Parent Event Update

by | Apr 22, 2019 | Uncategorized

Our six communities have put on numerous events for parents over the past quarter. Topics are chosen with parent input and are based on relevant concerns and topics for our youth. Events are free and open to anyone who is interested. You do not need to be from the hosting town to attend. Events are posted on our ECAB Network Facebook page, so be sure to Like and Follow us to stay in the loop!

Amesbury High School hosted its 3rd SPACES event, Risky Business, on January 31. Attendees learned about some of the risky items that teens might have in their bedroom and what they could potentially be used for. The main message of the evening was you know your teen better than anyone. Just because you find some paraphernalia in your teens room doesn’t necessarily mean bad behavior. Use your judgement and look for shifts in normal behavior. Look for opportunities to have a discussion with your teen about your expectations for their behavior around substance use and other risky behaviors. Small conversations EARLY and OFTEN before negative behaviors occur can help save a lot of stress and arguments between you and your teen and helps the teen feel like they have a voice and some control over their own decisions and actions.

Georgetown hosted Hidden in Plain Sight on March 18th. Here parents were able to go through a teen’s bedroom and see items that might be hidden or that might indicate substance use. Parents were able to talk to local police officers about paraphernalia, mental health providers about local resources, the DA’s office about Internet Safety, learn about vaping products, and learn how to start this often difficult conversation with their children (SAMHSA Talk they Hear You Campaign Info).

In March, Newburyport hosted Al Vernacchio, high school sex educator and famous TedTalker to speak to parents and their kids about how to start that often difficult conversation around gender, sexuality and safety. Al encouraged parents to be curious and supportive, without judgement, of their children as they explore their identity. 100 short conversations are more impactful than one big “The Talk”. Young people learn values not only through the words they hear but through the actions they see. Again, EARLY and OFTEN is always good when talking to your child about difficult topics. Click HERE to hear Al’s Ted Talks.

On Tuesday April 2nd the Triton Regional School District hosted a presentation on gender education facilitated by Jeff Perrotti, renowned expert in the field of Gender Education – Creating a Safe School Climate and founding director of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ students.

Don’t miss our upcoming talks!

cTiLT Parenting
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 7 PM – 8:30 PM
Rupert A. Nock Middle School Auditorium

A conversation with Debbie Reber, Founder of TiLT Parenting.
Debbie is on a mission to change the way one in five children who are “differently wired” are seen and accepted. For differently wired, think Gifted, ADHD, those with Learning Disabilities, Aspergers, Sensory Processing Disorder and more.
Debbie will talk about how schools, families and societies can best support such children, offering insights into how their unique gifts may just hold the key to solving the big problems of tomorrow. Debbie will also share insights into how we can shift the paradigm so these students grow into thriving adults.
This event is cohosted between the The Parenting Years Speaker Series and the Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) of Newburyport.

cIn Plain Sight
Monday May 13th from 6:30-8:30 pm
Triton Regional High School

If you missed Risky Business or Hidden in Plain Sight, but want to learn more about what struggles your teen might be hearing about around substance use, come join us to see for yourself. Learn tips on what to look for, familiarize yourself with current paraphernalia and learn how to make that difficult conversation a little bit easier.

cDigital Life Talks with Juma Inniss
Thursday, May 16th from 6:30-8:30 pm
Amesbury High School Auditorium

Digital Life Talks (DLT) are down-to-earth conversations about growing up in a digital world. They connect teens to real life stories and practical solutions for the challenges of 21st century adolescence and young adulthood. DLT will inspire your young people for critical thinking and decision-making, online and off. For parents and young people

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About Us The Essex County Asset Builder (ECAB) Network creates regional connections and supports for individuals, families and organizations from Amesbury, Georgetown, Newbury, Rowley, Salisbury and Newburyport, in using a positive youth development approach to help youth thrive. Positive Youth Development Being a part of the ECAB Network brings local and regional opportunities.  Locally, communities have access to trainings, data, and best practices, and receive guidance on implementation and outreach strategies that build positive youth development possibilities.  Communities also get the benefit of regionalizing efforts, where networking, combining resources, current policies, and a shared vision strengthen the towns and cities as well as the region. History Recently, the communities of Amesbury, Georgetown, Newbury, Rowley, Salisbury and Newburyport came together to form the Essex County Asset Builder Network.  Funded by a three year grant, the goal of this Network is to create a common language of asset- based youth development (creating protective factors). It has been shown that youth who have more assets are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.  This grant will use the 40 Developmental Assets framework to build these protective factors and reduce risk behaviors by focusing on both the youth and the environment that shapes them. The community partnership will enhance the great work already being done to support youth and families, as well as expand community supports, opportunities, and resources. Additionally, the grant will collect and disseminate regional data, coordinate shared resources and bring educational opportunities for various sectors of the community. Goal To spread the philosophy and practice of the positive youth development approach through implementation of 40 Developmental Asset framework within communities across the region. We will accomplish this goal by: Mission To use a positive youth development approach to build networks within each community and across the region that help decrease risk behaviors in youth and produce a healthier community. Vision A network of communities that welcome, value and empower youth through meaningful opportunities and collaborative efforts to support and strengthen youth assets and increase healthy decision making.