Following Up
On Tuesday, November 14, 2017, we partnered with the Perkiomen Valley School District to talk with parents about having meaningful conversations with young children in an effort to deter substance use.
Thank you for being a part of the Conversation, Perkiomen Valley!
And thank you to the Montgomery County Office of Drug & Alcohol for supporting our programs!
“It was so helpful to hear from parents who have experienced addiction with their children.”
“Tonight was fantastic! We need more youth in recovery to share their stories.”
“Really appreciate the work that’s being done to raise awareness. Thank you! Please give us more programs like this in PV at all levels to help our kids fighting this horrible epidemic.”
Our Panelists
Thank you to our wonderful Panelists for providing their expertise and insight:
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Stacia Hang – Schwenksville Elementary School Counselor and Counseling Department Chairperson
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Chris Jackson – Perkiomen Valley Middle School East Counselor
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Deb Donahue – SAP Coordinator, Creative Health Services Inc.
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Michael D. – Perkiomen Valley School District Alumnus
Moderator
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Kim Porter, CFRS – Executive Director, Be a Part of the Conversation
Helpful Information
Now is the time to talk with our kids about drugs and alcohol.
Talking About Drugs with Kids in Elementary School (ages 6-10)
“Addiction is Real”
6 Parenting Practices: Help Reduce the Chances Your Child will Develop a Drug or Alcohol Problem
Partnership for Drugfree Kids
Conversation Tips for Every Age
Partnership for Drug-free Kids
Talk! They Hear You.
Underage drinking prevention.
Marijuana Talk Kit
Partnership for Drugfree Kids
Family Dinner Conversation Starters
Making Yourself Ready to Start the Conversation: Guidelines for Parents & Guardians
Teaching Your Child Emotional Agility
by KJ Dell’Antonia, New York Times; October 4, 2016
Help Your Child to be Tobacco Free
from “Right Decisions Right Now”
How to Talk to a Child About a Parent’s Addiction
by David Sack, MD for The Huffington Post
How to Talk to Your Kids About Family Addiction
by Jaimie Seaton for the Washington Post
Dos and Don’ts: Talking to your Kids About Drugs
Drug Enforcement Agency
A reality check on kids and substance use.
Bullied Teens More Likely to Smoke, Drink and Use Drugs
Reuters Health
Teen Drug Facts
Turnbridge
Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
As Opioid Crisis Alarms Communities, Drug Education Now Starts in Kindergarten
National Education Association
Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Top 8 Reasons why Teens Try Alcohol and Drugs
from “How to Keep Your Teenager Out of Trouble and What to Do if You Can’t,” by Dr. Neil I. Bernstein
This Study Could Unlock the Mysteries of Teen Brain Development
By Nora D. Volkow and George F. Koob; January 5, 2017
Underage Drinking
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
What to Look For: Here are some of the warning signs.
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD)
Signs of Drug Use in a Teen Bedroom
Raleigh, NC NBC 11 News
↓View the Powerpoint that was presented.↓
Use the arrows to scroll through the slideshow.
Handouts
Special Thanks!
Executive Director at Be a Part of the Conversation
Kim Porter, CFRS is the Executive Director of Be a Part of the Conversation. Having served as the Community Program Coordinator and Parent Liaison for Be a Part of the Conversation since its inception in 2011, she was named Executive Director of this vital organization in 2014.
Kim's Certified Family Recovery Specialist (CFRS) credential was created for adults who have been directly impacted by another person's substance use disorder. The CFRS shares their lived experience with other families to provide recovery support services. A CFRS is trained to help families move into and through the recovery process.
Kim is the parent of someone in long term recovery, which led her to explore the impact of addiction on individuals and their families.
Kim earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism at West Virginia University, with a concentration in public relations. She was proud to serve as WVU's student body president in 1982-83. Kim started out as an advertising account executive at a newspaper, then learned the graphic design trade while working with her mentor and friend, Chuck Moran, at his design firm in Charlottesville, Virginia. Kim worked as a graphic designer and marketing consultant since 1985.
Kim currently lives in Newtown Square, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. She previously lived in Horsham Township for 22 years, where she and Michael raised two wonderful children who support this amazing journey she has embarked upon.
Kim's Certified Family Recovery Specialist (CFRS) credential was created for adults who have been directly impacted by another person's substance use disorder. The CFRS shares their lived experience with other families to provide recovery support services. A CFRS is trained to help families move into and through the recovery process.
Kim is the parent of someone in long term recovery, which led her to explore the impact of addiction on individuals and their families.
Kim earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism at West Virginia University, with a concentration in public relations. She was proud to serve as WVU's student body president in 1982-83. Kim started out as an advertising account executive at a newspaper, then learned the graphic design trade while working with her mentor and friend, Chuck Moran, at his design firm in Charlottesville, Virginia. Kim worked as a graphic designer and marketing consultant since 1985.
Kim currently lives in Newtown Square, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. She previously lived in Horsham Township for 22 years, where she and Michael raised two wonderful children who support this amazing journey she has embarked upon.
Latest posts by Kim Porter, CFRS (see all)
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