Guest Blog Post By:
Marci Mednick, MPA, Community Development Specialist
Laguna Beach Community Coalition
The Laguna Beach Community Coalition is a unique partnership between the schools, medical professionals and community leaders to improve the health and well-being of young people. We meet monthly to discuss the ways we can support families and engage the community in prevention efforts. Young people deal with a great deal of academic and social stress and today's teens must make decisions about alcohol and drug use that no previous generation has had to make. The coalition has designed a series of workshops aimed to empower parents and teens with the tools they need to build resiliency and navigate life's many ups and downs. We realize how busy families are with academics, sports, etc and are hoping they will take some time to connect and with each other.
Marci Mednick, MPA, Community Development Specialist
Laguna Beach Community Coalition
The Laguna Beach Community Coalition is a unique partnership between the schools, medical professionals and community leaders to improve the health and well-being of young people. We meet monthly to discuss the ways we can support families and engage the community in prevention efforts. Young people deal with a great deal of academic and social stress and today's teens must make decisions about alcohol and drug use that no previous generation has had to make. The coalition has designed a series of workshops aimed to empower parents and teens with the tools they need to build resiliency and navigate life's many ups and downs. We realize how busy families are with academics, sports, etc and are hoping they will take some time to connect and with each other.
We've assembled some leading experts to help you and your family along your journey together. Join us for this four-part dinner series that will be held on Tuesday evenings throughout October. It's sure to bring you and your child closer as you share this time together. Participants will receive a certificate of completion.
Session 1: Communication and Building a Better Relationship
Tuesday, October 4
6:30-8:00pm
The key to thriving relationships is trust and communication, and even more so when it comes to a healthy relationship with your teen. Take a break from texts and emojis to come learn how to communicate with your teen in a way that creates trust, respect and most of all, love. You and your teen will learn practical techniques on how to speak and listen to one another in a way that will make an immediate difference in your household and life.
Expert Instructor Renee Hulse, is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in Orange County, specializing in children and family relationships. Renee has taught as an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University Graduate School, in the Psychology and Educational department, and currently teaches parent and family communication classes throughout Orange County.
Session 2: Substance Use and the Developing Teen Brain
Tuesday, October 11
6:30-8:00pm
Simply put, children who understand the risks of substance use are less likely to use them. Attend this relaxed-yet-educational course with your teen to equip them with credible, age-appropriate information about substance use. Led by an expert who has found nationwide success using humor to educate children, this class will teach young people social and self-management skills, including skills in resisting peer and media pressure to smoke, drink, or use drugs. Remember, knowledge is the key component in prevention.
Expert Instructor Ray Lozano, a prevention expert with a witty delivery, has educated and entertained thousands of students in middle schools and high schools nationwide. He has the rare ability to convey drug and alcohol prevention information in a humorous way so that it truly resonates with young people.
Session 3: Cyber Safety
Tuesday, October 18
6:30-8:00pm
Cyber safety is more critical today than ever. Sexting and/or cyberbullying will impact nearly every teen in America. This course will give parents and students the information they need to make good decisions in their online lives. Additionally, you'll learn the common vulnerabilities to teen safety and how they can make themselves more secure in social networks. The program focuses on the importance of a positive digital reputation, and the long-term impact cyberbullying and sexting can have on their lives. Topics discussed include: the impact of bullying in schools, current bullying trends, social media risks, sexting, predators, legal issues, and more.
Expert Instructor Clayton Cranford is a law enforcement professional based in Southern California and one of the nation's leading educators on social media and child safety. Author of "Parenting in a Digital World," Clayton has more than 20 years of teaching experience and has been a featured speaker at the National Conference on Bullying, the Southwest Conference on Human Trafficking, the California Association of Crime Prevention Officers, and the National Association of School Resource Officers. Also presenting is Nicholas VanEffen, Criminal Investigator, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Session 4: Building Self-Confidence and Relating with Peers
Tuesday, October 25
6:30-8:00pm
Parents are the most influential people in the lives of children and adolescents, providing powerful messages and dynamic interactions that shape their self-identity and personality. In this way, each day at home is an opportunity for parents to provide their child with lessons in taking responsibility, navigating difficulties and failure, as well as teaching others how they want to be treated. This class will demonstrate the power of daily routines and interactions, exploring how healthy communication, boundaries, and responsibility help teens become successful young adults.
