NORTH READING — The North Reading Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition is again offering its “Guiding Good Choices” program in a workshop series free to the community.
This interactive program is open to all parents, grandparents and caregivers of children ages 9-14. In a lively, open and confidential atmosphere, participants will learn specific strategies to help their children avoid substance use and other high-risk behaviors.
Participants will learn how to set clear family boundaries on substances, practice skills to strengthen family bonds, help their children develop healthy behaviors, and increase protective factors.
Program Coordinator Christie Perrone explained, “This is the fifth time we’ve been able to offer this program to families. But this time, participants can select one or more workshops broken down by topic.”
The workshops run from 6-8:30 p.m. The series topics include:
• Workshop 1: Wednesday, March 30 – Family Fundamentals and Values
• Workshop 2: Wednesday, April 6 – Facing Family Conflicts and Risk Management
• Workshop 3: Wednesday, April 13 – Setting Your Family Up for Success
• Workshop 4: Wednesday, April 27 – Youth Substance Use and Mental Health 101
“Of course,” Perrone added, “we recommend attending all four workshops to maximize learning.” The four-part series will be hosted ay the Flint Memorial Library in the Activity Room and will include dinner and a gift card raffle to all participants each week, thanks to a grant from Winchester Hospital.
Introductory webinar March 9
New this session, interested participants are also invited to attend a one-hour introductory online webinar on Wednesday, March 9 from 7-8 p.m. to learn more about the program.
The evidence-based “Guiding Good Choices” program was developed by Dr. J. David Hawkins and Dr. Richard F. Catalano, both of the University of Washington. Their research has shown that when children are bonded to their caregivers, peers and schools in safe and supportive ways, they are less likely to initiate substance use. In addition, guest speakers provide targeted education in youth substance use trends.
The program is facilitated by North Reading Youth Services Director Jennifer Ford and local parent Jason Slattery who both have been trained in the curriculum and have also led previous workshops.
To register for the introductory webinar or any of the program workshops, visit www.northreadingma.gov/CIT and click on “events” in the left-hand column. Please contact Christie Perrone at northreadingCIT@gmail.com, or call 978-357-5054 with any questions.