"Thanks to all the Ladder staff. For me being a part of the program was a life saver that has helped my entire family."

In partnership with Latrobe Health Assembly, Ladder implemented Surviving Adolescence, an evidence-based parenting pilot program with parents and carers of young people currently participating or who recently graduated from the Step Up Latrobe Valley program.

Parents from the first program recently came together for a shared dinner to celebrate and reflect on how their lives have changed since completing the program 12 months ago.

The Surviving Adolescence program has been a transformative experience for both parents and teenagers. By providing tools and understanding, it has helped families navigate the adolescent years, fostering stronger relationships and more effective communication.

Parents from the first program were surveyed and 100% still feel positive about their parenting journey. 100% say that conflict has reduced in the home since completing the program, even up until now. 100% are proactively continuing to find opportunities to connect with their child and many have attended the family outing activities organised by Ladder.

Upon reflecting on their time in the program, parents were asked what is something that they had learned in the program that they are currently still practicing in the family home. Below are some of the responses:

“Listening to Blake before reacting. I have slowed down which helps our relationship”

“Making more time”

“Positive reinforcement”

“He has to learn things own his own, but with guidance from his elders”

When asked about suggestions or improvements to the program, one of the parents advised that they would like to see whole family sessions in future.

Ladder is now into the second year of the two-year pilot program and is continuing to work with Latrobe Health Assembly to build strengthened family units in the Latrobe Valley. To learn more about the program, click here.