Expert Instructor Dr. Ryan Roemer, Psy.D., is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and staff member at Mission Hospital Laguna Beach. A leader in adolescent mental health and wellness services, Dr. Roemer is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University with specialized training in Family Psychology, Developmental Transitions, and Pediatric Integrative Health.
Tickets for one adult and one child (age 11/up) are $55 for all four session or $20 for an individual session. Dinner is provided at each session. Classes will take place at the Laguna Beach Community & Susi Q Center located at 380 Third Street in Laguna Beach.
Session 1: Communication and Building a Better Relationship
Tuesday, October 4
6:30-8:00pm
The key to thriving relationships is trust and communication, and even more so when it comes to a healthy relationship with your teen. Take a break from texts and emojis to come learn how to communicate with your teen in a way that creates trust, respect and most of all, love. You and your teen will learn practical techniques on how to speak and listen to one another in a way that will make an immediate difference in your household and life.
Expert Instructor Renee Hulse, is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in Orange County, specializing in children and family relationships. Renee has taught as an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University Graduate School, in the Psychology and Educational department, and currently teaches parent and family communication classes throughout Orange County.
Session 2: Substance Use and the Developing Teen Brain
Tuesday, October 11
6:30-8:00pm
Simply put, children who understand the risks of substance use are less likely to use them. Attend this relaxed-yet-educational course with your teen to equip them with credible, age-appropriate information about substance use. Led by an expert who has found nationwide success using humor to educate children, this class will teach young people social and self-management skills, including skills in resisting peer and media pressure to smoke, drink, or use drugs. Remember, knowledge is the key component in prevention.
Expert Instructor Ray Lozano, a prevention expert with a witty delivery, has educated and entertained thousands of students in middle schools and high schools nationwide. He has the rare ability to convey drug and alcohol prevention information in a humorous way so that it truly resonates with young people.
Session 3: Cyber Safety
Tuesday, October 18
6:30-8:00pm
Cyber safety is more critical today than ever. Sexting and/or cyberbullying will impact nearly every teen in America. This course will give parents and students the information they need to make good decisions in their online lives. Additionally, you'll learn the common vulnerabilities to teen safety and how they can make themselves more secure in social networks. The program focuses on the importance of a positive digital reputation, and the long-term impact cyberbullying and sexting can have on their lives. Topics discussed include: the impact of bullying in schools, current bullying trends, social media risks, sexting, predators, legal issues, and more.
Expert Instructor Clayton Cranford is a law enforcement professional based in Southern California and one of the nation's leading educators on social media and child safety. Author of "Parenting in a Digital World," Clayton has more than 20 years of teaching experience and has been a featured speaker at the National Conference on Bullying, the Southwest Conference on Human Trafficking, the California Association of Crime Prevention Officers, and the National Association of School Resource Officers. Also presenting is Nicholas VanEffen, Criminal Investigator, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Session 4: Building Self-Confidence and Relating with Peers
Tuesday, October 25
6:30-8:00pm
Parents are the most influential people in the lives of children and adolescents, providing powerful messages and dynamic interactions that shape their self-identity and personality. In this way, each day at home is an opportunity for parents to provide their child with lessons in taking responsibility, navigating difficulties and failure, as well as teaching others how they want to be treated. This class will demonstrate the power of daily routines and interactions, exploring how healthy communication, boundaries, and responsibility help teens become successful young adults.
Expert Instructor Dr. Ryan Roemer, Psy.D., is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and staff member at Mission Hospital Laguna Beach. A leader in adolescent mental health and wellness services, Dr. Roemer is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University with specialized training in Family Psychology, Developmental Transitions, and Pediatric Integrative Health.
Tickets for one adult and one child (age 11/up) are $55 for all four session or $20 for an individual session. Dinner is provided at each session. Classes will take place at the Laguna Beach Community & Susi Q Center located at 380 Third Street in Laguna Beach.
If you are interested in supporting or partnering with Laguna Beach Community Coalition, please contact Marci Medick, MPA, Community Development Specialist, at 949-499-7292 or via email by clicking here.
