Register Now for class starting March 15

SPRING 2017

“Guiding Good Choices” Parenting Class Focusing on kids ages 9-14 5-Week Parent Education Workshop Series

March 15 – April 12, 2017 at Waitsfield Elementary School To help parents improve family bonding and reduce risk of teenage drug use The award-winning parenting class Guiding Good Choices is a free, five-session workshop that aids parents and/or caregivers of elementary and middle school students (grades fourth through eighth), sponsored by Vermont Department of Health Regional Prevention Partnership grant, Central Vermont New Directions Coalition, and Washington West Supervisory Union. The course covers: 1- Understanding the adolescent brain, risk factors, protective factors 2- Setting clear guidelines and following through with positive and negative consequences 3- Preparing kids to respond to peer influence, refusal skills 4- Conflict management, controlling and expressing anger constructively 5- Strengthening family bonds and increasing children’s participation It is important to reach kids early--before entering middle school and before high school are crucial times. Guiding Good Choices has an excellent track record for preventing youth alcohol and drug use. A local parent who has taken Guiding Good Choices says, “If you have kids, you owe it to yourself and your family to take this course.” Many parents feel they don’t have much influence over their child’s behavior, but research shows just the opposite. Parents are the number one influence on their child’s use of substances. In the mid ‘90s, Dr. David Hawkins and Dr. Richard Catalano of the University of Washington looked at 19 risk factors that affect children in their teenage years. They discovered that parents and other adult caregivers can play a major role in keeping kids on track. Come learn the skills to keep your child safe and yourself sane! The next Guiding Good Choices workshop for parents and caregivers of fourth through eighth graders is free. WHEN: TIME: WHERE: WHO:

5 Wednesdays, March 15, 22, 29 and April 5, 12 6:00 – 8:00 pm Waitsfield Elementary School Parents and caregivers of youth in grades 4-8, Ages 9-14

Free, Space is limited, Pre-registration is required. Childcare provided with reservations Contact: Ann Gilbert, Director, CVNDC, at 802-223-4949 or [email protected] CENTRAL VERMONT NEW DIRECTIONS COALITION 73 Main Street #33 Montpelier, VT 05602 (802) 223-4949 www.cvndc.org

Guiding Good Choices Class Outline Session 1 - Teen Risk and Protection factors: How parents can affect the odds • • • • • •

Welcome and overview. What factors place children at risk for using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco? What factors protect children from using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco? How can parents help reduce the risks and increase the protective factors? The importance of parents. Introduction to the idea of holding family meetings.

Session 2 - Setting clear guidelines, monitoring behavior and following through with consequences • • • •

Developing and articulating a clear position on drugs, alcohol and tobacco use. Establishing clear guidelines and expectations for youth’s behavior. Responding to children’s questions about guidelines and expectations. Holding a family meeting to express standards and expectations.

Session 3 - Preparing kids to respond to peer pressure (Kids come with parents this week!) • • • •

Introduction to refusal skills and why use them? The steps: Name the trouble, identify the consequences, suggest an alternative, move it, sell it, or leave—but leave the door open. Practicing using the steps under pressure Practice using them at home

Session 4 - Conflict Management • • • • •

Rationale for managing family conflict Controlling anger Practicing controlling anger Expressing anger constructively Holding a family meeting to share skills learned and begin to put them into use

Session 5 - Increasing children’s family involvement to strengthen family bonds • • • • • • •

Photographs activity How children’s participation in family decision making, chores, money and health tasks strengthens family bonds Participants learn about the protective processes of opportunities, skills and recognition and family management tools of guidelines, monitoring and consequences. Family meeting to expand children’s roles in family Strengthen family by expressing love and appreciation for children Starting a parent network Closing and evaluation

SPRING Class: March 15 - April 12, 2017

Registration: 223-4949 [email protected]