Press Release  Norfolk Juvenile Probation hosts Mothers Program Commencement

Dedham, MA —  

MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Norfolk Juvenile Probation’s MPower (MOMPower) Program, an 11-week parenting skills initiative, will celebrate participants’ completion on Thursday, May 3, 5:30 pm, at Norfolk Juvenile Court, 55 Allied Drive in Dedham. The four mothers in their early 20’s to 50’s are steps closer to reunification with their children.

MPower participants are subjects of care and protection cases—when abuse and/or neglect of a child is alleged.  Since the program was established in 2012, 32 of the 49 MPower graduates have had their children return to their physical custody, according to Assistant Chief Probation Officer Teresa Plante who together with Probation Officer Tracey Clogher designed and developed MPower.  As part of the program, mothers attend workshops on nutrition, healthy relationships, child discipline and development, child trauma, substance abuse, and organizational skills.

“We are really proud of the program and the progress the mothers have made. The mothers in this group have learned important parenting skills and are one step closer to getting their children back. The relationship between mother and child is often key in the child’s development and who this child becomes as an adult,” Plante said.

Norfolk Juvenile Court Probation also offers the impactful Triple P Program for both mothers and fathers. Of the 20 parents who have completed Triple P, an eight-week parenting intervention program certified by the World Health Organization, 12 have retained custody of their children. The children have been identified as having behavioral problems as a result of being removed from the home.

“Programs like MPower and Triple P are among the many parenting programs the Massachusetts Probation Service (MPS) offers for offenders. We have found that participation in this type of programming has provided the necessary skills to help reunite families as well as reduce recidivism among offenders,” said Probation Commissioner Edward J. Dolan.

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