Parents Reaching Out to Maintain and Improve Self-Esteem {PROMISE}
The PROMISE program was established as part of the Head Start program in 1993 to address the growing problems of substance abuse and violence among participating families in the program. There are two components to the program -- prevention and intervention. The major components of the prevention program are:
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| increase the awareness of parents and their young children about substance abuse through extensive education; |
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| build self esteem by providing educational outreach services to encourage parent participation in community activities, education and job training and employment; |
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| encourage community service and volunteer activities in parents serve as sponsors or participants in such activities as Neighborhood Crime Watch, Toys for Tots, teen dances, and neighborhood clean up activities. |
The intervention program was initiated in 1993 to provide direct services to Head Start families where there is evidence of serious substance abuse. Intervention specialists provide long term services to families in such areas as problem identification and referrals to treatment facilities and programs. The staff also works with the family of the person during treatment to insure that the families basic needs are met and to provide them with the support they need. Most importantly, the staff works with the individual and his or her family to insure post-treatment support to insure that the recovery process continues.
PROMISE also operates an extensive summer program designed to provide children ages 7 to 12 with positive recreational and educational activities. The program organizes neighborhood dances, field trips, block parties, basketball tournaments and field trips.
Most recently, the PROMISE program has been funded by the Lancaster City Housing Authority to provide the services described above in the Franklin Terrace and Susquehanna Courts public housing facilities.