Families First is a preventive intervention program designed for the emotional enhancement of parents and children in the Jennings School District. It is a coaching program for 4-6 year olds and their parents, conducted by Joan Luby, M.D. in partnership with the Jennings School District and Superintendent Dr. Art McCoy.
What Is Included in Families First?
First, you will complete a family interview at the EEDP. When you arrive at the EEDP for your appointment, you and your child will play some games together. Then you will be taken to a quiet room for the parent portion of the interview. The parent interview will mainly focus on your child’s moods, behaviors, and development. It will also include questions about your own background, feelings, and parenting stressors.
Your child will do an EEG, which is a way for us to look at activity in the brain. Your child will wear a hat with small dots of water-based gel while they play computer games and earn prizes. After this, they will play some more fun games on an iPad. It is designed to be age-appropriate, fun, and engaging.
Families will be compensated for their time and effort at each assessment.
After this interview, families will receive one of two parent-child enhancement programs:
- PCIT-ED Program
OR
- Parenting Wisely Program
After you finish either program, you will come back in for another family interview.
PCIT-ED Program
PCIT-ED is a modified version of Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Parent-Child Interaction Therapy – Emotion Development (PCIT-ED) is a coaching program where you and your child work one-on-one with a trained therapist to:
- Improve your relationship and communication with your child
- Practice clear methods for handling misbehavior
- Understand your and your child’s emotions
Click here to learn more about PCIT-ED
Parenting Wisely
Parenting Wisely is an online 12-week program for successfully raising children that you can access from any device, in order to:
- Practice listening to your child
- Set limits for behavior
- Teach good social skills
Click here to learn more about Parenting Wisely
Learn More
View frequently asked questions about the Families First program
