• "Prehistoric Pals" is an Anger Management/Conflict Resolution program for grades Pre-K and kindergarten, designed to provide young children with the necessary skills to express and deal successfully with feelings of anger and rage. Throughout this course, eight prehistoric creature puppets offer the children positive alternatives to violence that are practical and easy to understand. As the children identify with the characters, they are happy to see their new friends finding peaceful solutions to their everyday problems. At the conclusion of each story, the audience is encouraged to participate in a related activity designed to reinforce the values presented. The Prehistoric Pals curriculum includes six half-hour lessons.

  Call (732) 381-4100 to schedule a program for your school or group.

• "Forest Friends" is an engaging program for 1st and 2nd graders using hand-held forest puppets to demonstrate healthy life skills. This series of playets will explore character building qualities needed by children in making responsible decisions for themselves. The lovable puppets are center stage. They learn to deal emotionally and psychologically with lifelike situations. The puppets embody the traits, actions and reactions of all people, thus enabling the children to identify with them. The facilitator uses the lessons, scripts, coloring books and songs to round out this fun-filled educational program. Each of the five 45 minute lessons consist of the following concepts: Feelings, Honesty-Communication, Respect, Pride-Self Esteem, Choices-Decision Making and Talent-Diversity. A pre- and post- test are used to evaluate the programs effectiveness.
  For more information or to schedule a "Forest Friends" program, call (732) 381-4100.
  

  Some grant funded programs are available on a first come, first serve basis.

• "BABES" (Beginning Alcohol and Addictions Basic Education Studies) is a primary program for 3rd graders designed to give children a lifetime of protection from susbstance abuse. BABES accomplishes this by assisting young people to develop positive living skills and by providing them with accurate, non-judgmental information about the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. This important information is presented in a manner designed to gain the attention of children and enable them to develop a desire for healthful living and give them the ability to better understand how to protect themselves from alcohol and chemical dependency situations amoung their peers and within a family structure.

For more information or to schedule a "BABES" program, call (732) 381-4100.

• "Smart Choices" is a program for 5th and 6th graders. It deals with the challenges and pressures of pre-teens and teens emphasizing responsible decision making to avoid substance abuse, including alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. The use of playlets, role playing and small group discussion is utilized in 2 one hour sessions.

  For more information or to schedule a "Smart Choices" program, call (732) 381-4100.

• "All Stars" This life skills based curriculum wil be implemented with students in the middle schools (ages 11-14). It is a 14 lesson program that seeks to target and reduce risky behaviors while increasing positive social skills and beliefs. Students work in small groups during the regular school day. No less than 6 groups of students will run per school year, reaching at least 180 students and families. Material is sent home for parents and phone contact is established and maintained for support. Additional parent groups may also be offered. The "All Stars" program is a science-based curriculum that was developed and is maintained by Tanglewood Research.

  For more information or to schedule a "All Stars" program, call (732) 381-4100.
  

• "What Should I Tell My Child about Drinking?" is for parents of all-aged children (pre-K to college). Using "true to life" video vignettes hosted by Meryl Streep, the program will include a guided discussion on parenting skills. Parents are the key to effective prevention efforts. Taking the responsibility of educating your child on the dangers of alcohol, communication skills, and rule setting are just some of the topics that will be discussed. The use of "Teachable Moments" will be emphasized. This parenting program can be one 2 hour session or two 1 hour sessions. The participants will receive a booklet that discusses the various age-appropriate "Teachable Moments" for children ages 5-18+. Community groups, schools or businesses can schedule a program by calling the Prevention Links office at (732) 381-4100.

• "Back to Basics" is a program aiming to reduce the identified risk factor of "Family mangement problems among families with children 5-18 who have a history of alcohol and drug abuse. This program, offered day or evening, consists of 2 sessions, each 2 hours long, and promotes positive parenting through communication skills, identifying and utilizing "teachable moments," setting family rules and consistent consequences, and sending a clear "no use message." The parents and teens will have an opportunity to begin a positive dialogue on substance abuse issues.

For more information or to schedule a "Back to Basics" program, call (732) 381-4100.

