Families That Care: Guiding Good ChoicesTM (formerly known as Preparing for the Drug Free Years®) is a proven-effective substance abuse prevention program that gives parents the skills they need to ensure the future well being of their children. It draws on extensive research that demonstrates the critical importance of family bonding in reducing youth participation in problem behaviors.

In just five 2-hour classes, Guiding Good Choices can help parents reduce or prevent substance abuse by learning effective prevention skills. Guided by workbook- and video-based discussions, class participants learn how to reduce risk, how to develop healthy beliefs and clear behavior standards, how to gain refusal skills, how to manage family conflict, and how to strengthen family bonds.

Results:
In clinical studies*, Families That Care: Guiding Good ChoicesTM has been shown to:

• reduce alcohol and marijuana use by up to 40.6%
  
• reduce progression to more serious substance abuse by 54%
• increase the likelihood that nonusers will remain drug-free by 26%
• At 2- or 3 1/2-year follow-up, compared to a control group of children whose parents did not participate in the program. The original studies were published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

Who developed the program?
It was developed by J. David Hawkins, Ph.D., and Richard F. Catalano, Ph.D., professors of social work and directors of the Social Development Research Group at the University of Washington. Dr. Hawkins and Dr. Catalano, pioneers in the field of prevention research and developers of the Social Development Theory, are internationally known for their groundbreaking work in the area of risk and protective factors.

Program Overview:
Session 1
Getting Started: How to Prevent Drug Use in Your Family

• Who uses what and when do they start?
  
• Discussing what puts a child at risk and what families can do to reduce that risk.Session 2
• Setting Guidelines: How to Develop Healthy Beliefs and Clear Standards
• How parents can clarify guidelines on alcohol and other drugs
• How parents can communicate expectations at a family meeting

Session 3
Avoiding Trouble: How to Say No to Drugs and Other Problem Behavior

• Learning five steps to help children resist peer pressure
  
• Using family meetings to practice the skills

Session 4
Managing Conflict: How to Control and Express Anger Constructively

• Exercises and role playing to control and express anger
• Using family meetings to reduce conflict

Session 5
Involving Everyone: How to Strengthen Family Bonds

• Encouraging children to take part in family decision making
• Sharing family duties and responsibilities

At each session, participants will receive:

• Summaries of information presented at the session
• A workbook that includes notes pages for key points
• Worksheets to use during the session
• Suggested agendas for holding family meetings
• Ideas for family activities that support the session objectives

How much does the class cost?
As long as grant funding lasts, The Regional Drug-Free Alliance offers the program at no charge. There are also opportunities to train company, church or community organization staff and volunteers to teach their own classes.

How can I schedule a class?
Ask for the parent education coordinator at The Regional Drug-Free Alliance by calling 804-377-3125 or send an e-mail to: rdfa.2007@drugfreealliance.org. Do it today.