Prevention/Community Education Services
What are Prevention and Community Education Services?
Prevention programming and related activities provide education,
support and skill-building opportunities for Hanover County youth
and their families. The goal of community education and prevention
services is to “keep healthy people healthy.”
Programs promote resiliency and well being through parent education,
after-school programming for youth, and community development.
The Community Education Team works together to coordinate and implement
programs that promote healthy, drug-free families and communities.
Skilled professional staff provide training, consultation, public
speaking, and group services to individuals, agencies, schools, churches,
businesses, and community groups.
Community Education Programs
For more information, or to register, call (804) 365-4238.
 Here,
Now, & Down the Road: Tips for Loving Parents
This is a flexible workshop series that best fits those caring
for children ages 3-8. It is designed to give parents an opportunity
to learn new ways to help their children build positive social and
emotional skills. Through activities and discussion founded
in a strengths-based approach, parents obtain information about
risk and protective factors and explore ways to recognize and build
resiliency in their children. Topics include: calming
down, caring relationships, clear norms, creativity, feelings, high
expectations, listening, meaningful involvement, problem solving,
and resiliency.
Families and Schools Together (FAST)
The FAST program serves children who attend Henry Clay and Gandy
Elementary Schools and their families. The program meets weekly
for eight weeks followed by monthly meetings called FAST Works.
Activities include a family dinner, family communication games,
separate parent and children’s group, and one-on-one parent
child interaction. A collaborative team coordinates the FAST
program.
Family Matters
Family Matters is a four-hour parent education seminar to assist
parents who have petitioned the courts regarding custody, visitation,
or child support. The class offers parents information concerning
how conflict affects children. Specific topics include the
effect that loyalty conflicts have upon children, especially carrying
messages, money issues, quizzing children, and putting down the
other parent. In addition to discussion, participants obtain
manuals and handouts at the seminar that provide highlight strategies,
general parenting information and community resources.
Guiding Good Choices: Families that Care
This five-week workshop series provides those caring for 9-14
year olds the opportunity to learn and talk with others about specific
strategies which help kids make healthy decisions and avoid risky
behavior. Through activities, discussion, and video, group members
will explore: strengthening family bonds, setting clear family guidelines,
helping kids develop healthy behaviors, and increasing their involvement
in the family.
Staying Connected with Your Teen
Research shows that parents of teens can have a strong positive
influence in ensuring that their children develop into healthy adults.
Parents of teens ages 12 – 17 will learn and practice skills
for improving communication and building stronger family bonds.
Skills addressed can help teens avoid drug use, violence,
and other problem behaviors. Topics covered include: teen
development, parenting styles, decision-making, involvement, family
policies, and refusal skills. This program is offered as a series
of 5 two-hour workshops.
Practical Parent Education
Whether for families together, parents alone, or a combination,
if there is an area in which you have been wanting to offer families
information and skills, perhaps we can work together to make this
happen. We offer individual workshops or a series of workshops
using the Practical Parent Education (PPE) curriculum. The
PPE curriculum is founded on the principles of family systems and
life span development, and its flexibility allows it to be easily
tailored to all stages of parenting for diverse populations and
varied settings. Examples of workshops include: effective
communication, building and nurturing self-esteem in children, raising
children of character, managing anger/resolving conflict peacefully,
healthy decision making, and countless others.
Parent Consultation
Child and adolescent development specialists are available to talk
with parents about their concerns related to raising children and
help parents gather ideas, resources, and skills they can use at
home.
Girl Power!
This after-school program is offered at Stonewall Jackson Middle
School for rising 6th grade girls. The 32 week curriculum
includes an emphasis on the following: education and skill
building lessons that help girls make healthy choices; community
service projects that focus on altruism and helping others; alternative
activities that help girls learn healthy behaviors, avoid risks,
and develop positive leisure activity interests; and assistance
for parents that promotes ongoing support for Girl Power! efforts
at home.
Increased Community Awareness Requires Everyone ( I CARE)
Coalition
The I CARE Youth Development Coalition is dedicated to helping
Hanover kids grow up alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free. This
is a grass-roots organization that welcomes anyone interested in
helping kids make positive choices. I CARE is a partnership
of Hanover parents, citizens, youth-serving organizations, and county
agencies dedicated to positive youth development. The coalition
has two primary goals:
- To increase parental awareness and community involvement in
preventing youth substance use and related problem behaviors;
- To engage youth in creating positive change in their community
and celebrate their efforts.
Additional information about raising drug-free kids can be found at
www.hanovericare.org |
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