A program that was introduced to the Battlefords and nine other sites in the province 20 years ago is celebrating its anniversary this month.
The Parent Mentoring Program of Saskatchewan is recognizing that milestone anniversary as is Prairie North Health Region, which was among the group of 10 locations in the province that first launched the program.
It began in 1996 under the name Successful Mothers Support Program. In 1999 it expanded from 10 to 16 locations including Meadow Lake and Lloydminster. It was renamed the Parent Mentoring Program of Saskatchewan in 2006.
Prairie North’s PMPS program continues to serve clients in the Battlefords and area, Meadow Lake and area and Lloydminster and area.
“PMPS is a valuable program that provides parents and young children with a warm, caring relationship that is supportive and encouraging,” said Jenise Tisdale, provincial co-ordinator of the PMPS, in a statement.
“Through home visits and group opportunities we connect program participants with a mentor or co-ordinator who visits the family regularly providing guidance and support.”
“Parenting can often feel isolating, perplexing and stressful,” said Elaine Sonmor, PMPS co-ordinator in the health region.
“PMPS offers parent-focused support. Someone to talk to who parents can trust and someone who will listen and spend time with the parents. These parent mentors will offer suggestions, information, referrals and outings that suit individual parent needs and that are focused on the health and well-being of the family. For parents who are new to the community or who do not have someone to rely on, having the support of a PMPS mentor can make a significant positive impact on the parents and their family.”
Sonmor also noted the program has partnerships to allow for group programming.
“In the past six months, we have had 80 groups in our region, with 426 parents and 474 children participating.”
The groups include stroller walks, Hello Parent, Newcomer Parenting and Babies First. A new group coming this fall is called Mothering Journeys and will focus on maternal wellness.
Prairie North’s program currently has 25 parent mentors and Sonmor states that hundreds of volunteer mentors have offered their time in the region over the past number of years.
For more information on the Parent Mentoring Program of Saskatchewan visit www.pmps.ca or contact the Prairie North program for the Battlefords at 306-446-6443, 306-820-6236 for Lloydminster or 306-236-1581 for Meadow Lake.
