ABCD Parenting Young Adolescents A practical and enjoyable 4-week program to help parents understand and cope better with the challenges of early adolescence. This free program is delivered throughout Victoria. Visit the new ABCD Parenting Young Adolescents website at www.abcdparenting.org.au Who is the program for? What to expect Locations Other languages How to register Background - Project brief Contact for further information

Who is the program for?

The ABCD program is for parents of young adolescents (years 7 and 8). It will enable parents to:

• Be reassured about their parenting
• Gain knowledge about adolescent development
• Be assisted in exploring what will work for them and their family
• Take away and practice new skills

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What to expect:

• 2-hour sessions held over four consecutive weeks
• Program led by an experienced facilitator
• Groups of 8-15
• Childcare is available
• Share experiences with other parents

Some topics include:

• Problem solving
• Conflict resolution - finding a solution that will meet your child's needs and your own
• Limit setting
• Self care

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Locations and dates

Programs will be running throughout 2002 at locations throughout Victoria. Call Parentline on 13 22 89 to find the nearest location and its commencing dates.

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Other Languages

To cater for culturally and linguistically diverse (CDL) communities, programs will be facilitated by bilingual facilitators in the following languages:

• Arabic speaking
• Turkish
• Macedonian
• Vietnamese
• Spanish speaking

Contact UnitingCare Moreland Hall for more information on programs in these languages. Call (03) 9386 2876, or email us (select "ABCD Program" from the "to" list).

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How to register

Contact you local regional co-ordinator. For your regional coordinator's contact details call Parentline on 13 22 89.

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Background - Project Brief

Supporting Families and Preventing Drug Problems

The Department of Human Services, Victoria has funded Moreland Hall and the Victorian Parenting Centre to provide a state-wide parent education program (the ABCD program) for parents of early adolescents. This program is funded as part of the Commonwealth National Illicit Drugs Strategy.

The ABCD program complements the range of early intervention and preventative programs supported by the Victorian Government to help families deal with drug issues. These programs include Community Education Campaigns, Local Community Drug Forums, Parent Support Groups, and the Family Drug Helpline.

The ABCD program draws upon research which indicates that assisting parents to develop more collaborative, and compassionate parenting practices can be effective in preventing adolescent drug use.

What is the ABCD program?

The ABCD program aims to equip parents with the communication skills, parenting practices, information and strategies to help them build positive, trusting relationships with their early adolescent children and help them prevent, and/or cope with adolescent drug use.

The program is targeted at parents of young people in Years 7 & 8 and focuses on the critical transition years from primary to secondary schools.

The research based ABCD program will comprise of two modules, a Basic and an Advanced program. Each program consists of four sessions run over four consecutive weeks. Issues addressed by the program will include:

• Parental attitudes, role-modeling and parenting practices
• Family problem-solving and conflict resolution
• Positive parent-adolescent relationships
• Enhancement of family understanding and connectedness
• Alcohol and other drugs information

Community Focus

The ABCD program has been developed by the Parenting Research Centre, and is managed state-wide by UnitingCare Moreland Hall. The program will be delivered across Victoria and will be provided in community settings.

Selected community agencies are responsible for co-ordinating and tailoring the delivery of the program to meet the particular and often unique needs of individual regions, including those of culturally and linguistically diverse communities. A separate initiative will be developed to meet the needs of Koori communities.

Contact for further information

• Department of Human Services, Project Officer, Liz Poole: tel (03) 9637 4462
• UnitingCare Moreland Hall, ABCD Project Manager, Sally Laurie: tel (03) 9384 8843 or email us (select "ABCD Program" from the "to" list)

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