(Left to Right: Kris Perry, Executive Director First 5 CA; Jolene Smith, Executive Director FIRST 5 Santa Clara County; Dr. Sherri Shapiro )

Ten Bay Area First 5 counties, over 120 people in attendance, representing health and human services (county departments as well as community based organizations), early care and education providers, Superior Court staff, First 5 California Executive Director and staff, First 5 Association Director, and County Commissioners- joined together to hear a national speaker/trainer, Dr. Sherri Shapiro, from the University of South Carolina, provide information regarding the Triple P Positive Parenting Program. This multi-level system of service for families engages the community in an international movement towards Positive Parenting.

“The Triple P System of Interventions is designed for every parent and caregiver. This is one essential tool in a tool box to support families, offering practical and positive approaches for dealing with common child-rearing issues. It allows children to grow up with the security of knowing that their parents and caregivers are the ones in charge", said Dr. Shapiro.

Dr. Shapiro addressed the goals of Triple P Positive Parenting which include: strengthening parental confidence, prevention of child maltreatment and children's social, emotional and behavioral problems and promotion of school readiness. Triple P Positive Parenting makes evidence-based parenting information and interventions widely accessible to parents and caregivers.

Jolene Smith, Executive Director of FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, said, “10 First 5 Counties joining together under the umbrella of an evidenced based practice for supporting families has never happened before. The potential for positive impact on our children and on our communities is limitless.”

The Triple P - Positive Parenting Program contains several tiers, including Standard, Group, Enhanced, Self-Directed, and Media. A 2007 review of Triple P found that all forms of Triple P had moderate to large effects when outcomes were assessed with parent reports. It also found that an enhanced version of Triple P was associated with improvements in observed child behaviors.

Triple P-Positive Parenting Program Follow-up Questions