aDapt
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people
Welcome to aDapt Family Solutions
Supervised Contact Services and Family Development
A WORD ABOUT US
Tracey Mann, Paula Dowling, Co-Founders
We would like to tell you the story of how aDapt Family Solutions came to be; Paula and I had worked both in the social community sector (non-profit family support) and we had also spent some time working for agencies that dealt with the care of children and supporting families with children on the autistic spectrum. We had both also been involved in providing care to children and young people.
Through our friendship and professional relationship, we had often shared our thoughts on many topics to do with family life, parenting, and managing challenging behaviour for children, we also believed that there were better ways of supporting vulnerable children and their families in our community.
Our involvement working within the community with vulnerable families, and the feedback from families themselves, helped us understand and develop the aDapt service. Families talked about needing services that were delivered in the family home that were flexible and affordable (free of charge). In addition, after hours services as well as "on the spot problem solving", with a wrap-a-round approach were all part of what families wanted.
With our combined passion and dedication aDapt was born. We developed a small team of professionals who have the experience, skill and qualifications necessary to bring quality services to our community.
Since 2009 we have never looked back. What keeps us going is the many children, families, parents, grandparents and caregivers that we have met along the way that remind us that family is everything, and united we can achieve so much.
We would like to thank the many families we have worked alongside for inviting us into their home, sharing their challenges, and allowing us to be part of their journey for a better future.
We have also been fortunate to be supported over the years by businesses and organisations within the community, we are truly grateful for this support.
And lastly, we would also like to thank Oranga Tamariki Ministry for Vulnerable Children, for their on-going support of our services, we are blessed that our work in the community is valued and supported.
OUR BELIEFS AND VALUES
VISION
Our vision, for Aotearoa, New Zealand is for every child to be nurtured and cared for so that they may flourish to reach their full potential, that they may enjoy a healthy, loving, happy family life, and children and families will prosper and go on to perpetuate this legacy for generations to come.
OUR MISSION AND GUIDING PRINCIPALS
Our mission and guiding principles are shaped by our vision for a better future for Aotearoa, New Zealand, Family, Whanau, Tamariki, children. Our people of the land.
We want:
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Tamariki to be nurtured, loved, and supported to become all they can be
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Vulnerable children and families to have access to support for positive change and family wellbeing
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Families that are free from abuse and violence
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Whanau supported to recover from adversity and to strengthen outcomes for the greater good of the Tamariki, children
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aDapt to share a journey in support of family and child, supporting families regardless of race, culture, religion, gender, or sexual orientation
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aDapt to provide a service built on trust, dignity, and respect
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aDapt to provide a service that is measurable and accountable (RBA)
Together, we in the community, professionals, families - we will work together as a team, and through our collective actions, we will build a brighter future for our Tamariki and Whanau.
As a community organisation, we will be committed and passionate about bringing services to the vulnerable members of our community for Children and Family.
ON THE SPOT
aDapt offer a unique opportunity to our clients by providing our service called"on the spot” - this service is for families that would like to have on the spot assistance.
How does this work? - during the program our clients can contact us between the hours of 7.30am and 9.00pm for some “on the spot coaching to manage a difficult situation”. Our Support Consultants talk direct with our clients by phone when a need arises helping parents to attend to immediate challenges in behavioural management for children. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to get the support at the moment they need it most. Please ask for more information about this service.
Diane, Solo Mum of Three boys had this comment about the on the spot service;
“It was great, I called the aDapt help line at 7.45pm, one of my boys aged 10 was out of control and jumping on my bed, he had already kicked over the lamp and smashed it and I couldn’t get close enough to do anything as he was kicking out, yelling, and swearing at me – I felt that things were out of control, I called aDapt, they immediately assessed the situation and helped me use some strategies step by step over the phone, their support was invaluable, my child started to calm down and I was able to get some control of the situation, in the end my son came and sat next to me and put his arms around my neck, he said through some tears I'm sorry Mum"
THE ADAPT PROGRAMME
Working collaboratively with our clients and creating a family development plan - we start by listening. The information provided by referrers and clients provides us with the foundation for building a plan. After the initial assessment with our client we start to develop some goals. With a starting point for the plan we are able to add to these goals throughout the program. There are many topics that families want to talk about. You will see a number of our standard family development topics listed below, this is just a small snapshot and we build a customised plan for each client focusing on the points that are relevant to their unique situation. It is not just about parenting, it is about the myriad of challenges faced by families that collectively contribute to outcomes.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Ages and Stages
Basket principles – know your child’s strengths and challenges
Health and wellbeing; nutrition, sleep, exercise, emotional and physical wellbeing
Puberty and sexual health – health support services
FAMILY COMMUNICATION
Reflective listening
The power of words
Ways to communicate with children
Family meetings
SENSIBLE DISCIPLINE
What is appropriate discipline
Identifying; rights, responsibilities, privileges, consequences
Using a system to improve compliance
Not sweating the small stuff
Natural consequences
Gaining control by letting go
Positive encouragement - ideas and strategies
Safety plans
Follow-through and light at the end of the tunnel parenting
CREATING A STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT
Setting rules and boundaries
Creating routines
Creating opportunities for family fun