• "Keys to Innervisions" is an educational curriculum for adults and adolescents about change, specifically changing the beliefs and behaviors that lead to drug abuse and dependency. This program teaches people how to change by providing information and processes that promote self-concept and the belief that change is not only possible, but is accessible to all. The issues most critical get the greatest attention: substance use and abuse, family issues about dependency, emotional control, personal accountability, school performance and special attention to transitional issues. With practicing the principles of change, participants begin to experience hope and a sense of power to create an alternative to using chemicals to handle their lives. Included is a plan of follow-up and aftercare to support the new behaviors learned in this program.
• "Possibility Parenting" is the 6 session parenting component of Keys to Innervisions. This program provides parents/guardians with additional tools to support their efforts in raising healthy teens.

  For more information or to schedule a "Keys to Innervisions" program, call (732) 381-4100.
  

• " CAP Program" (Congregation Assistance Program) - is a structured prevention and early intervention ministry within a congregation in which selected individuals (core teams) are trained to be resources for the congregation and community on alcohol and other drug dependence and to pomote healthy lifestyles. It has three components:
1. Education
2. Outreach
3. Referral

For more information or to schedule a "CAP" program, call (732) 381-4100.

• "Party/Club Drugs"

  There has been an increase in the use and availability of controlled dangerous substances referred to as "designer or club drugs." The hard-hitting reality of these drugs is commonly associated with "Raves, Clubs or Parties" where selected music and dance are featured to enhance the drug's effect. This workshop focuses on the history and subculture of "Raves," the signs and the symptoms of these "club" drugs, paraphernalia identification, and the danger of these drugs. Club Drugs is a new epidemic among youth between the ages of 10-18; this trend has moved to suburban and urban teenagers. Prevention Links has presented this program to Union County parents, teachers, youth, clergy, and judicial system employees to educate them about these deadly drugs.

  For further information on any of these programs, please contact us at (732) 381-4100.

• "Pathways to Empowerment"

  "Pathways to Empowerment" is a comprehensive life skills program based on Project Oz, a national science-based alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse prevention program. The curriculum is specifically designed to address the needs of children ages 7-14 who have physical, emotional, developmental, and/or learning disabilities.

  The "Pathways to Empowerment" program presents information on substance abuse prevention with a focus on developing life skills. Lessons and activities are designed to be fun and interactive, with homework to reinforce learning. The 15 session curriculum is intended to become part of the child's overall school experience. Educators are trained on the curriculum so that the lessons can be co-facilitated with the Prevention Links staff. Parent involvement is encouraged through family meetings and newsletters, in an effort to continue fostering parent-child communication about substance abuse.

  For further information on any of these programs, please contact us at (732) 381-4100.
  

• Strengthening Families

  The Strengthening Families Program (SPF) is not just for parents or children alone, but the whole family. It is a family-skills training program designed to increase resilience and reduce risk factors for behavioral, emotional, academic and social problems. SFP also builds on protective factors by improving family relationships, parenting skills, and improving the youth's social and life skills.

  The long-range goal of the curriculum is to improve the social and life skills of children - including improved peer resistance, problem solving, communication, ability to make positive friends, identifying feelings and control anger. The program seeks to reduce children's antisocial behaviors, aggression and conduct disorders by improving the parent's effective discipline, family management skills, supervision, reduction in physical punishment and to improve the family's time together - communication, cohesion, planning and organization, and reduction in high levels of family conflict.

  The SFP curriculum is based on the age of youth participants. Families with youth between the ages of 6-9 participate in the 14-week curriculum while families with youth ages 10-14 participate in the 7-week program. Both curriculums are comprised of Parent Training, Children's Skills Training and Family Life Skills Training. The first hour is spent in separate sessions. Parents will learn to increase desired behaviors in children by using attention and rewards, clear communication, effective discipline, substance use education, problem solving and limit setting. Children learn effective communication, understanding feelings, social skills, problem solving, resisting peer pressure, consequences of substance use, and compliance with parental rules. During the second hour families engage in structured family activities, practice therapeutic child play, conduct family meetings, learn communication skills, practice effective discipline, reinforce positive behaviors in each other, and plan family activities together. Family meals are provided at each weekly session as added incentive for participation.

  For information about participation or having the Strengthening Families Program delivered to families associated with your school or organization, please contact Prevention Links (732) 381-4100 or Community@preventionlinks.org