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AYHSC Programs & Community Resources

View our AYHSC Calendar for all upcoming events!

Vaping help for parents and teens: A creative new campaign is hoping to treat teenagers addicted to vaping, which the FDA now says is an epidemic- NBC's Cynthia McFadden reports. CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO

NEW!! Information on Juuls, Vapes and Ecigarettes: Watch the Video Here:

Guiding Good Choices (GGC)

GGC offers proven techniques and effective tools to help parents of children ages 9-14:

Improve communication with their children
Develop healthy family values and clear behavioral expectations
Control and express anger constructively
Strengthen family bonds and trust
Prevent children from engaging in substance use and other risky behaviors

Guiding Good Choices consists of five workshops, held once a week for five consecutive weeks. GGC is a free, evidence-based program that is held twice a year in Fall & Spring. Email ayhsc@town.arlington.ma.us for more information or to sign up.

*This program is funded by the Elizabeth and George L. Sanborn Foundation, but hosted by AYHSC.

Parent Support Group (for parents of teenagers/young adults struggling with substance use)

Hosted by the Arlington Youth Counseling Center, this confidential Parent Support Group for parents of teenagers and young adults struggling with substance use meets on Thursday nights from 7pm - 8:30pm at AYCC (670R Massachusetts Avenue, behind Robbins Library).

Group facilitation is provided by two licensed clinicians. Most insurance plans accepted. Grant funding available for uninsured clients. For more information please call 781-316-3255, or email MRadhakrishnan@town.arlington.ma.us.

School Parent Forums

AYHSC offers community and parent forums every year. Past forums have included The Opioid Crisis: Identifying Community Solutions in Arlington, and Marijuana Use & the Adolescent Brain : Why medical/legal does not necessarily mean safe. Forums are announced 2- 3 months in advance. Check the AYHSC Calendar for upcoming parent forums.

Arlington Youth Resource Guide

The Arlington Youth Resource Guide informs youth and families in the Arlington community of the social, emotional and mental health resources in Town. It was created by an AHS '16 student, as part of the Arlington High School Academic Internship Program.

Resources for Parents, Caregivers and Other Youth-serving Adults

E-cigarette and Vaping Fact Sheet

AYHSC has created a fact sheet that lays out what exactly is in an e-cigarette, how it can be harmful, what these devices look like and more so that parents and youth-serving adults can be educated and prevent the trend of e-cigarette and vape use among our youth. (View the e-cigarette fact sheet.)

Mount Auburn Hospital Resource List for those struggling with Addiction

Addiction Recovery Management Service at MGH

The Addiction Recovery Management Service (ARMS) specializes in supporting teenagers and young adults between the ages of 14 and 26 and their parents as they deal with their substance use and related problems. (See Treatment Resource Flyer here)

Partnership for Drug Free Kids

DrugFree.org serves as a drug prevention information center, and a supportive community for parents to interact and learn from each other.

Marijuana Talk-Kit

The Marijuana Talk-Kit is what you need to know to talk with your teen about marijuana.

Learn to Cope

Learn to Cope is a non-profit support network that offers education, resources, peer support and hope for parents and family members coping with a loved one addicted to opiates or other drugs. Founded by Joanne Peterson in 2004, the organization has grown to include over 7000 members as of August 2015, and has become a nationally recognized model for peer support and prevention programming.

Resources for Youth

Addiction Center

Most addictions develop from drug abuse that starts during adolescence. The brain of a teenager is still developing, increasing the risk of addiction. Addiction Center resource provides more information about teenage drug use, local treatment centers and offers 24/7 addiction support.

Above the Influence

Above the Influence is an interactive site focusing on ideas to keep teens from using drugs. Allows teens to share their stories through photos and videos.

Vape and Nicotine Cessation

Want to become Smoke & Vape Free? Here are some free tools to help support a healthier you!

Text Message Programs:

Smokefree Teen has free text message programs that give you 24/7 tips, advice, and encouragement to help you become—and stay—tobacco free. These programs look just like a text conversation you’d have with a friend.

Try SmokefreeTXT to quit smoking.
Try DipfreeTXT to quit smokeless tobacco.
Choose Practice Quit to give quitting a try for a few days.
Build your quitting skills with Daily Challenges.
Teens, adults, and parents of teens seeking help around quitting e-cigarettes/JUULing can text “QUIT” to (202) 804-9884.

Meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous hold meetings throughout the US. Visit their websites to find a meeting near you.

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