Community invited to learn about raising teens in a digital age

In an effort to help teens build healthy relationships, the District 181 Foundation and Robert Crown Center are co-sponsoring several community conversation sessions in March and April.

“Raising Healthy Teens in a Digital Age” will focus on drug abuse prevention March 12 and 13 and on sex education April 9 and 10.

“Kids are bombarded with thousands of peer and media messages daily,” according to a Robert Crown spokesperson. “They need social-emotional skills and scientific information they can trust to inform their decision making.”

The drug abuse prevention program, set for 7 p.m. March 12 at Clarendon Hills Middle School and 9:30 a.m. March 13 at the Hinsdale Community House, will:

· Describe why youth are vulnerable decision makers due to brain development

· Identify what youth are seeing in regards to drug use, including current research, trends, and barriers to healthy choices

· Develop skills on how to reduce the risk of youth drug use through healthy relationships and conversations

· Create a conversation action plan on specific drug topics

· Identify drug abuse prevention resources

The sex education program, set for 7 p.m. April 9 at Clarendon Hills Middle School and 9:30 a.m. April 10 at the Hinsdale Community House, will:

· Describe why youth are vulnerable decision makers due to brain development

· Identify what youth are seeing in regards to sexuality, including current research, trends, and barriers to healthy choices

· Develop skills on how to manage a healthy relationship and conversations around sexuality.

· Create a conversation action plan on specific sexuality topics

· Identify resources for healthy conversations about sexuality

These programs are free and open to the entire community. Space is limited. You must register in advance. To reserve your spot, go to www.d181foundation.org