Family Strengths Network
Nurses speak for about half an hour, followed by time for questions and discussions. Joyce is the director of the Labor and Delivery unit at LAMC.
WHO is a national, video-based program that teaches children how to protect themselves in dangerous situations. FSN presents the program to every first, third, fifth, and eighth grader in Los Alamos county. Each group has age appropriate lessons. All students receive information about strangers, hurts, secrets, and inappropriate touching. Teens also receive information about peer pressure, sexual harassment, depression and suicide, date rape, domestic violence, and emotional abuse.
Thanks to Jennifer Bartram for presenting the program to eighth graders, and Beth Breshears for coordinating that grade. Thanks to Diane Young for coordinating the elementary grades; we are still seeking volunteer presenters for our elementary school program. This program is funded by the Northern New Mexico Health Group Grant.
Parenting is hard work in the best of circumstances and getting through the pain of divorce is a tough process even when children are not involved. Tackling the two tasks together presents unique difficulties which can seem overwhelming. This interactive presentation will look at some of the most thorny issues divorced parents face and offer constructive suggestions for staying sane and effective! This workshop is underwitten by JJAB.
How does your elementary school child learn? When you know if your child is an auditory, visual, or kinesthetic learner, you can help her/him learn more effectively. In this workshop, we will cover the basics of the three learning styles, how to identify your child's learning style, and tips on how to work with each style. This workshop is designed to help you:
Janine received her Masters degree in Educational Psychology from Chapman University and has a strong background in assessment, counseling, and tutoring of children with typical and special needs.
You don't have to be in crisis to wish for better communication between teens and parents. Most families run into some conflict and confusion as roles and responsibilities change. This program is for parents and teens to take together. Join us if your family wants tips on handling changing needs and challenges. In this class we will work to:
Diane Toups is an LAHS Counselor. Jennifer Bartram is a popular FSN instructor. Many thanks to JJAB and DWI Planning Council for sponsoring Family Solutions.
The following comments are from evaluations of last year's Family Solution classes:
I really liked:
The relevance to the local community. - Parent
The factual information - it was right on target. - Parent
Reality-based problem solving. - Parent
Georgina and Jenn were really interesting. - Teen
You can express your feelings without your parents flippin'
out. - Teen
I learned:
How to communicate better. - Teen
To talk more to my family. - Teen
About fair fighting. - Parent
Alternate ways of getting discussions going. - Parent
Before the class, I showed my anger in ways like slamming
doors. Now, I've been using new ideas to get stress off my
back. - Teen
[It] has helped us communicate more effectively and develop a
more respectful relationship with our son. - Parent
Girls Circle empowers girls ages 14-19 by providing them with a supportive environment to focus on improving decision-making skills, self-esteem, and many other issues that impact the life of an adolescent girl. The sessions foster trust, respect, and self-confidence. The goal of the Circle is to enhance girls' abilities to take full advantage of their talents, academic interests, and potential for healthy relationships. Enrollment in Girls Circle is free to eligible participants, but sessions are limited and enrollment is based on availability. This program is funded by the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board.
What past participants have said about Girls Circle:
How can teen boys make their dreams a reality? Studies have shown that middle school students have big dreams and aspirations, while high school students no longer believe that their goals are attainable. This program supports young men aged 14-18 who are on the path to being productive, successful adults, and helps youth on the wrong path make better decisions. It helps them identify what they have going for them, design a personal blueprint for success, set attainable short and long term goals with realistic time-lines, and identify people and resources that will help them accomplish their goals.
The instructor, Scott Johnson, is a teacher at Barranca Elementary and a speaker at many educator workshops. Refreshments will be served, and the only cost is community service. Six of the seven sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 am, beginning July 10; the final session is September 6, 3:30-5:30 pm. This is an L.A. Juvenile Justice Advisory Board funded program. For more information about this innovative program, please contact Family Strengths Network at 662-4515.
Past participants have commented:
A healthy relationship with your teen: no this is not an oxymoron, but a wonderful possibility! This session will review the need to be involved in your teenager's life while preparing him/her to leave your nest. We will discuss communication techniques, boundary-setting, and activities to improve the quality of your relationship. Please join us for one or both halves of a two-part discussion about this challenging, yet exciting stage of life!
Family Strengths Network understands we all can use support negotiating our children's transition into adulthood. Becoming a teen is an exhilarating yet difficult time, and parenting teens can be equally challenging. Do you feel you need to learn a new language to talk with your teen? Do you wonder what is happening in your teen's life, but can't seem to get him/her to open up? Do you wish you could talk to your teen about tough issues such as drugs, sexuality and violence, but don't know where to start? Are you concerned about your teen's self-esteem?
Our teens are facing serious issues these days and you as a parent are an important factor in helping them cope. Our upcoming class, Active Parenting of Teens, offers techniques for getting past communication blockers so you can talk to your teen with comfort, respect and authority.
