Background

Making the Difference Together began in 1992. That year, it served 30 parents in one local high school. It has since expanded to provide courses throughout Simcoe County.

Making the Difference Together is a program of the Adult and Continuing Education division of the Simcoe County District School Board.

Our Purpose

The goals of Making the Difference Together are:

• To increase parenting capacity
• To decrease child abuse and family violence
• To strengthen families and build family resiliency
• To promote positive parental involvement at school

Parents attend Making the Difference Together for a variety of reasons. Some are in crisis. Some are referred by another agency or a school. Others are looking for options around a particular issue. Still others wish to parent differently than they were parented and are looking for alternatives. Many parents come seeking afirmation for all the things they are doing right. Some experience loneliness or isolation, perhaps in parenting or in a new community.

Parents may be struggling with letting go of a teen. They may be thinking about what they could be doing in the younger years to set their family up for future success. Many are proactive hoping to nip problems in the bud. Parents may be adjusting as a single parent or working to blend two families. They may need help with school issues. When a parent participates in one of our courses, it sends a powerful message to the child, "I love you and I care enought about you and your ultimate success in life to do this." Attending a course is also a way for parents to model lifelong learning.

Whatever your reason, we believe you will find helpful pieces to the parenting puzzle.

Since 1992….

• Over 15,000 parents and caregivers have completed our courses.
• More than 30,000 children have been directly affected by these parents.
• Over 2,500 teachers and front line providers have been trained in parallel courses.
• Some Simcoe County schools provide parallel courses to their students.
• Making the Difference Together has been instrumental in assisting the implementation of courses in other Ontario centers.
• Making the Difference Together has become recognized for its numerous community partnerships.

Did you know…

• Making the Difference Together facilitators have been trained and accredited through Triple P International and the University of Queensland, Australia in order to deliver a variety of the internationally renowned Triple P programs.
• Effective Parenting and Cool Solutions programs are based on well researched internationally acclaimed curriculae developed by the Institute for Affective Skill Development. Making the Difference Together has worked extensively with the Institute and curriculum author, Constance Dembrowsky.
• Course materials reflect best parenting practices. Skills and principles presented reflect and support the teaching of such familiar authors as Barbara Coloroso and Faber and Mazlish as well as programs such as The Incredible Years and Kids Have Stress Too!

Our Staff…

All facilitators are professionals. They are parents deeply committed to their own families and to personal growth. Each facilitator is extensively trained in our various programs and in their delivery. They attend ongoing professional development related to parenting.

Our Programs

Effective Parenting
A 9-week course designed to help you help your your child thrive at home, at school and in life! Parents gain information, strategies, techniques, and skills in order to help their child develop healthy self esteem, relate effectively with others, demonstrate responsibility, problem solve and set goals.

Cool Solutions
A 10-week anger management/conflict resolution course designed to create harmony in ourselves, our families and our communities. Parents and others gain an in-depth understanding of what anger is, how it develops and anger's effects. They develop skills to break anger's control, handle anger constructively, respond to others who are angry and solve conflicts in respectful, peaceful ways. Participants gain an understanding of what it takes to build and maintain healthy relationships. Particular attention is paid to outlook, self-talk, building empathy and identifying the real issue.

Triple P Positive Parenting
8-week programs were developed by Triple P International at the University of Queensland, Australia. Simcoe County is one of the first areas of Ontario to promote these evidence based series. These programs for parents of 2-10 year olds or for 10-15 year olds focus on positive parenting principles, reasons for misbehaviour, ways to support apporopriate behaviours and methods of dealing with misbehaviours when they occur. All of our facilitators are accredited by the University of Queensland to teach these programs.

Topical Workshops
These individual workshops or a mini-series can be specifically designed for you or you can choose from a list of our most requested topics. While all of our workshops are designed with parents in mind, many have also been adapted to suit a general audience.

Our Funding

The Making the Difference Together adult education program is funded by a Ministry of Education grant and community partners. This combination of grants, private donations, business and corporate sponsorships, school councils, service club and in-kind donations are the lifeblood of Making the Difference Together. Making the Difference Together could not succeed without its many partners. We gratefully acknowledge their support.

Should you wish to make a donation to Making the Difference Together it can be mailed to us at the address below. An income tax receipt will be issued.

Contact Us

Making the Difference Together The Learning Centres, Bayfield Mall, 320 Bayfield St., Barrie, ON L4M 3C1 Telephone: (705) 725-8360 Ext. 333 Fax: (705) 725-8359 Email: parenting@thelearningcentres.com