North Reading Community Impact Team Launches 2024 Workshops

The North Reading Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition (Coalition), in partnership with the North Reading Police Department and North Reading Youth Services is pleased to announce it’s launch of its 2024 parent, caregiver, and community workshops. The series, entitled Noggins and Noodles focuses on topics that support family engagement, youth development, social media impact, understanding brain development, caregiver support, mental wellness and substance use prevention.

Coalition Chair Jennifer Ford explained, “This series is a really robust response to challenges we see in the community, not just facing youth, but families and caregivers as well.” Programs are aimed at supporting strong families and youth, each with a different approach. Evidence by Dr. J. David Hawkins and Dr. Richard F. Catalano of the University of Washington shows that that when children are bonded to their caregivers, peers, and schools in safe and supportive ways, they are less likely to initiate substance use. Drug-Free Communities Director Amy Luckiewicz added, “These programs are well thought-out and we love our collaborative approach to instruction, bringing in School Resource Officer Detective Lucci and Youth Services Director Eleanor Richard to partner with us.” The series is also in alignment with the Coalition’s aims to tackle substance use through a community-based approach, focusing on upstream prevention.

Registration for each program is free and programs are listed as they become available for registration. Luckiewicz noted, “We have over fifteen programs already planned with most open for enrollment.” Titles include “Setting Social Media Boundaries,” “Youth Cognitive Development: How Your Noggin Grows,” “From SAD to GLAD: Shifting Away from the Winter Blues,” and more.

For a full list of programs and to register, please visit www.northreadingma.gov/CIT and click on EVENTS. Please contact Amy at coalition@northreadingma.gov or call (978)357-5054 with any questions.