The Family Centre
Please help us choose which two of our illustrated family
e-books should be free for all!
Scroll down this page to see all of the books.
What we refer to as The Family Centre houses some of the Strong People Strong Family (SPSF) Resources, which have taken seven years to develop. Please read SPSF History and Research for a brief synopsis of the project, not limited to the reasons for the creation of the project, how we chose our over 200 participants and why the term 'strong' - as defined by SPSF - will be vital for families and communities to thrive in this century. You will see also photos of our very first SPSF Contributors. Also see Profiling SPSF Artists.
Please support our quest to build strong families
One item of information at the right time can save a family emotional, physical or financial distress
Dr. Edward's philosophy of life includes the upliftment of others and the avoidance of distress. She takes a great deal interest in the welfare of children and families, and operates from a compassionate, non-judgmental position.
Dr. Edwards completed medical school at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, and holds an MSc in Clinical Dermatology from Cardiff University, United Kingdom. Her professional experience is wide: she has worked as a dermatologist in Jamaica and recently completed an internal medicine preliminary year of residency at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. Currently, she is a clinical trial fellow/sub-investigator at SUNY Downstate in the department of dermatology,
Dr. Edwards strives to make a difference in the lives of others by being an expert practitioner and skilled researcher. See a synopsis of her research here. Connect with her Instagram Page at @strongpeople_strongfamilies.
​HELP US CHOOSE
WHICH TWO BOOKS SHOULD BE FREE FOR ALL
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Strong People Strong Families (SPSF) is one of our Education and Culture initiatives. See About Us.
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There are six Strong People Strong Families (SPSF) e-books and many free Guidebooks. The e-books have between 80 and 100 pages.
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The books are not written in the same format. For example, Keep Your Child Safe, addresses mini topics and is written at a Grade 9 level and Healthy Romantic Relationships is a more in-depth work. But all are easy to read and are illustrated. They are based on current realities that concern the over 200 participants in our research, and the opinions of many of them are included in the books, which are positive in tone. SPSF has also attempted to be non-judgmental in tone, bearing in mind that not all of the contexts and circumstances of the lives of individuals are known and that families are complex entities. The books blend what is generally considered to be best practices with input from our SPSF Contributors.
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Most of the guidebooks have fewer than 25 pages. The e-books, guidebooks, stories and a mentor's manual are to be released at different times during 2024 and 2025. ​​
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WHICH TWO BOOKS SHOULD BE FREE FOR ALL?
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The proceeds from the sold e-books will go to the FIPA Foundation, but two will be free for all. Please help us to choose the two e-books.
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The Least You Should Know About Children - begins the discussion of ways to create healthy, happy, resilient and brilliant children. The Handbook for The Least You Should Know About Children, which is full of activities, will also be made available.
Keep Your Child Safe is essential reading because of the unnecessary pain and distress that children suffer due to preventable accidents. This is a beautifully illustrated book.
Child Discipline Made Easier is a practical, friendly, bright book loved by everyone who has read it thus far. The book offers practical tips on discipline and how not to 'spoil' a child in a way that affects their self-discipline, resilience or mental health.
Protecting Teenagers discusses ways to help prevent the common mistakes that teenagers make, some of mar their adult lives. A must-read book.
Healthy Romantic Relationships is a lively and positive book which also addresses serious concerns in romantic relationships.
Food Strong is a most useful and enjoyable book that helps to boost both physical and mental health. It is sufficiently comprehensive that it could be used as a beginners or sensitization book for students who are studying nutrition.
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So which two of these books should we make free for all - and why? Send us your opinions on Contact Us.
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Free Guidebooks, which are normally 10 to 30 pages, cover a range of diverse topics. For example: 'elder power', the entrepreneurial family, family violence prevention, manhood, how to run effective family meetings and fun for the family. SPSF will also provide special materials for adults who had Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) or Adverse Adult Experiences (AAES).
We have a guidebook on 'friends as family', and 'the power of pets to give happiness'. The release of the first Guidebook will be in September 2024.
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Handbooks will not be free, but will be reasonably priced, like all SPSF resources.
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Videos. With sufficient contributions, we will present videos as resources for family leadership education and individual wellbeing in the family, workplace and community.
Our List of SPSF ebooks
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An Example of a Handbook to help create constructive conversations
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An Example of a Free Guidebook to help create constructive conversations
Example of a discounted course where participants can also share their concerns
Example of a course taught by business experts
See our recommended family finance videos
THE STORIES
What on earth is happening in an apartment in that block? Why do their neighbours want all four persons to leave? Why do two of them fly home the following month?
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Fictionalized stories are a major part of the Family Centre, and they contain elements of mystery, romance, all of the goodies. Workplace stories are also included as they can affect family life. This is a most exciting aspect of the Family Centre. Video production is Phase 2 of the Project. Also see SPSF History and Research.
A Video we would like the world
to watch
This is the video we would like the world to watch, when we first saw it on 60 minutes in May 2024. Look what happens when children are protected from negative aspects of the culture. Please share with family, friends and colleagues.
LET'S TALK
Write to us at fipafamily@gmail.com under the heading Let's Talk if you would like to talk to us about family matters.
The Family Centre's impact
on other Centres
The Family Centre plays a central role in FIPA's mission, focusing on the well-being, stability, and empowerment of families. It addresses issues such as family dynamics, parenting, and support systems, which form the foundation for a healthy society. The challenges faced by families often extend into other areas of life, creating a natural link between the Family Centre and the other three centres. The relationship between the Family Centre and the Mental Health Centre is critical. Mental health is a key aspect of family well-being, and challenges within the family can significantly impact the mental health of its members. The Family Centre works closely with the Mental Health Centre to provide holistic support, recognizing that the emotional and psychological health of individuals within a family is intertwined with family dynamics. This collaboration ensures that families receive comprehensive care that includes both relational and mental health support. The Family Centre also connects with the Trade Centre, recognizing that economic stability is often a cornerstone of family well-being. Families are deeply affected by economic opportunities and challenges, and the Trade Centre works to provide resources, training, and support to ensure that families can thrive economically. The Family Centre ensures that its programs support economic resilience, helping families to be stable and successful both emotionally and financially. The Family Centre is closely linked to the Centre for Critical Thinking in Leadership (CCTL), which addresses a number of subjects, including family leadership and self-leadership. Strong leadership within the family is essential for creating stable and supportive environments. Families often require guidance on decision-making, conflict resolution, and future planning—skills that are fostered through critical thinking. The CCTL provides the framework for parents, guardians, and other family leaders to apply these principles in their roles, ensuring that family decisions are made with clarity, fairness, and foresight. By teaching family leaders to think critically, the Family Centre helps foster a more thoughtful and resilient family unit, where challenges are approached with logical, empathetic, and well-structured solutions. Finally, the Idea Lab serves as a space for innovation and problem-solving for all the centres, including the Family Centre. It allows for new approaches, strategies, and solutions to emerge by providing a platform for collaborative thinking. The Family Centre draws from the creative ideas generated in the lab, applying critical thinking to family-related issues while also contributing insights that benefit the other centres. This relationship ensures that the Family Centre remains adaptable and forward-thinking in addressing the evolving needs of families.