Gordon Prevention

The Sources of Strength Wheel strength we will be discussing today is Positive Friends.

Positive lift us up, make us laugh, are honest with us, and are there for us when we need them.

Check-in Prompt: What qualities do you look for in a Positive Friend? Have each person in the household share a story about a Positive Friend in their life.

Activity: How can each person in your household connect with a Positive Friend this break? Gather the household and make an action plan for how each person will connect with at least one Positive Friend this break.

Practice: Write down the names of Positive Friends or the times you’ve experienced positive friendship in your life. What qualities did they have that you are thankful for?

Check-in Prompt: Who are the people that provide you with Family Support? These can be people in our foster families, stepfamilies, biological families, extended families, and chosen families.

What is one new healthy practice you can start with the people you consider family support during this break?

Activity: Choose someone you consider family and find a way to let them know you are thankful for them. Mail a care package with letters, artwork, and a homemade meal/treat, or send a small gift. Connect with them virtually through social media, a phone call, or email.

Gratitude Practice: Share with your household three people you are thankful for or three people you are thankful provided you with Family Support.
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The Sources of Strength's mission is to create a Well World and we accomplish that by partnering with you to spread Hope, Help, and Strength. Having a break from school creates a unique opportunity for everyone to engage with Strengths in new ways and discover the simple things we can do as individuals, households, and communities to care for ourselves and each other.

Sources of Strength helps identify strengths and protective
factors. These eight strengths on the Wheel represent the categories we can draw strength from: Family Support, Positive Friends, Mentors, Healthy Activities, generosity, Spirituality, Physical Health, and Mental Health.

Follow us as we spend each Friday talking about a different strength.

Use These 5 Goals When Talking to Kids about Alcohol and Other Drugs

5. Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding underage drinking and drug use. Even if you don’t think your child wants to drink or try other drugs, peer pressure is a powerful thing. Having a plan to avoid alcohol and drug use can help children make better choices. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they’ll say “no thanks.”

Use These 5 Goals When Talking to Kids about Alcohol and Other Drugs

4. Show you’re paying attention and you’ll discourage risky behaviors. Show you’re aware of what your child is up to, as young people are more likely to drink or use other drugs if they think no one will notice. Do this in a subtle way, without prying.

Use These 5 Goals When Talking to Kids about Alcohol and Other Drugs

3. Show you’re a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. You want your child to make informed decisions about alcohol and other drugs with reliable information about their dangers. You don’t want your child to learn about alcohol and other drugs from unreliable sources. Establish yourself as a trustworthy source of information.

Use These 5 Goals When Talking to Kids about Alcohol and Other Drugs

2. Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success. Young people are more likely to listen when they know you’re on their side. Reinforce why you don’t want your child to drink or use other drugs—because you want your child to be happy and safe. The conversation will go a lot better if you’re open and you show concern.

Use These 5 Goals When Talking to Kids about Alcohol and Other Drugs

1. Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse.
Over 80 percent of young people ages 10–18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink. Send a clear and strong message that you disapprove of underage drinking and misuse of other drugs.

How we do it!
Strategic Prevention Framework– The SPF is a planning model promoted by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support coordinated, comprehensive, data-driven planning and accountability. Designed to be long-term and evolutionary in nature, the resulting plan should build on knowledge and experience over time, and lead to measurable outcomes and system improvements.