The Operation Connect (formerly known as Caregiver Connections) program focuses on parenting education and parent-child attachment using The Incredible Years Parenting Series and Theraplay. This Kansas City-based program is funded in part through a grant from the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF), and housed within Operation Breakthrough.
Operation Breakthrough’s mission is to help children who are living in poverty develop to their fullest potential by providing them a safe, loving, and educational environment. Incredible Years is an evidence-based curriculum incorporating parent, teacher and child social skills training. Theraplay is an established method for improving the parent-child relationship using the four dimensions of healthy interaction-Structure, Engagement, Nurture, and Challenge as its framework. The program targets high-risk families, especially those with multiple risk factors.
We spoke with Brijin Gardner, Director of Clinical and Social Services for Operation Connect, about the program.
AUDIO: Brijin talks about the program’s domino effect.
The majority of families served by Operation Connect are working or in school and have inflexible work schedules, and parents who don’t have access to insurance or mental health services.
AUDIO: What are Brijin’s ultimate goals for Operation Connect?
The Center strives to support and empower the children’s families through education, advocacy, referral services, and emergency aid.
AUDIO: How Operation Connect helped one mom during a stressful time with her child.
The majority of moms don’t recognize themselves as a change agent in their child’s lives. Operation Connect equips parents with knowledge that they are a change agent in the life of their child.
AUDIO: Brijin explains her vision while creating the program and incorporating Theraplay.
For more information, please call Operation Breakthrough at 816-756-3511.
