Neighbor News
North Reading CIT Offers Free Parenting Workshops
Workshops aim at reducing substance use and strengthening bonds
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 series topics include:
March 30th Workshop 1: Family Fundamentals and Values
Find out what's happening in North Readingfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
April 6th Workshop 2: Facing Family Conflicts and Risk Management
April 13th Workshop 3: Setting Your Family Up for Success
Find out what's happening in North Readingfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
April 27th Workshop 4: 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 at the Flint Memorial Library Activity room and will include dinner and a gift card raffle to all participants each week thanks to a grant from Winchester Hospital.
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. 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 have been trained in the curriculum as well as led previous workshops.
New this session, interested participants are also invited to attend a one hour introductory online webinar on March 9th to learn more about the program.
To register for the introductory webinar or any of the program workshops, please visit www.northreadingma.gov/CIT and click on EVENTS. Please contact Christie Perrone at northreadingCIT@gmail.com, or call (978)357-5054 with any questions.
