| Project FOCUS |
Families Overcoming Crisis and Understanding Strengths |
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| See below for Fall/Winter 2011-2012 Camp Information and Registration |
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Project Focus is a FREE support program for parents, caring adults, and youth concerned about a family member's use of alcohol or other drugs. Separate youth and adult groups learn skills to reduce anxiety, ways to care for oneself, and are educated about how addiction works.
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The Goals |
CARE's Youth Support Camp is to help children/youth understand the ramifications of family alcohol and other drug abuse; recognize that they did not cause it and cannot cure it; give them a safe place to learn and be supported and to assist in the development of resiliency factors that will help them cope with living in a high stress family.
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| Population Served |
| Children/youth identified as living in alcohol and/or other drug abusing environments. School counselors, human service agencies and church communities. |
| Parents and caregivers are also welcomed to participate in the parent component which serves those parents/caregivers that recognize the problems that alcohol and other drugs cause in their families. |
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| What will children/youth learn? |
- About alcohol and other drugs
- About substance use disorder(SUD)
- To express feelings appropriately
- That everyone is special
- To celebrate who they are
- How to make safe decisions
- How to have a safe and fun life without using drugs
- To live by the 7C’s
SEVEN C’s
I didn’t CAUSE it
I can’t CURE it
I can’t CONTROL it, but
I can help take CARE of myself
by COMMUNICATING feelings
making good CHOICES
and CELEBRATING MYSELF!
- To identify safe people in our lives
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| What will parent/caregivers learn? |
| The “optional” parent/caregiver program covers these same topics, along with skills for parenting, discipline, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. All families can benefit from finding new way to strengthen family relationships. |
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| Cost - FREE |
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| Important Messages for Children/youth of Alcoholics/Addicts |
- It's not your fault
- Your ______really do love you even though they might not always be able to show it.
- You can’t make your ________ stop using alcohol and /or drugs.
- You have been hurt by the drinking/other drug use/stressor.
- You deserve help just for yourself.
- Alcoholics/addicts can and do recover, but even if they don’t, kids can feel better.
- You are NOT alone. There are lots of kids like you and safe people and places to go for help.
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| Major Areas of Concern for the Children/Youth |
- Worry about the health of the addict.
- Being upset and angry because of the unpredictable and inconsistent behavior of the parent/guardian and the lack of support from the others.
- Being scared and upset by the violence or the possibility of violence in their family.
- Being upset by the parent’s inappropriate behavior, which can include criminal or sexual behavior.
- Being disappointed by broken promises and by feeling unloved.
- Feeling responsible for the adult’s drinking/drug problem.
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| How the Children/ Youth May Feel |
- Ashamed
- Different
- Alone
- Worthless
- Inadequete (I’m not good enough)
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