Community Impact Team Hosts FREE Parent Workshop Series

The North Reading Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition is pleased to offer its fourth Guiding Good Choices program in a five-part workshop 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.

The evidence-based Guiding Good Choices program was developed by Dr. J. David Hawkins and Dr. Richard F. Catalano 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. Drug-Free Communities Grant Director Amy Luckiewicz noted, “This program is in direct alignment with our mission to prevent youth substance use in North Reading. We love that this program is science-based and interactive, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer it free to any caregiver who wants to learn.”

The five-week program progresses lessons and themes over time. In addition, guest speakers provide targeted education in youth substance use trends. Luckiewicz added, “We understand that five weeks is quite a commitment, but we know that these families will bond and the benefit will far outweigh the time investment.”

The program is facilitated by North Reading parents who have been trained in the curriculum as well as led previous cohorts. Guiding Good Choices Program Coordinator Christie Perrone added, “We’re so lucky that we have dedicated community members who stepped up to become trained in this program. We hope that the peer teaching model facilitates learning even more.”

Registration for the five-part series is free and includes free dinner. The series will be offered from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at the Hood School on October 6, October 13, October 20, October 27, and November 3rd. Masks are required at the school. Participants are asked to commit to all five weeks.

To register, please click here. Please contact Christie Perrone at northreadingCIT@gmail.com, or call (978)357-5054 with any questions.