What is PIP?
The Parent Involvement Program (PIP) is an early intervention and prevention program for teenage youth and their families.
PIP builds positive family relationships and teach communication skills, effective discipline, impulse control, and other substance use prevention skills. Youth are taught how to handle frustration, resist peer pressure, deal with stress in a healthy manner, appreciate their parents/caregivers, and get along with others. Parents/guardians are taught appropriate disciplinary practices, how to manage strong adolescent emotions, and how to involve and empower their child. Both youth and caregivers will be taught how to effectively communicate, resolve conflicts, set clear expectations, and ways to increase positive family experiences.
Program Structure
This program consists of 6 two-hour in-person evening sessions for both youth AND their parent/guardian(s), and dinner is served. Facilitators work with the students and guardians both separately and all together. PIP is provided in both English and Spanish.
PIP is primarily for middle school (6th-8th grade) students, but occasionally a high school cohort is offered. Most cohorts will have between 8-12 students and their families, and cohort start/end dates vary. Families must attend the cohort in its entirety. There are typically two cohorts in the fall and two in the spring semester.
PIP utilizes an enhanced and customized version of the evidence-based Strengthening Families Program curriculum.
Program Goals
The overall goals of PIP are to improve the relationship and communication between parent and child and reduce youth engagement in risky behavior and substance use. The objectives of PIP consist of the following:
Improvements in honest and open communication
Improved relationships between child and parent
Increases in positive family experiences
Increases in the understanding of the others’ perspectives and experiences
Increases in parent engagement, including school
Reduction in substance use by youth
How do youth get referred into PIP?
Youth can be referred to the Parent Involvement Program (PIP) by Teen Court of Santa Fe County, principals, assistant principals, school counselors, social workers, school based therapists, community providers, juvenile probation office, and families (self-referrals) after either a demonstrated need, concern, involvement in alcohol or other drug related offenses, or in order strengthen family connection, communication, and relationship.
PIP has been a collaboration between the Santa Fe Public Schools’ Office of Student Wellness and Santa Fe County Teen Court since 2008.
There is no cost to families to participate in PIP.
PIP is currently funded by the City of Santa Fe Children and Youth Commission.
