Being a mother or father is one of the most enriching experiences, but can also present important challenges. With this in mind, Cornell’s cooperative extension of Suffolk County (CCE) offers the “Guessing good decisions” program, an initiative that provides proven tools and strategies to reinforce the relationship between parents and children, improve communication at home and accompany children in their transition to adolescence.
Thanks to the support of the Suffolk County Health Department, in Long Island, this program is available at no cost in English and Spanish language, both in person and virtual through Zoom.
Being a father or mother is one of the most rewarding roles of life, but also entails their own challenges. The “guiding good decisions” program offered by CCE provides evidence -based tools and strategies to strengthen family ties, improve communication and guide children during early adolescence.
This program focuses on key areas such as:
– Strengthen communication between parents and children: Parents learn practical skills to connect with their children and create an open and support environment.
– Establish limits and expectations: This program helps families establish clear rules and consequences to promote positive behavior.
– Develop skills to make healthy decisions: Children are empowered to make good decisions, resist group pressure and strengthen their self -esteem.
– Prevent substance consumption: The program includes strategies to reduce the risk of drugs and alcohol between children and adolescents.
The availability of this program in both languages highlights the importance of inclusion in family support initiatives that strengthen families, develop resilient children and create healthier communities.
It should be noted that during the winter, under the direction of the bilingual educators Dinah Torres Castro and Michelle Saavedra-Cedeño, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE) completed the first series of 5 sessions in Spanish in the San Juan Evangelista church in Riverhead.
In March, through a collaboration with OLA (Latin American Organization), a local defense organization at the East End, and the Hampton Bays school district, educators took this program in English and Spanish to the families of Hampton Bays.
Among the positive comments of the participants are phrases such as: “I learned that I can talk to my son about drugs and alcohol”, “I am improving the way I communicate with my son” and “I hope to continue guiding my children and create a home with good parenting.”
In this way, thanks to the financing of the Suffolk County Health Department, CCE’s health and family welfare educators can offer this program in English and Spanish, both in person and by Zoom, for free.
The success of these programs has led to plan future sessions with both groups. Zoom sessions are still ongoing.
For more information on how to join or bring the workshop “guide good decisions” to your school, agency or organization for free, contact weiner face to the mail [email protected]
And visit your page to get more information: ccesuffolk.org/communityeducation .
