Parenting101

This basic parenting book specifically addresses the issues that the incarcerated, addicted, and homeless populations face.  It helps clients to self-evaluate areas so often neglected by other programs. This is an excellent resource for singles raising children by themselves, for individuals engaged in custody or support battles, or for married couples.  It helps clients separate themselves enough from their own emotional needs and struggles so that they can focus on what their children need from them. This book was specifically created for the FIT curriculum.  Each lesson ends with a fun quiz for closure and further discussion.  There are 31 focus points with a journaling section at end of the book. Written by Don Pratt, Ph.D., of FIT.  Click for sample pages of the Facilitator Guide.

5 Lessons.  Separate Facilitator and Group Member Guides.  Small Group  Format.  Click for  more information.

The longest and most academic course, this series emphasizes parenting and disciplining based on the stages of development.  The balance of appropriate loving and correction is spelled out for every age level.  This study is appropriate for parents of children of all ages as they need to know how adjust as their children grow and mature.  Future parents could especially benefit from being better prepared for the challenges of parenthood.  There are separate lessons on every stage of development from prebirth to adult.  Written by N. Elizabeth Holland, MD, of Turning Point and is appropriate where extensive, age-appropriate materials are needed.

13 Lessons.  Separate Facilitator and Group Member Guides.  Small Group  Format.  Click for  more information.

Insight

This is the most intense of all six units and has great potential for fast and meaningful growth.  Its key is its heavy emphasis on group interaction and application of goal-setting in a scriptural setting.  It is based on the assumption that all of us have to deal with addictions of some type (substances, behavioral, or relationships) and that the answer lies in turning to our faith in God to help us remove the hindrances that control us.  This clearly-written guide will help participants discover a better way of life even if they have given up hope of getting any better.  This material has been responsible for countless exciting studies over the past 20 years in exploring the most basic and greatest issues of life.  Written by  Jimmy Ray Lee,  D. Min. of  Turning  Point.

Free to Grow

Free to Grow focuses on ways to let go of the disappointments of the past so that a new future can be opened up.  This is a very important area for all of us, but is of special concern among the incarcerated.  The 12-session format allows a sufficient time period for participants to get to know you and open up and share.  It is one of our longest units.  Free to Grow has proved very successful and popular because it touches on so many of the areas of daily living.  Its strength lies in the carefully-developed, standalone lessons and the equally-developed question sets that make small groups so effective.  Participants look forward to the next lesson even after 10 or 11 lessons.  Written  by  Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. of Turning Point.

Anger

This excellent interactive course has the advantage of focusing on a well-recognized problem – anger management.  Since its need is so universally recognized, it is an easy one in which to get discussion going in and provide guidance. There are many otherwise nice people behind bars who ruined their lives precisely because of one act where they did not properly handle their anger. Many, many others have had their lives marred or wasted by not properly recognizing and facing their own anger issues.  Two ingenious lessons on "when is anger a sin?" show how anger can be used for good as well as for evil.  Written by Larry Heath of Turning Point.

9 Lessons.  Separate Facilitator and Group Member Guides.  Small Group  Format.  Click for  more information.

Dating and Marriage

In an age of widespread divorce and marital discontent, the principles in this practical guide have never been more needed.  This material is especially pertinent for the adults who grew up as orphans or in dysfunctional families and have had no effective role models.  In a world too full of selfishness, this study provides an outline for realistic expectations and processes for both partners to examine.  The course examines the important dynamics which underly successful relationships.  Written for small group discussion, this book contains powerful suggestions, provocative questions, and a fun quiz at the end of each lesson.  Written by Donald Pratt, Ph.D. of FIT.

9 Lessons.  Separate Facilitator and Group Member Guides.  Small Group  Format.  Click for  more information.

Handling grief involves the handling of losses of any type.  The incarcerated often have often had to bear more than their share of personal loss.  This unit gives the group members a chance to systematically work through these issues, many for the first time.  This is the forgotten link in restoration because of the denial that any problem exists.  Participants will share experiences that will enlighten them about their own personal struggles and coping strategies to deal with them. Written by Raymond T. Brock, Ed.D. of Turning Point.