During the past eight years,
HARCATUS Head Start has been blessed to be able to provide the DARE to be You Program for Families with Preschool Children (DTBY)
to Head Start families. This has been made possible by a grant received from the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Services, made possible through the ADAMHS Board of Tuscarawas and
and aspects of parenting that contribute to youth resilience to later substance abuse. They include parental self-efficacy,
effective child rearing, social support, and problem-solving skills. The program has a multi-layered effect as each twelve-week
series includes Teen Mentors, recruited from local high schools and trained in the DTBY principles and positive role modeling, and
community volunteers that help set-up, serve- and clean-up during the family style meals. Community volunteers have included
high school groups, church groups, businesses and ACE Clubhouse members. In addition, churches have provided space for the program
and Community Mental Healthcare and Personal and Family Counseling have collaborated with us to co-facilitate with our Prevention
& Mental Health Manager (OCPS II).
Locally, the program has
seen multiple success stories that involve families continuing to use the concepts in their personal lives. One story is that
of a mother that attended the program with her four-year old preschool child, her two-year old son with special needs, and her three-month
old daughter. During each group session at DTBY, we practice learning to recognize small accomplishments that are important
to our daily functioning. This is done by passing the KOOSH ball, at which time, each person shares their positive. The same concept
is used, in developmentally appropriate ways, in the preschool group, underage three-group, school age group, and parent group. In
the beginning, this may be difficult for some, but soon they begin to look forward to sharing a positive each week, thus learning
to look at life through a more positive filter, building on small strengths. The families are each given a KOOSH ball to take
home on the last night of the program and encouraged to continue this practice daily. Crystal and her family continued this
practice each evening before dinner. On one day filled with difficult circumstances, which involved the need to move, losing many household and personal possessions, the family sat down to eat, and her preschool daughter said, “Mommy, I think we need
to have two positives today.” What a great example of protective factors being developed and the resiliency of a small
child, building the resiliency of an entire family!
