Resources for Parents

Health

• Project Interface - If any of you have ever tried to navigate the mental health care system, you know how challenging it can be to find therapists and psychiatrists who can help you with issues that your child may be facing. It can be so discouraging when you are facing difficulties to not be able to get the help you so desperately need. By being a participating community, our residents can call the help line and speak to a health care provider.
• Westford Health Department
• Westford Public Schools Health Services
• Westford Academy Health Education Program
• KidsHealth

Drug Abuse

• TheAntiDrug.com
• WASA - Westford Against Substance Abuse
• AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS AND MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING RELEASE FREE HANDBOOK
  "Parents are the first line of defense against underage drinking, but it can be daunting to know exactly what to say. This booklet helps guide parents through these conversations with their kids," said Dr. Sandra Schneider, American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) president, in an ACEP news release. The handbook is called Power of Parents, It's Your Influence. According to the press release, a recent U.S. government report cited an average of 546 emergency department visits a day involving underage drinkers in 2009. And according to MADD, one in three grade 8 students in the United States drinks alcohol and one in five teens binge drinks. To request a free copy of the parent handbook, go to the ACEP website: http://www.emergencycareforyou.org/

Internet Safety

• iSafe
• Net Smartz

School

• Westford Public Schools website
• Westford Elementary PTO
• Westford Middle School PTO

Bullying

• Download the handouts from the March '10 Bullying event.
• Books
  • No Room for Bullies: From the Classroom to Cyberspace Teaching Respect, Stopping Abuse, and Rewarding Kindness by Jose Bolton and Stan Graeve
  • The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School--How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence by Barbara Coloroso
  • Easing the Teasing : Helping Your Child Cope with Name-Calling, Ridicule, and Verbal Bullying by Judy S. Freedman
  • And Words Can Hurt Forever: How to Protect Adolescents from Bullying, Harassment, and Emotional Violence by James Garbarino, Ellen deLara
  • Talking About Bullying by Jillian Powell
  • Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain by Trevor Romain
  • Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls by Rachel Simmons
  • Best Friends, Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children by Michael Thompson, Cathe O'Neill-Grace, Lawrence J. Cohen
  • Mom, They're Teasing Me: Helping Your Child Solve Social Problems by Michael Thompson and Lawrence J. Cohen
  • Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence by Rosalind Wiseman