Piedmont Community Services

PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH
 

Too Good for Drugs: is a primary prevention program that provides experiential learning activities to promote healthy choices, decision-making, goal setting, peer pressure, and ATOD education in 4th and 5th grade classes in Martinsville and Henry County and 4th, 6th, 8th, and 9th grade classes in Franklin County. This program is offered through a grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth and the Harvest Foundation.

 

RELATE (Relationship Education Leading Adolescents Towards Empowerment): is an interactive program, providing teens with opportunities to discuss and process the aspects of a healthy dating relationship. High school students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade are trained in the summer to facilitate five sessions to all 9th grade health classes.

 

SOS (Signs of Suicide): is a suicide prevention program facilitated in the 9th grade health classes and in 7 th grade classes. This is a one-time program that gives information on the signs of depression, how get help, and how to help friends. There is a video and discussion followed by a depression screen assessment tool, which allows prevention specialists to detect risk factors for depression/suicide in teens. Depression screens can be administered if desired.

 

Problem Identification and referral services: are provided to students at risk for developing problems who are referred to Prevention Specialists. Skill building activities, small groups, information dissemination, and resources for students in middle and high schools are provided.

 

FACE IT: is a program offered through the Alternative programs for first-time offenders of substance abuse policies. This program provides 8 weeks of substance abuse education and requires parents to attend two sessions.

 

Support Group Services: are offered by Prevention Specialists who provide skill building activities, small groups, information dissemination, and resources for students in middle and high school. Groups are held for 8 weeks each with topics including social skills, anger management, study skills, self-esteem building, and others as needed.

 

CHILL (Communities Helping to Improve Local Lives): is a youth task force consisting of volunteer high school students who are making positive choices. A 3-day training program provides education about the dangers of ATOD use, along with presentation skills and leadership training. The group meets monthly throughout the school year and participates in activities and events aimed at presenting positive alternatives for youth.

 

JV CHILL: is offered to 7th and 8th grade students to promote positive choices in their schools and communities. They meet monthly and are provided with training opportunities throughout the year. Programs for Parents and Caregivers

 

PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS

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Strengthening Families: is a program presented weekly for 14 weeks twice yearly. It is designed for families with children ages 6-11. Families who attend are provided with a meal, classes, childcare and character building activities for younger children, family fun nights, and stipends for perfect attendance. These weekly sessions give families an opportunity to strengthen their commitment to one another while improving their communication skills. This program is offered through a grant from the Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Services.

 

STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting): is a 7-session program for parents and caregivers of children of any age. Provided on a recurring basis daytime and evening.

 

Caught in the Middle: is for parents who are seeking a change in parental custody status. The program consists of 4 hours, is sanctioned by the Supreme Court of Virginia and is offered monthly for 2 hours on two separate nights. This program has a fee. Programs for Community Members

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PROGRAMS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS

 

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training): is a 14-hour training for suicide prevention.

 

MHFA (Mental Health First Aid): is an 8-hour training offered to the public to recognize mental health issues and how to respond. There are two separate programs—one focusing on adult issues and one on youth issues.

 

SAFE TALK: is a 3 hour training to provide community members with skills needed to address suicide risk.

 

Drug-Free MHC: is a coalition of agency representatives, parents, and citizens who meet monthly to coordinate and implement environmental strategies developed by the committees and coalition members for the reduction of substance abuse and support of treatment and recovery programs in Martinsville and Henry County. This is a community task force that gathers professionals and volunteers to work together on creating a more positive environment for young people by supporting a decrease in availability of ATOD while offering constructive alternatives.

 

FRESH (Focus on Response and Education to Stay Healthy): This is a community coalition that gathers professionals and volunteers to work together on creating a more positive environment for young people by supporting a decrease in availability of ATOD while offering constructive alternatives. This group serves youth by providing events, parenting tips and other programs aimed at bringing about an ATOD and violence free community. FRESH sponsors positive messages in the media, including billboards and newspaper ads to help create an environment that encourages productive values and choices for our young people.

 

Speakers Bureau: Prevention Specialists can provide presentations on a variety of topics for school personnel, parents, civic organizations. Some topics include: bullying, social media, stress management, and parenting topics.

 

 

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