Using Technology as a Learning Tool for Young Parents

by chrismcgregor
Categories: Divisional News
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For more than 100 years The Salvation Army Grace Haven has been there to assist pregnant and parenting youth, but it was time to evolve to meet the changing needs of young families.

Through a $57 000 Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory Innovation Grant, Grace Haven in Hamilton has moved to a collaborative day program model that creates individualized supports focusing on overall family health and wellness.

The Young Parent Resource Centre is the only one of its kind in Hamilton to bring a holistic approach to day programs for parents, infants and children. The multifaceted support team works with families to develop strength-based, goal-centred programming around healthy pregnancies, positive parenting, education, life skills, spiritual development and mental health and addictions.

Stephanie Amos, program manager at The Salvation Army Grace Haven, says day programs at Grace Haven are thriving, with 740 parents and children taking part in programming and services over the last two years, including Grace Haven’s New Choices Addiction Treatment program.

This success requires a move to update its technology to a secure web-based case management software to replace the slow and ineffective hand-written, paper-based record keeping. Funds will also be used to purchase infant simulators and operational software complete with iPhone and Android apps and new experiential infant care and parenting curriculum.

“Infant simulators give a practical, hands-on, skill building, simulated experience for young parents by replicating a true to life re-creation of a home environment. These technology-based learning tools bring realism to parenting in a way that young people can relate to,” Stephanie explains.

Additional grant money will also be used to create an online presence with a professionally developed website to expand reach to young people with easy access to information and resources.

“Youth are attracted to engaging, interesting, accessible and efficient programs. We cannot be progressive without the tools necessary to engage and connect with today’s youth,” Stephanie says.

Grace Haven supports parents, who are often living with complex challenges and unique learning needs including those with developmental and learning disabilities, issues with addiction and mental health challenges.

Stephanie said technology increases a person’s ability to learn successfully, particularly for participants with attention deficit disorder, autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol syndrome, and memory and executive functioning deficits.

Participants in Grace Haven programs can access the new model when it rolls out this spring.