Guiding Good Choices is a program for parents of children grades
four through eight.
TURNER – Parents will learn how to strengthen their bonds with their children and reduce the risk that their children will use drugs in a workshop series, Guiding Good Choices, during March.
The five-week program will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. starting Thursday, March 11, at Tripp Middle School Media Center. Sponsored by Healthy Androscoggin, the program is open to all parents in Androscoggin County.
Guiding Good Choices is an interactive program for all parents of children grades four through eight. Parents will learn specific strategies to help their children avoid drug use and other adolescent problem behaviors and develop into healthy adults.
Parents will learn to set clear family guidelines on drugs, as well as learn and practice skills to strengthen family bonds, help their children develop healthy behaviors and increase children’s involvement in the family.
The program was developed at the University of Washington. Researchers have found that when children are bonded to their parents, school and non-drug-using peers, they are less likely to get involved in drug use or other behavior problems.
Studies of Guiding Good Choices have shown that the program is effective in strengthening parent-child bonds and preventing teenagers from starting to use alcohol and other drugs.
Facilitators will be Vicky Wiegman and Kim Sprague. Wiegman is the substance abuse coordinator/counselor for the Lewiston School Department. Sprague is the prevention educator for Advocates for Children. Both are interested in bringing the program to the area.
There is no cost to parents attending the workshops. Those who attend four out of five workshops will receive a gift certificate to Hannaford. Other dates are March 18 and 25 and April 1 and 8. Child care can be provided if needed. Funding is provided by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse as part of the One ME initiative.
For more information or to register, contact Healthy Androscoggin at 795-5990.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.