Upcoming Youth & Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth Programs and Activities

Domestic Violence Training for Healthcare Providers

If you are a healthcare provider living in, or providing services in Haddam or
Killingworth, you are invited to a domestic violence training (including
learning effective ways to screen for domestic violence) on Wednesday,
September 28, 2011 from 6-8 p.m in the H-K MS Lower Media Center. The domestic violence workshop will offer 2 CEUs for participants. This program is free of charge and a light supper will be provided.  To register, please call
Youth and Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth, Inc. at 860-345-7498

Family Connections

This group has been meeting in the community since the winter/spring of 2011 and will be resuming soon, meeting on a monthly basis, and will be welcoming new members. The group will often have meetings that include all members of each family, in order to give all family members an opportunity to participate and meet.

Some of the topics discussed during meetings are: sharing adoption stories, working through common concerns, discussing the different stages of families with adopted children, sharing experiences, sharing resources, and providing a safe environment for families that can relate to one another.

Family Connections is offered through Youth and Family Services of
Haddam-Killingworth, Inc. and is led by a master’s level counselor with
professional and personal experience with adoption issues. This is an open meeting, so that those interested can join at any time. There is a $10.00 fee per family per meeting. Please contact HKYFS at 860-345-7498 for meeting information an to sign up.

Ginger Katz Speaks at Haddam-Killingworth Middle School

451 Route 81,
Killingworth, CT
Wednesday, October 5, 2011, 7:00 p.m.

Knowledge is Power

Courage to Speak-Courageous Parenting 101®

The Lesson That Could Save Your Child’s Life

It is a fact that our children will be offered alcohol,
tobacco and other drugs, often many times, starting in middle school and
continuing through high school.  What can you do about this?  Learn
about substance abuse and gain the knowledge and skills needed to keep your
children safe.

Following this free event on
October 5, 2011 featuring Ginger Katz, a free parent education series, entitled
Courage to Speak-Courageous Parenting 101® developed by the
Courage to Speak Foundation will be offered by the Haddam-Killingworth Middle
School and Youth and Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth, Inc.  The Courage
to Speak-Courageous Parenting 101® series will be held, free of
charge, on Wednesday Evenings 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, and 11/2 from 7-8:30
p.m.  Parents will learn effective communication strategies; gain confidence to talk to their children about the dangers of drugs; understand how to set clear rules and
boundaries with their children related to use of alcohol, tobacco and other
drugs; and gain confidence in knowing how to deal with substance use among
their children.

The course covers: teen drug use trends and party culture;
guidance to help reduce the risk of substance use; how to help your child
handle stress; warning signs; what to do if use or abuse is suspected and much
more.  Parents will also develop improved listening and communication
skills, which have been shown to be a critical factor in prevention.

For more information or to sign up for the series contact
Cheryl Chandler, Executive Director, Youth and Family Services of
Haddam-Killingworth, Inc. or Liz Young, Guidance Counselor, Haddam Killingworth
Middle School at , 860-663-1241.  This program is brought to you in part
by the Middlesex United Way.

 About The Courage to Speak® Foundation:

The Courage To Speak® Foundation, Inc. exists to save
lives by empowering youth to be drug free through fostering education and open
communication about the dangers of alcohol and other drug use. Ginger Katz
founded the nonprofit organization in 1996, just months after her 20 year old
son Ian James Eaccarino died of an accidental drug overdose. She and her
husband Larry pledged to do everything in their power to help prevent such a
tragedy from happening to another family. The Courage To Speak Foundation
develops drug prevention curriculum for elementary (based on Sunny's Story),
middle and high school students as well as parents through Courage to Speak
- Courageous Parenting 101.Mrs. Katz has given nearly 1,000 presentations
to over a million young people and the adults who care about them. Please visit
www.couragetospeak.org <http://www.couragetospeak.org>.

Do you have unwanted or expired prescription medications and want to dispose of them safely?

Healthy Communities-Healthy Kids Coalition, an initiative of Youth & Family
Services of Haddam-Killingworth, Inc., is hosting a Drug Take Back Program on
October 29, 2011 at the Killingworth Town Hall from 10:00am to 2:00pm. This is
a free collection and safe disposal of prescription and over-the-counter
medications. Please bring your medication in its original containers, with the
name crossed out. We will not accept illegal drugs or paraphernalia. If you
would like more information on this program please visit our website www.hkyfs.org or call Kathryn Glendon at
860-345-7498

Girls Night Out

Topics will also include the importance of maintaining a positive body image and how to deal with difficult situations which may arise during this dynamic time.
This program is for girls in the 4th and 5th grades and their mothers/care
takers. Patty Cournoyer, a health educator facilitates this course.

Thursday, November 10, 2011 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. @ The Killingworth Library

Thursday, November 17, 2011 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. @ The Haddam Youth Center

Cost is $25 per pair. This includes resource materials, goodie bags, and a
pizza dinner! Call Youth and Family Services of Haddam Killingworth, Inc. at
860-345-7498 to register. Space is limited!!! Reserve your spot today!!

Stuff A Cruiser in Haddam and Killingworth

On Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. there will be an opportunity to stuff the cruiser that belongs to Haddam Resident State Trooper James Connelly with gifts that will be distributed by Youth and Family Services
during the holidays. Please come to the Higganum Green in Higganum Center where the cruiser will be parked. In Killingworth, Killingworth Resident Trooper
Matthew Ward will be at the Killingworth transfer Station on the same date and
time. Refreshments will be served. Please remember our teens during this
holiday season as well as young children. If you need ideas, please call Youth
and Family Services at 860-345-7498.