Central VT New Directions Coalition

staying connected

Tonight- Tuesday February 21, 2012

STAYING CONNECTED:

PARENTING YOUR ADOLESCENTS
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Main Street Middle School
6:30 – 8:00 pm

Our kids are growing up and becoming more independent very quickly. They may be pushing us away one minute and need us there the next. Their moods are changing.
Their lives are busy. Their friends are new. It's hard to keep up with them.
How do we parent these adolescents?

Debby Haskins returns to MSMS to help parents develop the skills that will make life easier. Learn more about the teenage brain, get more comfortable talking about issues, set behavioral expectations, and follow through with consequences.

Presenter, Debby Haskins has a Master's in Counseling and is a LADC (licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor) with over 23 years of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug prevention and treatment experience. Formerly the Executive Director of the Association of Student Assistance Professionals of Vermont (ASAP of VT) Debby managed 92 Student Assistance Programs. She currently consults with schools, provides ATOD trainings, and teaches several online courses. Her passion is working with adolescents and their families in breaking the cycle of addiction and has a private practice in Waterbury (244-7700 and 456-1479.) Her years of experience as a coach, parent, and teacher guarantee an interesting, informative, lively, and experiential presentation.

upcoming parenting classes

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A Dynamic & Inspiring Parenting On Track™ Adolescent Class

presented by: Vicki Hoefle

Dates: Thursdays - March 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th & April 5th & 12th
*Snow date is April 19th if needed.
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: Main Street Middle School 170 Main Street -Montpelier, VT
Cost: $129 Individual/ $199 Couple

Registration Information:
Online at: http://www.parentingontrack.com/ services/group-classes
Or call: 802-343-9966

Co-sponsored by MSMS and Central VT New Directions Coalition, www.cvndc.org

Parents of Adolescent Children have concerns about:
* Sibling Rivalry * Drugs & Alcohol
* Respect * Sex
* Money * Bullying
* Homework * Technology

Learn how to enhance the relationship with your children, and help them live as capable, cooperative, responsible, respectful, and resilient young adults!
The program is popular because of its common sense approach, interactive format, and high rate of success in enhancing and enriching the family atmosphere.
Areas discussed include:

Understanding the Dynamics between Parents and Teens
Encouraging and Supporting Independence
Teaching Problem Solving Skills
Creating Personal Roadmaps for Success
Balancing Privileges and Responsibilities
Implementing Family Meetings

binge drinking in the news

CDC Releases Monthly Vital Signs Report: Binge drinking is bigger problem than previously thought!

The CDC's Vital Signs report, which launched in 2010, addresses a single, important public health topic each month. The first issue of 2012's Vital Signs includes the latest findings on binge drinking from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) which included combined landline and cellular telephone respondents.
Some of the key messages in the binge drinking issue of Vital Signs include:
• Thirty-eight million U.S. adults binge drink an average of 4 times a month.
• On average, the largest number of drinks consumed is 8.
• While more 18–34 year olds binge drink, those aged 65 years and older binge drink more often than other age group—an average of five to six times a month.
• Although more people with incomes above $75,000 binge drink, those with incomes less than $25,000 drink more when they binge. The largest number of drinks consumed averages between 8 and 9 in the lower income group.
• Adult binge drinking is most common in the Midwest, New England, the District of Columbia, Alaska and Hawaii. However binge drinkers in the southern Mountain states (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah), the Midwest, and some states where binge drinking is less common - including Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina - consume more drinks when they binge.
• Binge drinking is a costly and deadly behavior. Drinking too much, including binge drinking, is responsible for 80,000 deaths each year and cost the U.S. $223.5 billion in 2006, or $1.90 a drink. These costs include health care expenses, crime and lost productivity.
• Evidence-based strategies, such as those recommended by the Community Guide can help prevent binge drinking.
Click Here for CDC Fact Sheet on Binge Drinking

ClickHere for Report: Binge Drinking Prevalence, Frequency, and Intensity AmongAdults — UnitedStates, 2010

retailer of the month

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Poster celebrating Meadow Mart and Terry Shannon holding healthy food signs

CVNDC and Community Connections have been working on the Vermont Department of Health's Fit and Healthy/Healthy Retailer campaign. All across the state of Vermont, owners and managers of independently owned grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations are partnering with community groups to offer healthier options that can reduce the health risks associated with tobacco, alcohol use and obesity. The campaign seeks to celebrate retailers who are able and ready to make small changes which may lead to big impacts on our community's ability to lead healthier lives. In January we celebrated Meadow Mart in Montpelier. Meadow Mart already offers healthy food choices to customers and there is minimal advertising for alcohol and tobacco products around the store, which is so important because our youth are so easily influenced by advertising around these products.

Look for our upcoming February Retailer of the Month article in The World newspaper which features Dudley's in East Montpelier. Thanks to The World newspaper for printing these articles.