Jennifer Bartram, who works with teens in the middle school and high school, will discuss teens' subconscious motivations in decision-making and will teach methods for guiding their choices. Become savvy to the stages of drug abuse. Learn how to find relief from frustrating power struggles and meet the challenge of respectfully disciplining your teen. Find out how you can help your teen build a healthy self-image. Share with and learn from other parents going through similar issues. During the last two sessions, your teen will be included in the classes.
Are you tired of power struggles with your kids? Do you long to encourage responsibility without nagging or lecturing? This course for parents of children ages 5-12 will give you tools for raising cooperative kids, building courage and character, handling discipline issues, and avoiding power struggles while raising confident children. We will learn communication techniques, appropriate discipline methods, how to guide children in making decisions, how to prevent substance abuse, how to teach children responsibility, how to build children's self-esteem, how to redirect misbehavior and avoid power struggles, and how to care for yourself.
How can you teach children to take responsibility for themselves? This discussion will cover this and many other topics related to getting your children to not only help with chores but to want to be a contributing member of the family. You will learn how to choose natural and logical consequences for behavior; you will be able to identify which problems are yours and which are you children's, and you will learn how to limit criticism and engender empowerment in your children. Please bring your concerns and a brown bag lunch, and go home with a few new ideas.
Grandparents who aren't close to their grandchildren geographically must be creative in finding other ways to be close. This class will explore the needs of grandparents, and grandchildren of different ages. We will learn ways to keep track of and celebrate birthdays and other special occasions, such as school events, field trips and performances. We will discuss rules for visits, including tips for making visits pleasant and rewarding for all concerned. Finally, we will talk about supporting our grandchildren and their parents without interfering or overstepping boundaries.
The first few years of a child's life are often the most exciting, and the most challenging. In this class, we will discuss developmental stages - emotional and social development, encouraging positive behavior - how much cooperation to expect from babies, toddlers and preschoolers, family relationships - including siblings and extended family, getting through unexpected events, dealing with daily routines, crying, jealousy, fears, tantrums, bedtime, mealtime, and aggression, and taking care of ourselves as parents.
Instructor Juanita Jabbanema has a Doctorate in Teacher Education and Vocational Education as well as 32 years of experience. Prior to her retirement four years ago, she was director of special education for Chama Valley and Dulce Independent Schools. Since her retirement, she has been teaching early childhood development, culinary arts, and fashion design at Los Alamos High School.
Family Strengths Network understands that divorce is a reality of life. You have negotiated the legal storms, now you must take steps to create a partnership in parenting, even in the face of anger and pain. We are offering this course to help guide you. This course will give you practical skills for creating a two-household family. You will learn how to remain child-focused, take control of conflict, and negotiate child-friendly agreements, all while keeping your child out of the middle and dealing with his/her emotions and behaviors that come during this change.
Our instructor, Leshauna Hedtke, has a master's degree in counseling with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy. In her private practice, she has provided counseling to individuals, couples and families in crisis, including young children.
It is ideal for both parents to attend this class, but improvements can be made even if only one parent attends. If you have been divorced for a while, this course will provide valuable information to deal with persistent problems. This course will meet court requirements.
What exactly is bullying? Who are the bullies and who are the victims? What is the difference between normal peer interactions and bullying? How can you help your child develop a protective shield? Bullying is a significant problem in our society today, beginning as early as preschool. The best ways for parents to help their children cope with the problem is to understand as much about it as possible and to help their children develop skills and strategies that help prevent them from becoming a victim or a bully themselves. Feel free to bring your lunch.
This seven session course covers the following topics: understanding yourself and your child, understanding your beliefs and feelings, encouraging your child and yourself, listening and talking to your child to get the results you desire, helping your children learn to cooperate with you and others and discipline that makes sense-choosing your approach.
Learn about emotional and social development, practical discipline and communication strategies, and appropriate parental expectations. We will cover: understanding your child's behavior - what is and what is not misbehavior; listening and talking to young children; helping children communicate their feelings; communicating through touch; helping children learn to cooperate; how much cooperation to expect from babies, toddlers and preschoolers; and dealing with crying jealousy, fears, tantrums, bedtime, mealtime, and aggression.
STEP offers realistic and practical approaches to meeting the challenges of raising children. Through talks, videos, discussion, and role playing we will cover: understanding your child's behavior, roles and responsibilities; methods for listening and talking to your child; effective techniques for discipline; enjoyable ways to relate to your children; encouraging your child and yourself; and methods for helping children cooperate. This class includes parents' favorite lesson, "Caring for Yourself!"
This program is designed to help parents of 4th-8th grade students. Topics will include the development of healthy beliefs, communicating expectations and setting clear standards while strengthening family bonds and relationships.
The program is designed to build on family strengths and helps parents develop a strong support network.
This is a fun, interactive workshop with lots of practical advice on budgeting your time, your money, and your energy. Learn to evaluate family traditions - do they fit your family's needs and style? Get help organizing your holiday calendar. Hear tips on holiday entertaining, including how to maintain your weight and your equilibrium. Discuss ideas involving children, and easy decorating ideas. Jean makes this workshop a real treat with gifts for everyone and special door prizes.