Compass’ Positive Parenthood Project Expands Services for San Francisco Homeless and Low-Income Families
July 1, 2009 San Francisco: Compass Community Services is proud to announce that the Positive Parenthood Project (Triple P) has officially become Compass’ fifth full-fledged program rounding out Compass’ suite of services which include: Connecting Point, Compass Family Center, Clara House and the Tenderloin Childcare Center.
“Triple P helps to ensure that we can focus adequate attention and resources on improving developmental outcomes for children at risk and strengthening parenting skills in families dealing with various levels of crisis,” said Erica Kisch, Executive Director. “The structure of the program and the dedication of its staff to the families it serves are a winning combination.”
Triple P was created three years ago as a sub program of Compass Family Center to ensure that the needs of children and the family are at the forefront, even in the face of extreme hardships such as homelessness. Triple P provides strengths-based services and support to the whole family unit in order to help families achieve physical, emotional, and psychological stability. Many of the parents served were themselves the victims of childhood trauma and homelessness. They do not want their children to experience similar hardships, but have limited knowledge and capacity to end this destructive cycle.
In the 3 ½ years since its inception, the demand for Triple P’s services has grown tremendously and its staff has provided direct services to more than 465 adults and 217 children.
“With the support and tools that Triple P provides, we have seen families accomplish tremendous things,” said Rachel Del Rossi, who has coordinated the Positive Parenthood Project since it’s inception in 2005. “Becoming a separate entity within the Compass family will allow us greater flexibility to deliver the services that families need.”
Expanded service offerings:
- Triple P will now offer services to families with children ages 0-18 (instead of just 0-5, previously a funding constraint) enabling the program to meet the needs of families with children of all ages.
- Evening drop-in, counseling and therapy hours to accommodate the growing number of working parents utilizing Triple P's services.
- A greater offering activities and groups for children including playgroups and parent/child groups.
Building on Success:
- Children whose parents have been involved in Triple P for one year or longer score an average100 points higher in development assessments.
- Last year 80 parents participated in Triple P’s 15 week Child Protective Service Certified Parent Education Classes. Over the last three years, 416 parents have participated in group sessions.
- Participants in the popular Parent Action Committee have gained real-life leadership experience by organizing outings, running meetings and managing budgets.
Additional information regarding Triple P’s full service offerings is available at www.compass-sf.org.
If you or a family you know might be in need of support, please contact a Triple P intake counselor at 415-644-0507.