'12 weeks. “time, theyll also complete ‘toals so -gistration ~ come, first-serve basis and - there is no interview pro- “cess that might act as a Parents to go to class Two local groups qualify for provincial youth project funds - By JENNIFER LANG YOU MIGHT call it Par- -enting 101. A comprehensive new parenting program aims to “give young parents the skills they need to raise healthy children. Parents [In Training, or ‘PIT, is a free, 36-day pro- ~-pram-starting -in “January that will teach participants life. and parenting skills ". they may not already be equipped with. .The PIT course is being -offered by the Northwest Band Social Workers As- -. $ociation, one -of two local “groups: that qualified for $75,000 in provincial gov- “ermment money for youth _ Projects. - Seven referrals have al- “ready come in for the pro- pram, : Participants will attend class three days a week for During that an adult education certifi- “cate through Northwest Community College. Plans call for the course to be offered five or six times over the next 18 months. ““We work with a lot of young parents and a lot of children. at risk," exec- utive director Geri Mc- Dougall said, adding abor- iginal children and youth comprise the overwhelm- ing. majority of those * placed under ministry care “in-northern B.C. “I thought, why don’t we give these parents the that it won't happen?” “Families affected by .the residential school sys- tem may have found it dif- ‘ficult-to bond with their _ children, she said, adding the course is designed to help strengthen families. ‘It’s-open to anyone. Re- is on a first- deterrent to potential parti- cipants — although they will be expected to remain sober during the length of the course. “I's been a long time coming,” said Debbie Scarborough, the local consultant who was hired to design the course curri- culum and help run the program, “Babies don’t - come with instruction manuals,” she said. When she. started her research, she was surprised to discover there were no programs of this scope in the province. Where other parenting programs operate fora few hours a week, parents signing onto the PIT pro- gram will be expected to attend three days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They'll working through three to four topics each week, “They will have to work,” Scarborough said: “It's going to be a challenge.” The program will con- centrate on effective par- enting skills - communi- cating, listening, control- ling anger and improving family literacy - but life skills are another main component of this inten- sive, hands-on course. A combination of course facilitators and guest speakers will parents to how to eat healthier meals, open a bank ac- count or even get a library card — things some parents may have never done be- fore, as startling as it sounds. The project grant is from a $2 million fund from the Ministry of Child- ren and Family Develop- ment that’s managed through UNBC's social work program. It was created to assist family-supporting agencies in the north to help reduce the number of children in government care. Non-profit societies, First Nations agencies, IT'S BEEN A LONG time coming, says consultant Debbie’ ' Scarborough, who designed the curriculum fora new parenting. course, : JENNIFER LANG PHOTO school districts and muni- cipalities were eligible for one-time only funding of up to $75,000. The Terrace Child De- velopment Centre is an- other local recipient’ of a Strengthening and Crea- money will can take part in the Build- ing Blocks program:.over the next 18 months.” The. child’ development. centre can -also provide weekly community parent- ‘Babies don’t come with instruction : manuals.’ ting Capacity to Care for “Children and Youth Fund grant worth the maximum amount. Executive director Mar- got Van Kleeck said the NORTHWEST Be COMMUNITY COLLEGE ing classes in conjunction with other agencies in Ter race. Both of these programs operate out of the Park Centre office at 4665 Park bondi “ “the! ‘Ave. number of families who “The CDC's Building Blocks program is for first- ‘time parents under. the age of 24 who gain support and information through a combination of home visits ‘and. weekly group meet- ings for families. A weekly. drop-in’ group © for fathers: and their child- ren aged: 5 “and “under. is one of the Park. Centre’s successful aew additions: These’. sessions. blend ‘activities | ‘and: discussions about parenting during a shared meal. Another par- ent drop in takes place Mondays. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - A3 News In Brief Vacancy rate dips THE RENTAL vacancy rate here has dropped but still remains the second highest in B.C. The rate for Terrace was 35.8 per cent, down nearly five points from a year ago, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Kitimat continues to have the highest vacancy rate in B.C., with 40,5: per cent. That’ s s marginal drop from 41 per.ceat last year. . Prince Rupert’s residential vacancy rate: shot up from 27.5 per cent to 34.8 percent. Low vacancy rates have pushed average rents down in the Terrace-Kitimat area: CMHC: said. the average apartment rent in Terrace fell to $475 from im average $516 the year before, Kitimat rents eased 34 a month to an average $456. Taking the plunge THE UPCOMING Kinsmen Kermodei .Bear Swim is shaping up to be-one of the biggest and best at- tended plunges in the event's 13-year history. Not only will dozens of brave souls take turns leaping into the chilly Lakelse Lake water to ring in the new year ~ it will also be the: official kick off of the Year of the Kermode. _ Terrace’s 2010. Community benefits ‘team, city council, Skeena MLA Roger Harris. and: the Kins- mien club are joining: forces to highlight ‘the. drive to have the unique white bear chosen asa symbol for the 2010 Winter Olympics, says swim chair Bruce Martindale. . Roger Harris and city administrator Ron Poole are just a few people taking the plunge to raise awareness about the northern push to elevate the popularity of the bear. “This is one of the most important issues ‘econo- mically and po litically,”” says Marlindale.. “We need to gain ownership of it for this city and ownership at an international level before somebody else takes ownership of it.” The Jan. | celebration will include an “official launch of the Year of the Kermode featuring ‘Ter- race Mayor Jack. Talstra, followed. by an anticipa- ted group of at least 50 people jumping. feet first into the frigid water to ring in the new year. The festivities kick off at-I p.m. Thanks for the lift A SECOND WORLD. War veteran says highway maintenance crews appear to have listened to his recent complaints about snow removal. Otto Lindstrom wondered why Nechako North- Coast’s grader operators couldn't give him a break by lifting the wing of the blade as they Pass the entrance to his farm on Highway 16. With his CAT bulldozer down for repairs this winter, the 87-year-old has been forced’ to shovel the mountain of snow left behind in the driveway when the highway. is cleared, Lindstrom, who argued his driveway isa special case because his family. gave.up part of their farm for the highway, right-of-way, said last week he was pleased to discover crews had cleaned the en- trance after the most recent snow fall. IF you lose your job... IF you are sick... Neid Enterprises tan make sure your new machine is paid! HAVE NO FEAR. We only go around once. ~ START LIVING YOUR DREAMS! DOWN NG PAYMENTS FOR L YEAR ON WAL MODELS 2 Ph; 635- 3478. Fax 635- 5060 .