Expanded Family Assistance Hubs within our institution

In an effort to strengthen families and improve parenting skills, Diakonie Michaelshoven has initiated a new family support program in Cologne and the surrounding region. This program, open to all caregivers regardless of origin, lifestyle, or social situation, aims to empower parents and enhance self-efficacy.

The comprehensive program offers a diverse range of services, including parent evenings, online lectures, workshops, open meetings, parent-child groups, children's courses, interactive activities, playground meetings, and shared family experiences. Many events are designed to be barrier-free or inclusive, ensuring that all families can benefit from the program.

Family support centers, located in various areas such as Donaustauf, Lappersdorf, Neutraubling, Nittendorf, Regenstauf, Schierling, the intermunicipal family support centers Donau-Wald (Woerth a. d. Donau, Wiesent, Brennberg), and Jura (Beratzhausen, Hemau, Laaber), serve as hubs for shared family experiences and encounters. Each family in the district can contact the nearest support center, regardless of their place of residence.

New to the program are multi-part Kess-Parent courses in cooperation with the Kolping Adult Education Association e. V. These courses aim to support parents in dealing with conflicts more calmly, providing orientation, and meeting their children on an equal level. The contents of the Kess-Parent courses are practical and sustainable, even for families in challenging situations.

The family support program also includes thematic workshops on children's rights, resilience promotion, and self-confidence, which convey central values such as participation, protection, and mutual respect. Proven formats such as "First Aid for Children" courses, events to strengthen parent-child bonding, promote child resilience, and relaxation units for parents are also included in the program.

Family support centers are led by experienced professionals who listen, provide orientation, and, if necessary, refer to further support offers. The coordinating office for family education and family support centers is located at the Regensburg County Administration.

For more information about the family support program and the services offered, please visit www.family-education.info. The program does not specify any new additions or changes to the existing services or cooperations at this time. However, with Diakonie Michaelshoven's commitment to family support, it is expected that the program will continue to evolve and grow to meet the needs of families in the Cologne and surrounding region.