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.
