Local News

Free Strengthening Families Series to Begin

Jan 31, 2015

Navigating the pre-teen years can be a challenge for any parent. Parents are often faced with busy schedules and numerous demands on their time. Increasing substance abuse and other behavior problems among teens can strain family relationships. Youth may be frustrated by academic or social setbacks. Living in a remote community means limited resources for help.

High-risk periods for drug use among youth frequently include periods during life transitions. Transitions from one grade to another, between elementary and middle school, or when a family experiences a divorce or re-marriage. Learning how to get along with a wider group of peers, new family members, or managing a number of new teachers can pose difficulties for youth whose effective communication and conflict resolution skills are still under construction.

The What’s Right? RRAD (Republic Reducing Alcohol and Drug use) Coalition and the Republic CATS after-school program are partnering together to provide a free series of workshops to help parents and kids successfully handle situations like these. Strengthening Families for Parents and Youth ages 10-14 features family discussions and games, a free home-cooked dinner, weekly door prizes, and youth activities to help them prepare for teen years and avoid problems with drugs and alcohol. Parents and caregivers will learn what youth ages 10-14 are like, how to solve problems with them, and ways to show love and support as well as strengthen family communication. Youth will learn how to handle frustration, resist peer pressure, and get along with others. Together, families will have fun completing activities and playing games, solving problems together, and discussing what makes each family strong. Free childcare for younger siblings is available with advance registration.

Strengthening Families will begin Tuesday, February 17th at 5:30 p.m. at the Republic Elementary School multipurpose room. The series continues on Tuesdays, February 24^th March 3^rd, March 10^th, March 17^th, March 24^th and March 31^st. Each family who completes the series will receive a free gift, as well as have weekly opportunities for door prizes! Dinner is from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. followed by activities until 8:00 p.m.

Advance registration for the free 7 week series Strengthening Families for Parents and Youth ages 10-14 is requested to assist with meal and childcare planning. Participants do not have to be Republic School District students/families. Anyone with children ages 10-14 is welcome to participate! Reservations can be made by the RRAD Coalition Coordinator, Janine Koffel, at (509) 207-9174.

Home-cooked meals are provided by RRAD Coalition community collaborators, Church of the Reedemer Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church of Republic, and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Republic Church of the Nazarene, Republic Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the Trinity Lutheran Church. Their contribution of dinner each week is essential for the success of the parenting series.

Strengthening Families for Parents and Youth, as well as ongoing community education efforts about underage drinking and drug abuse are just a few of the strategies used by the RRAD Coalition to promote a safe community where youth are encouraged and empowered to choose to be alcohol and drug-free to pursue their dreams and realize their full potential. The RRAD Coalition is funded by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Behavioral Health and Recovery under the Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative. Anyone interested in becoming involved in the work of the coalition is invited to attend the monthly coalition meetings held the first Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. at the Republic Presbyterian Church, 605 S. Keller Street or to contact Janine Koffel, Coalition Coordinator, at (509) 207-9174. Updates on coalition activities are also provided on the What’s Right? RRAD Coalition Facebook page.