A program that was started in 2001 in two states is helping children and families build stronger relationships in Carbon County.

During the Carbon County Child and Family Collaborative Board meeting on Wednesday, Mindy Graver of the Penn State Cooperative Extension office and a coordinator of Prosper, talked about the Prosper Project, which stands for Promoting School-community-university Partnerships to Enhance Resilience.

Graver explained that Prosper's purpose is "to cultivate community-based leadership for the widespread delivery of evidence based prevention and youth development programs."

It is a unique program, she said, in that it utilizes existing resources and Cooperative Extension offices; as well as the public school system.

Penn State University has partnered with Iowa State University to implement the Prosper program in each state in the hopes of strengthening family relationships; building a child's skills; and educating students on various topics.

Since the program was implemented the Jim Thorpe School District in Carbon County, Graver said that differences have been seen.

She noted that classes for families that are offered through Prosper are well attended and families are building stronger relationships with their children.

She added that there are classes and activities for students from fourth through seventh grade.

Some positive outcomes that parents have noted through the program include: more consistent discipline within the family; less harsh discipline needed; better family cohesion; better family relationships; and more family activities.

She explained that Prosper is helping reduce expenses on other levels as well, such as child placements, juvenile probation, etc.

For example, according to an informational handout on Prosper, for every $1 the community spends on prevention programming, there is a potential savings of $9.60, which is money that would be spent if a child needs special education, mental health services, or drug and alcohol treatments.

One Prosper parent that was in attendance at the meeting testified to the strengths of this program, saying that it helped the family and was an excellent program, providing many benefits to them. The family has since entered the SHINE after-school program, which is similar to Prosper in that it helps build stronger family ties and helps students in school subjects.

Prosper is only one of the many preventive programs Carbon County has been implementing in recent years.

Other programs available to families include the SHINE after-school program; Middle School Career Club; Right From the Start program; Pre-K Counts; Carbon County Head Start; Children's Team; and Community Engagement. All programs aim to help children and their families from birth to high school age.

In other matters, Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, co-chair of the collaborative, announced that the second annual Legislative Breakfast will be held on April 29.

The purpose of the breakfast is to educate county officials, state and federal legislators about the need for preventive programs in the county; how these programs help cut costs overall; and the funds that are needed to help keep these programs running.

Last year, nearly 80 officials attended the breakfast.

Proceeds from the breakfast were used to start a scholarship fund. The first of these scholarships will be awarded this year.

More information on the breakfast will be announced at a later time.