Thursday, March 26, 2015

Update & Resources from the counselor

Greetings, Ventana Vista Families!

Can you believe we are in the homestretch?! We are sailing through to the end of the school year. I wanted to take a moment to share some information that might be helpful.

1)    Parenting Resources: If you are not familiar with Love & Logic positive parenting solutions, you may want to check out this incredible resource. Recently I attended a Love & Logic training in Phoenix and was ecstatic to learn more about these amazing techniques (they have incredible resources for teachers too!) I currently receive weekly emails with quick tips for parents and would be happy to forward these on if you think they might be helpful (the copyright does permit forwarding the “quick tip” email).  Shoot me an email at kfaber@cfsd16.org if you would like me to add you to my forwarding list. If you are interested to learn more, check out any of their books by Jay & Funk or visit http://www.loveandlogic.com/. Also, the Parenting Connection offers 6 week parenting classes including Parenting Children with Attention Disorders, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, & (Effective) Parenting School Age & Teenagers.

2) Divorce Resource: Divorce Recovery of Tucson is an amazing resource for families navigating through the changes of divorce/separation. It’s a local Tucson based nonprofit support program created and overseen by a former professor at the University of Arizona Department of Family Studies. The program is run by volunteers, many of whom have benefited from participating in the various programs themselves. The organization offers everything from support groups for children & parents (new cycle beginning in April!) to education classes.

3)   Mental Health Resources: NAMI of Southern Arizona is a great resource for family members & friends who have a loved one with mental illness. They also offer a variety of support groups and trainings for both children and parents of children suspected of suffering from ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, ODD, bipolar, eating disorders, amongst many others. I believe a new cycle of spring groups/classes begins soon, so contact the coordinator Judi Maikoff if interested or with any questions at jmaikoff@namisa.org. Visit http://www.namisa.org/ to learn more.

4)   Non-traditional family support:  KARE (Kinship, Adoption Resource and Education) is a wonderful community resource providing support, advocacy, and training for grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, raising and/or adopting grandchildren or children in their extended family, or those who are adopted parents or who are looking to adopt. Their mission is: “To provide and enhance safety, stability, and wellbeing of kinship and adoptive families through education, advocacy and community collaborations.” To learn more check out their online brochure at http://www.susd12.org/sites/default/files/KARE%20Brochure.pdf


I am a strong advocate for self-care and counseling support both for children and their families when appropriate, especially when navigating through times of change or major transitions. I have complied a growing list of outside counselors and community resources that families in the district have visited and found helpful, so if you are ever looking for a place to start or to get some ideas, please let me know- I’d be happy to help.


Phone: 209-8005 Email: kfaber@cfsd16.org