Congratulations 
We are excited and proud to announce that Sue Laney of FNC-GA is the latest recipient of the Ray Avant Excellence in Prevention Award. Sue has committed over 25 years of service to the field of prevention, working toward one goal: children growing up free of abuse and neglect, in healthy environments, allowing them to succeed. The award was presented at the 2010 Georgia School of Addiction Studies on Sept. 2 in Savannah, by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities' Office of Prevention Services and Programs. Congratulations, Sue!
The Family Nurturing Center congratulates Amber Payne for becoming an Internationally Certified Prevention Specialist! This level of credentialing indicates a very high level of knowledge and experience in the prevention field. Amber qualified for this certification by working thousands of hours over the past two years, driven by a passion and a purpose: to decrease child abuse and substance abuse in Georgia. | |
|
|
|
Greetings!
We are excited to publish the first edition of our quarterly newsletter. Check out the menu on the left to find tips, articles and updates that interest you! |
|
Prevention starts with Parenting
Red Ribbon Campaign 2010
Red Ribbon is the oldest and largest drug-prevention campaign in the country. During the last week in October, children sign pledge cards, wear red bracelets, march in parades, and most importantly, talk to their parents about the importance of living drug-free.
According to this year's Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, the numbers of teens using the following drugs increased: alcohol by 11 percent, Ecstasy by 67 percent and marijuana by 19 percent. The data also showed a growing belief in the acceptability and benefits of drug use.
This puts the burden on the parents. Twenty percent of parents surveyed said their child has already used drugs or alcohol "beyond an experimental level," as early as age ten. Communication is key. It is never too early to start talking to children about drugs.
FNC-GA partnered with Holy Cross Academy in Loganville, GA during Red Ribbon Week to encourage parents to start discussions with their preschoolers. Click to Read More >> |
 Annual Report
A Decade of Growth
FNC-GA is proud to present to you our first annual report.
Click here to view the pdf >>
Learn about our history, our 2010 accomplishments, program results and FNC-GA's strategic plan to stregthen Georgia's communities. |
 Upcoming Events
 Facilitator Trainings Training is a 4-part process:
Part 1: Intro to NPP
Part 2: Curriculum Training
Part 3: Facilitation Training
Part 4: Program Implementation/Evaluation
> NPP Philosophy (Part 1) Feb. 28 & March 28
> Nurturing Skills for Teen Parents (Part 2) March 1-3
> Nurturing God's Way (Part 2) March 29-31 > Parents & Adolescents (Part 2) April 11, 13-15 > Program Coordination Training (Part 3) Feb. 23 & April 1 > Basic Home Visitation Skills (Part 3) March 23-25 Training Location: Holiday Inn, Duluth GA 30096 For more information or to register for a training, contact Gina Lord.
Free Workshops > Turning Chaos to Confidence Feb. 17 at Ridgeland High School in Walker Co.
March 19 at Atlanta School for the Deaf in Dekalb Co.
> 12 Steps to Keeping Your Kids Drug-Free May 17 at Youth Middle School in Loganville, GA
> Live, Love, Laugh Apr. 16 at Atlanta School for the Deaf in Dekalb Co.
Apr. 19 at Elbert County DFCS
For more information or to sign up for a workshop, contact Kate Heier. |
| |
PARENTS & FAMILIES | |
|
Six Ways to Protect Your Child from Bullying By: Jenna Scott, Communications Coord., FNC-GA
A child that is bullied is like a house in a hurricane. If it has a strong foundation and support system, it will stay standing. A sense of self-worth and strong family ties will equip a child to endure rejection and personal attacks. "Almost 30 percent of youth in the United States (or over 5.7 million) are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target of bullying, or both," according to a recent national survey of middle and high school students. Whether your child is a bully, victim, or neither, these tips will give you a blueprint for how to construct a sense of confidence, build family bonds and prevent the damaging effects of negative peer relationships.
1 - Change the negative labels you give your children.