Monitoring time spent on devices and online (Ipad, Xbox and more)
Using organisational plans
Creative ideas, hobbies and activities
Work life balance
MODELLING BEHAVIOUR
Being in the moment - Learn how to do this
Understanding the connections between parent and child behaviour
Strategies around managing self-control
Teaching children how to problem solve
Personal Anger Management - information and program referrals
SELF-CARE AND STRESS MANAGEMENT FOR PARENTS
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Stress Management module
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Self-care assessment and understanding
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Support structures
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Parent to Parent relationships
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Identifying challenges and brainstorming for problem solving
ABUSE PREVENTION
Brain development in infancy; domestic violence
Breaking the cycle of abuse
Keeping children safe – recognising behaviour
Who to call when you suspect abuse
Who to turn to when you need help
WORKING WITH THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
Communication with your child’s school
Dealing with bullying
Dealing with educational challenges
DEALING WITH OPPOSITIONAL AND DEFIANT BEHAVIOUR
Monitoring and logging events for discussion
Using a script to improve outcomes
Creating new parenting strategies
Safety Planning
ADHD AND SPECTRUM BEHAVIOUR PLAN
Understanding impulse control challenges
Modifying parenting strategies
Creating a supportive environment
Realistic expectations - what does this really mean
Seeking support Whanau, friends, professionals
Diagnoses - where to go
FASD BEHAVIOUR PLAN
Understanding behaviour challenges
Modifying parenting strategies
Creating a supportive environment
Realistic expectations
BLENDED FAMILIES
Recognising and managing the unique challenges
Providing a supportive, nurturing environment for children
New Parental roles and the best fit
Bringing together the old with the new
Managing routines and changes between households
Strengthening relationships between siblings and step siblings
SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES
Managing the unique challenges as a solo parent
Managing conflict with ex-partners
Stress management
Managing behavioural challenges for children
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
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What resources are available to families in their local area
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Other support services
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Creating a support plan
MOBILE FLEXIBILITY
Many families struggle to find time to travel to programmes within the community, they also have difficulties with transport, times, collecting children, working, and other challenges - aDapt offer the programme in the family home for the convenience of our clients.
Supervised Contact
aDapt Family Solutions have been operating for 13 years supporting families in our community. We are an accredited Agency through Ministry of Justice, and, Oranga Tamariki, to provide supervised contact services.
The services provided differ from the usual services that are offered in a contact centre. We offer a mobile service which enables us to set locations for supervised contact throughout Auckland. Venues and activities are child focused with some flexibility on choices.
Our supervisors are friendly, compassionate and child-focused, providing a positive environment for children and their families to spend quality time together. Our supervisors are highly trained and have a wide range of experience relevant to their work.
When needed, we are able to set drop off and pickup points to support all parties.
ADHD / ADD / SPECTRUM DISORDERS
Families who have children that have ADHD/ADD or have a diagnosis on the Autistic Spectrum, often are looking for solutions to help manage the challenging behaviour with their child/children. Parenting children that have complex behavioural challenges requires a solid parenting plan that addresses specific "difficult to manage behaviours". This means making changes to the way we respond to children on the spectrum, and it means learning new parenting strategies that are likely to be more successful. Our consultants have a wealth of experience working with families and children who have behavioural challenges. Many parents become frustrated when the standard parenting just doesn't work, parents talk about their child being defiant, oppositional, impulsive as well as issues around sleep routines, morning and afternoon routines and more. Parents have talked about sibling rivalry, problems at school, social challenges all being areas of concern. Seeking new ways of parenting their children is crucial and when families get the right support and information, they can start to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS
We have partnered with the ADHD New Zealand to work collaboratively with them to bring our clients the latest and most topical information.
The ADHD New Zealand was formed in 1977 and is a national, community based, non-profit organisation who are committed to relieving the distress and difficulties families experience with ADHD.
In our discussions with the ADHD NZ National Coordinator; Marceline Borren, we agree that there needs to be a unified approach by community agencies to support children and their families with the challenges faced.
By teaming up with ADHD New Zealand, aDapt Family Solutions hope to:
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Improve awareness of services and information which is likely to be most supportive to families
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Provide our clients with a link to learning more
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Have access to research and developmental opportunities that will enhance our current services for clients
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Work alongside ADHD in their commitment to the wellbeing of children, young people and their families
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Work collaboratively on new services and ideas that will support children, young people and their families
If you would like more information about the ADHD New Zealand organisation please visit their website:
OUR TEAM
We have a small but skilled team of family support consultants who will work alongside our clients. Our consultants have a wide range of skills, qualifications and experience working with families with infants through to teens. We try hard to match our clients with the right consultant to achieve the best outcome. We invite you to call us, we would welcome any questions you might have.
FROM THE CO-FOUNDERS
"It is my belief that every family has the ability to improve outcomes and manage challenges, at times they just need some traction and direction to get things moving" – Paula Dowling
"Every family is unique, so too are their challenges, this is why it is so important to take a customised approach so our clients know that the focus is where it should be" – Tracey Mann
CONTACT ADAPT
Get in touch with aDapt Family Solutions
021318139 - Tracey Mann
021318879 - Paula Dowling