Programs & Groups
Community Parent Education (COPE)
AYSP offers community-based, short-term, educationally-focused COPE (Community Parent Education) groups, for parents or caregivers of youth aged 12 to 17 years (up to their 18th birthday). COPE 12+ is a large-group parenting course which runs for 10 consecutive sessions/weeks, 2 hours per week. Groups are typically offered 2 times per year. COPE groups include the use of video clips, problem-solving discussions, skill-building exercises and goal-focused approaches. Course leaders, who are children’s mental health professionals, guide parents using methods proven to reduce parenting stress and improve parent-child/youth relationships. Parents work together on solutions to parenting challenges, share ideas, and try out new youth behaviour management strategies. Childcare and assistance with transportation is also available if needed.
Inclusionary Criteria:
- Residents of Peel
- Parents/caregivers experiencing moderate to serious parenting difficulties
- Families at risk of requiring more intensive/long-term supports or services
- Parents/caregivers able to consistently attend a 10-week parenting course
- Parent/caregivers amenable to learning about and attempting new behaviour management strategies
- Families may be receiving service from other service providers who determine group will compliment such service
