Strengthening Families Program

The Strengthening Families Program is an evidence-based family skills training program that helps pre-teens ages 10-14 learn how to better communicate with their parents and teachers as well as giving them the tools they need to develop healthy coping skills to help discourage aggressive and disruptive behavioral issues at home and in school. The average participant in this program has a 2-3 year delay on the initiation of substance use.

One participating family stated that the Strengthening Families Program was more beneficial to them than conventional therapy and intensive in-home. Teens and parents are separated for the first half of the program to learn different skills, the second half of the class brings parents and teens back together to practice the skills they have learned in their lessons.

Northwestern Community Services Board Prevention and Wellness Services is facilitating this FREE 7-week program starting on Monday, September 19th. The program will be held at Laurel Ridge Community College in Middletown, VA from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. A light dinner will be served prior to the start of the program each week. Incentives for participating in the Strengthening Families Program are valued at over $100.00 in gas and grocery vouchers.

To learn more or to register for the Strengthening Family Program please visit: nwcsbwellness.com/strengthening-families, email youthresourcealliance@gmail.com, or call Mandy McCarthy at 540-683-1769.

About the Prevention Department at Northwestern Community Services Board

The Prevention Department at Northwestern Community Services Board has a mission to prevent substance misuse and suicide and to promote mental wellness in the Lord Fairfax Planning District. The Department utilizes evidence-based programs, practices, and strategies targeting concerns identified by needs assessments and using the Strategic Prevention Framework as its guide. An emphasis is placed on community collaboration and mobilization, enabling groups to be brought together for the benefit of the community. Find more information at www.nwcsbwellness.com.