Right From The Start

RFTS is an excellent 8 session attachment course that helps parents connect socially and emotionally with their infant. Based on a group learning model, parents come together to see video clips of common experiences and problem-solve together to develop their own solutions to parenting challenges. Facilitators must be trained by course developer Dr. Alison Niccols, Psychologist, Infant-Parent Program, McMasters University. For additional information, visit the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development.

A few years ago, Daybreak Parent Child Centre invited Dr. Niccols to provide RFST Facilitator Training in St. John's, and fortunately, approximately 30 people were able to attend this training. Presently, the course is only available through a partnership between Daybreak Parent Child Centre and Child, Youth and Family Services.

There are many other trained facilitators in the region and GEMMA is able and willing to help get a course mounted on a pilot basis in the fall of 2007. The ideal arrangement would be co-sponsorship with a community-based organization, such as an infant centre, family resource centre or community centre. In this scenario, the agency will provide the space and assist in recruiting participants, while GEMMA will identify potential facilitators. Decisions regarding course fees will be made by the sponsoring group.

The class format is an adult education framework, and therefore it is suggested that there be 12-15 participants. One important course requirement is that attending parents have a child under two years of age.

Dolores McNeil, Parent and Child Health Coordinator with Eastern Health Health Promotion, is the main contact person for RFTS in our region, and has agreed to respond to inquiries. If you or your agency are interested in offering an RFTS class in the fall or winter of 2007, please contact:

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Last updated: January 11, 2009