"Can We Talk" Parent Workshop Series Offered

"Can We Talk?" is a fun, interactive workshop series to help parents talk to their children ages 6-14 about self-esteem, sexuality, peer pressure and mixed messages. This workshop is available statewide for a limited time at no cost.

This creative series of workshops helps parents gain skills to communicate with their children about difficult issues in a way that is comfortable, non-confrontational, and enhances their role in their children’s health and sexuality education.

The workshops are based on the idea that parents want to communicate their values to their children and that children need good, factual information and decision-making skills in order to remain healthy.

"Can We Talk?" is appropriate for parents and caregivers of all literacy levels. A culturally sensitive Spanish version, ¿Conversamos?, is also available. This parent workshop series offer fun and interactive strategies to help parents talk to their children ages 6-14 about self-esteem, sexuality, peer pressure, and mixed messages.

Session I will be held on Friday, March 24, 2006 from 6:00 pm until 8:00pm & Session II will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2006 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at the Richland School District One
Lyon Street Teleconference Center, 1310 Lyon Street, Columbia, SC 29204. Childcare and meals will be provided.

To register contact:

Richland School District One
Student Support Services
Parent and Family Services
Columbia, South Carolina 29204
803-231-6705
Dr. Sharon Earle, Director
searle@richlandone.org

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What do the workshops address?

The workshops focus on: self-esteem (puberty), sexuality (HIV/AIDS), mixed messages, peer pressure, violence (bullying and harassment), and drugs.

Throughout the series, parents will learn more about:

• Positive communication between themselves and their children,
• Respecting different perspectives and family values,
• Role modeling positive behaviors,
• Clarifying family values and rules,
• How to construct a foundation to prevent HIV/AIDS, STDs, teen pregnancy, substance abuse and violence.

What has "Can We Talk?" accomplished in South Carolina?

Since January 2000, more than 700 South Carolina parents and caregivers have participated in the program.

• Currently there are more than 40 active facilitators providing a minimum of one series a year.
• All facilitators in the "Can We Talk?" SC network are trained by the program developer Dominic Cappello or certified South Carolina trainers Dan Jepson and Kelli Kenison.
  

What do we know about the results of the program in South Carolina?

Impact on parents is measured through self-reporting surveys that question parents on their comfort level and knowledge of topics discussed in the workshops.

South Carolina results in 2002-2003:

• 75% of parents reported increasing their conversations with their child about peer pressure after completing the workshops than before the workshops.
• • 70% of parents reported increasing their conversations with their child about self esteem after completing the workshops than before the workshops.
• • 65% of parents reported increasing their conversations with their child about puberty and sexuality after completing the workshops than before the workshops.
• • 55% of parents reported increasing their conversations with their child about mixed messages after completing the workshops than before the workshops