Community Connect

ISSUE 6 • MARCH 2009

E-news from Family and Community Services

Welcome to the sixth edition of Family and Community Services' e-newsletter. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to tell us your stories, please email us on enews@facs.govt.nz.

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Issue Six - March 2009:

Te Anau Heartlands has immigration success

PAFT makes a difference

MSD computers put to good use in Cook Islands

Results Based Accountability reaps rewards in Hawkes Bay

Fund supports innovative positive parenting

Franklin Family Support opening a new office

Community Link Approach Builds on Heartland Services

Community Action Fund Round Four now open

Planning for success

Twenty parent volunteers offer to become teen parent mentors

Tough guys promote love and respect

Whānau Christmas event celebrates family

DVD provides voice for teens

Not-for- profit annual pay survey helps set pay expectations

What's happening in the community

PAFT makes a difference

The Parent As First Teacher's programme, (PAFT), philosophy that parents are their children's first and most important teachers is reaping rewards.

The programme, which is based on research from the Harvard University preschool project, aims to help parents participate more effectively in their children's early development and learning.

One young father credits PAFT for helping turn his life around.  This Dad was caught drink driving in August last year. He appeared before the court on these charges and asked the judge if he could say something before he summed up.

He admitted to his drinking problem and apologised to his family and friends. "I have a drinking problem, it is a problem because I have made the awful decision to drink and drive it is wrong. My life is not my own and I realise that. I would like to apologise to my partner and our children, to my family and friends and to the young people who I influence, who think that I am a hard man".  

He went on to say, "I have been part of PAFT, a parenting programme which has been happening in our home for the last seven months.  Through the information and games we learn to play, I acknowledge that I have been less than what is required to be a good father. I am still learning".

The father was given 150 hours of community service which he served at a local school playing sport with boys with behavioural problems. He then volunteered at the school until he got a full time job at a power company.

He maintains one of the main reasons for the change in his life was the family's involvement in PAFT and the revelation of how his child's well being was paramount.

"This parent is one of many parents that have been inspired by a dedicated group of Parent Educators. They believe that the Ahuru Mowai/Born to Learn curriculum that PAFT follows does make a difference, said Sina Umaga, Team Manager Ahuru Mowai.

"Parents like this Dad are the best advertisement for PAFT, as behavioural change is very powerful."

» For more information on PAFT.