Strengthening Families Program

The David A. Imler Initiative is excited to announce the launch of its newest program, Strengthening Families. This program is specifically curated to help build parent and child relationships. This program focuses on developing parent-child communication and life skills needed to promote healthy relationships at home.

Launch Event Details

On January 11th, 2023, Hillsboro Area Hospital and Cross Over Ministries will host a launch event for this program. The purpose of the launch event is simply to allow community members to learn more about this event. Community members can join us for a free informational session to see if this program is right for your family. This is not an official first session.

Location: Cloud Room at Hillsboro Area Hospital
Date: January 11, 2023
Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
Dinner: served from 5:30-6:00 pm by Lipe’s Lunchbox
Door Prizes
- A family portrait session gift certificate
- Fusion family passes & party rental
- Family movie night in Hillsboro

Program Details

The weekly Strengthening Families Program allows parents and youth to attend classes together, learning parenting skills and youth life and refusal skills. They have separate class training for parents and youth, followed by a joint family practice session. The Strengthening Families program itself is completely free and includes:

A 6-week program, meeting weekly for just 90 minutes
Free Family Meals
Participation incentives
Free childcare for children 6 years of age and younger
Graduation gift for each family

Who can participate?

This program is for children aged 7-17 and their family members. Free childcare is provided for children 6 years old and younger.

This program is designed for any family looking to have strong bonds of love and respect, joyful relationships, and kids kept free from alcohol and drugs.

To learn more about this program, please visit: https://www.crossovernfp.com/strengthfam.html

Community Need

In 2019, Hillsboro Area Hospital (HAH) partnered with the SIU School of Medicine to research mental health needs here in our community. HAH was driven to understand the risk and protective factors associated with depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation of youth. The research showed that 20% of 6th-12th grade students had experienced suicidal thoughts within the last 12 months. Moreover, a low commitment to school, bullying, and family conflict greatly contributed to the students' depression and anxiety scores. After evaluating this research, HAH worked with the Hillsboro Schools to establish the David A. Imler Steering Committee to help address the identified mental health state in our area.

This program was specifically selected to help address the tough topics our community members are facing.