COASA (Children of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse), RFK Community Alliance South Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Session Description: The goal of this presentation is to increase participants’ knowledge of the importance of and skills to provide services for the whole family. Research indicates that by serving the whole family, we can break the cycle of substance use disorders and prevent children’s future addiction, while helping parents stabilize in their own recovery. We will discuss and share essential components of effective, trauma-informed programs (including topics and sample activities). Over time many teams participated in the development of numerous prevention curriculums, culminating in Celebrating Families!™(CF!), ¡Celebrando Familias!, and Wellbriety Celebrating Families!™. These programs are evidence-based and trauma-informed, focused on building families’ healthy living skills—physically and mentally. Evaluation outcomes from multiple sites show significant positive results in learning and applying parenting skills and improved family dynamics with significantly increased family reunification rates with decreased time to reunification for families involved in Family Treatment Courts. Celebrating Families!™ has been provided by community-based organizations, schools, churches, treatment centers, as well as courts and social services deptartments.
Learning Objectives:
After this activity participants should be able to
At conclusion of workshop participants will be able to describe ways to provide a welcoming, trauma-informed, environment for families.
At conclusion of workshop participants will be able to list best practices for providing support groups for families dealing with SUD.
At conclusion of workshop participants will be able to explain how to support positive, intergenerational family healing.