The way children are treated by family and peers will directly affect their personalities, behaviors and self-worth. In fact, both victims and bullies often have low self-esteem. Statements such as "You're so lazy," and "Why are you such a bully?" are negative parental perceptions. These labels will shape a child's identity, which will carry on into adulthood. If you focus on what your child does well and what makes you proud, they will own those qualities and develop positive self-worth.
Click to Read More >> |
|
How to Get Connected
Online Communities
Join the online conversations happening right now. Get free parenting tips on behavior management and effective discipline, and stay updated with the lastest parenting news. Click the links below to connect with us online!
Attend or host a free family workshop
Our workshops will give you simple tips and tools that will increase communication and appropriate behaviors in your family. View our current schedule or email Kate Heier to book a workshop in your area!
|
Family Dinner - It's More Significant than you Might Think By: Renata Hepner  Do you still remember the last time you had dinner with your family? We often miss our family dinner because we work late, the kids are playing games or we are tired from daily activities. But, skipping family dinner can be harmful to your family. Family dinner is not just another meal. Usually, it is the only time that families spend together through the week. Whether you sit down to the dinner table or enjoy a meal on tray tables and a movie in the family room, the essential thing is that you are together. Some interesting facts surround family dinner time. For example, teenagers that eat dinner with their family are less expected to get mixed up in drugs, alcohol or other unlawful activity. This is one thing most parents will find remarkable. Out of all the things you do in trying to keep your kids away from bad influences, the one thing that has the greatest power is still the occasion that we skip regularly. Why is family dinner so vital? For one thing, it is a time to share your views and feelings. The whole day, your children are influenced by teachers, friends and the outside world. At the dinner table, they get to connect with their parents on challenging issues like schoolwork, peer pressure, friendships and many other things. Each of them can share and help one another with valuable suggestions. Parents can even discuss about their work or the condition of family finances over a meal. The main goal is that conversation is taking place. The average parent speaks to their kids less than 40 minutes per week. Saying "Hi!" when you come in at night may take a second, but that it is not effective communication. However, in a family dinner, at the very least you're spending around 45 minutes to an hour discussing just about everything and anything in your mind. Even while you are watching a TV program, engaging questions may come up from topics taken up in the program. Young kids learn how to communicate through their siblings and parents. Usually, they are the center of attention with questions about their day and it makes them feel happy. You see kids always want attention when they are at a certain age and this helps them learn to share the limelight with others. For teenage girls, body image is everything. Learning to cook and eat nourishing family dinner is an indication that eating the right food will keep their bodies in shape and not avoiding food. Of course, teen age girls are less likely to suffer from eating disorder, but it would be good to develop in them a healthy view of food and their bodies by having a set family dinner time. There are lots of advantages to having a family dinner time. It is a moment for valuable communication that leads to stronger self-worth that can refuse to give in to the urge of drugs, alcohol and other negative influences on your kids and teens. |
| |
COMMUNITY LEADERS & FACILITATORS | |
|
Want to make a difference in your community? We want to help!
Facilitator Training Do you want to be an effective and confident program facilitator in order to help families in your community? Facilitator training is a four-part process that will increase (1) your knowledge of the Nurturing Parenting Programs®, (2) enhance your facilitation skills, (3) prepare you to run a program and (4) provide technical assistance for the duration of your program. |
|
Testimonials
from NPP training participants:
"This program has ministered to me and added value to my life. So many people will be affected around me. I will be a better wife, mother, daughter, employee, sister, friend and member of the body of Christ. I believe in this program." -Audrey Simmons, Nurturing God's Way facilitator training participant
"It was very informational regardless of one's experience or educational background. If every parent in the state of Georgia would take the time to be educated utilizing your system, we would be in a much better state of affairs!" -Denny Whitesel, The Center for Hope
|
| |
STATE/FEDERAL AGENCIES | |
|
Nurturing Georgia's Families Project
 2010 Results
The Nurturing Georgia's Families® Project had a rewarding year in 2010. Our target goal was to reach 958 individuals through workshops, trainings and programs. The actual number we reached is 1203. We are thankful for devoted program partners and facilitators that help to strengthen Georgia's communities.
For more information, please view our annual report.
|
|
|
