Alternatives for Youth (AY) is committed to providing substance use treatment services for youth aged 12 to 25 years and those who care for them.
Research has shown that engaging caregivers in substance use education and counselling programs improves treatment outcomes for youth with substance use and concurrent mental health problems.
The feedback we have received from caregivers that have attended this program indicates that information covered is helpful and the group experience is positive. Caregivers have noted improvement in their everyday lives as a result of attending this program.
The Parent Education Program (PEP) is a 6 week group that covers the following:
Week 1: The Impact of living with Substance Use/Self-care for Caregivers
Week 2: Adolescent Substance Use and Drug Basics
Week 3: Mental Health and Adolescent Brain Development
Week 4: Parenting Adolescents: Limits and Boundaries
One-Week Break
Week 5: Communication Strategies That Get Results
Week 6: Understanding and Influencing Change
PEP will run on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00pm, for 6 weeks – with a one week break following Week 4. Participants are asked to make a commitment to attend all 6 PEP group sessions.
The next PEP group is scheduled to start:
May 17th, 2023
PEP Fees: Services at Alternatives for Youth are funded by several sources, so presently there is no fee for attending PEP.
For inquiries, or to register for the group, please contact
Julia Verbitsky at jverbitsky@ay.on.ca or 289-684-0056
