Surviving the Teen Years
Motto: We are all about the successful parenting of KIDS
Listen to our promo
Listen to an interview with Jack Gallagher about this class.
What is it? Surviving the Teen Years (STY) is a 6-week parenting class that is held on Wednesday nights from 6–7:30 pm. flyer
How often is it done? STY is presented 4 times a year starting in September and ending in mid May. Upcoming sessions can be found on our calendar.
Who teaches the class? Jack Gallagher is the lead instructor. Jack has over 34 years of experience in working with at risk children and families and has been teaching this specific class series since 8/04.
Where is it held? STY classes are held at 1000 East High Street at the Children, Youth and Family Services building.
Who attends the class? STY classes are for parents and their teens. Some parents are required to take the class but most of the parents who attend are trying to improve their parenting skills and resolve existing parent/teen conflicts. It is highly recommended that both parents and their teens attend the class.
What is covered in the classes? STY uses the national curriculum Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) from American Guidance Service Inc. and includes parenting strategies and suggestions from a variety of proven parent education curriculums, books, and parent educators. Some of the topics include: adolescent development info; respectful communication; realistic family rules, consequences and privileges; consistency; how and why to do family meetings; conflict resolution approaches; anger and stress management strategies; strengths based parenting; community resources; and a variety of handouts on specific parenting challenges. STEP goals include: to raise a child who is happy, healthy, confident, cooperative, and responsible; to build a strong, lifelong relationship with your child; to help your child grow to be a responsible adult, and to raise a child who is loved and able to give love.
How is it taught? STY classes are multi-learning experiences that use parenting videos, simple reading and homework assignments, class discussions, group problem solving, and class exercises. We also supplement the curriculum with some specialized stress reduction activities and discussions. We do some initial assessment of what is working and what is not and help each parent/family develop some specific parenting strategies that work.
Are there other services provided? Yes, there are handouts provided on key ingredients for successful parenting and suggestions on addressing specialized parenting challenges from common parenting challenges to drug use, blended and single parent families, school issues, illegal activity, temper tantrums, runways, etc. The class fee also includes three parent consultation meetings at our office or in the family home. These sessions are designed to help families apply what they have learned in the classes and address each family’s specific parenting challenges.
How much does it cost? The cost for all 6 classes is $130 per family, $100 per couple or $80 per individual. This fee covers 6 classes (9 hours of instruction), 3 Family Coaching Visits (3-6 hours of coaching meetings), STEP Parenting Manual, class handouts, and phone consults.
Who funds this program? This class series is funded by a Family and Children’s Trust Fund (FACT) grant, with local support from the Charlottesville Community Area Foundation, the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Fluvanna County, United Way, local donors, and fees.
Why do it? As most parents of adolescents already realize, parenting is not taught in our mainstream public education system. Most of us rely on what our parents did and/or what we think we should do. Too often this approach usually involves good intentions but inconsistent and ineffective parenting approaches. When adolescence arrives things start to get complicated with the potential for frequent family conflicts, tension and stress, arguments, or worse. Luckily there are “tried and true” parenting strategies and skills that can be learned and used to resolve existing family challenges. This class series provides practical strategies and tools that can help a family reorganize their efforts toward a more successful family and parenting experience. An investment of 6 evenings and $125 is a small price to pay for some worthwhile parenting strategies. Most of the parents who take our classes, whether it is required or voluntarily, tell us that they are very glad they did. They feel that it is the least they can do for their kids and their families.
Does it work? Definitely. We ask parents and their teens to fill out satisfaction surveys at the conclusion of the classes and the results are always very positive. If you would like to see these surveys and read the parent comments we would be glad to share them to you. We are committed to evaluating and improving our classes and the results indicate that our classes are appreciated and successful at helping parents and their teens make improvements at home.
How do I enroll? Enrollment can be done over the phone or online and takes less than 5 minutes. Parent Educators are also willing to meet with families prior to the class to explain the curriculum and answer questions. Check our calendar for upcoming classes. Please note that you must talk with the class instructor, Jack Gallagher, to complete the class enrollment process. Call him at 434 589 1171.
Class Schedule 2011-2012
Classes are held Wednesdays 6 - 7:30 PM at 1000 East High Steet, Suite A, Charlottesville, VA. See complete schedule for the year.
Ways to Get Started:
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Call Jack Gallagher at 434 296-4118 extension 257
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Email Jack Gallagher at jgallagher@cyfs.org
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Check the calendar for upcoming classes
