facilitate PCI group including the provision of hands on demonstrations, resources, cueing, prompting, filling out goal sheet comments, providing feedback and monitoring progress of families
Order all supplies for program including groceries and resource tools when necessary
Arrange and facilitate community referrals – attend with family when appropriate

Referring Family Service Worker Responsibilities:

Fill out PCI referral form and submit to group facilitator
Inform family, CSW, foster parents, etc. of PCI program purpose, goals, group details and procedures prior to orientation meeting with group facilitators
Arrange for transportation of family (**transportation is provided according to the transportation guidelines of Brant CAS) and review transportation policies regarding usage, cancellations, etc.
Attend a minimum of 1 of the 10 sessions of the PCI program the referred family is attending
Notify group facilitators of any change in status of family file (change of address, work schedules, family crisis, etc.)
Assist family in identifying appropriate goals for PCI program
Attend orientation and follow up meetings for each family referred to PCI program