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 All across North Carolina, the number of parents as partners in
prevention is growing as a result of the formation of the North
Carolina Parent Network. The Parent Network was created to
provide support and networking opportunities to the increasing
number of Parent Leaders, parent volunteers, prevention
professionals, coalitions, and public and private community
agencies who are working to implement and expand parent-centered
child and adolescent substance abuse prevention in North
Carolina. Currently, the network has contacts in 55 of the
state’s 100 counties.
Coordinated by Parent Resource Center at Families in Action
based in Wilson, the Parent Network is an integral part of the
NC Strategic Prevention Framework, the five step process that is
being used to address substance abuse prevention in North
Carolina. Designed to addresses capacity building, the Parent
Network offers participants opportunities to develop
skills, share resources, network, and receive on-site
consultation and technical assistance.
Through the Parent Network, paid and volunteer Parent Leaders
are able to receive intensive training in grass-roots,
parent-centered prevention. Some Parent Leaders may be working
independently, while others are affiliated with schools, the
faith community, or community based agencies and organizations.
Regularly scheduled meetings afford network participants an
opportunity to learn about important and timely issues including
the state’s initiatives to reduce underage drinking and tobacco
use, gang awareness, bullying as a risk factor, internet safety
and youth, the role of the faith community, media advocacy,
media literacy, leadership principles, and best practices.
Credit for participation is awarded by the NC Substance Abuse
Professional Practice Board.
In addition to monthly meetings, participants receive
information about best practices in parent-centered prevention
through web-based resources, weekly e-communications, a
moderated list serve, and periodic workshops and seminars. The
Parent Resource Center offers on-site consultation and technical
assistance on issues ranging from how to get parents involved in
prevention to sustaining funding.
To find out how you, your agency or community can participate in
the NC Parent Network or to find out who the contact is in your
county contact the Parent Resource Center Coordinator, at
252-237-1242, email
wfapmooring@simflex.com, or visit the NC Parent Network on
the web at
www.ncparentnetwork.org and
www.familiesinaction.org.
The Next
Step
Editor: Leanne
Murray
Writer: Rose Walsh
Designer: Virginia Hart
Partnership for a Drug-Free
NC
665 W. Fourth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
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