|
Juvenile
Review Board |
This
service provides an opportunity for children and adolescents arrested for
a misdemeanor to be diverted from the juvenile court system. This
program is also available to parents, guardians, and the school system for
students who are habitually truant from school, defiant of school rules,
or beyond the control of parental authority. In order for a juvenile to
avoid a police record, he or she must follow the recommended decision of
the Juvenile Review Board. Representatives on the Juvenile Review Board
includes police officers, social workers, school administrators, community
members, and representatives of the juvenile court system. |
Prevention
|
Substance
Abuse Prevention Education |
In
the local elementary school systems, AHM plays a role in the State of
Connecticut's mandate to educate children about the dangers of alcohol,
tobacco, and other drugs. This is accomplished through a coordinated
network of professionals including teachers, parents, state police
officers, and AHM staff. AHM's role is to support the implementation
of Drug and Violence Prevention Education Programs in kindergarten through
fifth grade, in addition to sponsoring the Connecticut State Police
D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program in sixth grade. Each
year AHM sponsors and pays for school assemblies on a range of topics that
focus either substance abuse prevention, violence prevention or both.
|
Substance
Abuse and Violence Prevention Task Force
|
Since 1986, a network of dedicated professionals, consumers, and youth
have worked together. Their concerted effort has resulted in
a regional community endeavor to mobilize resources that are aimed at
reducing or eliminating student substance abuse. The task force is
responsible for monitoring state and federal substance abuse prevention
grants. The group also coordinates a wide range of school-based and
community activities, such as school assemblies and parent workshops.
New volunteers are always being sought for this committee. |
Positive
Youth Development
|
"Lanterns"
-
An AHM Mentoring Program
|
The
"Lanterns" Mentoring Program provides a wonderful opportunity
for an adult in the community to volunteer their time to make a difference
in the life of a young person. Mentors meet with 4th and 5th grade
students one hour per week during school hours at Andover Elementary,
Hebron Elementary, or Elmer Thienes Elementary School in Marlborough.
During this time, the mentor and student can eat lunch, talk, play games,
and do crafts or other activities. Additional supervised events,
such as a kick-off party and holiday celebration, are offered several
times throughout the year.
Adult
applicants to the program are required to go through a personal interview
and background check. Once accepted as a mentor, volunteers are
trained in areas such as communication, session strategies, and
confidentiality. Additional support is provided throughout the
school year.
Mentoring
has been shown to be extremely effective in helping children to stay out
of trouble and have positive life outcomes. Studies have shown that
youth who are matched with a mentor demonstrate improved academic
performance, improved peer/family relationships, increased communication
skills, decreased drug abuse, and improved school attendance.
For more
information about the Lanterns Mentoring program, or to find out how you
can become involved, please contact program coordinator:
Laurie Larsen at
228-9488, or e-mail at:
lanternsmentoring@yahoo.com
|
|
AHM
Teen Center
|
Did
you know that the towns of Andover, Hebron, and Marlborough now have a
beautiful new regional Teen Center?
This
wonderful new center is located on 25 Pendleton Drive in Hebron, less than
a mile from RHAM. The Teen Center features games, including two pool
tables, fooz ball, air hockey, computer stations with internet, three
video game systems (X-Box 360 - Game Cube - Play Station 2), music, board
games, television, snack Shop and an area to relax with friends or do
homework. It is free of cost and available to all youth of middle and
high school age from the three towns. Once a signed registration sheet is
on file, teens may come as often or as little as they like.
This
program is designed to provide a safe environment for young people to have
fun with their peers. Teen Center Coordinator, Lindsey Karsmarski, plans
daily and weekend youth enrichment activities. Throughout the year
the teen center features events for youth and families, such as parties,
movie nights, game competitions, open mike nights, a student art gallery
showcase, and so much more.
The
Teen Center is open throughout the school year, Mondays through Friday
from 2:30 to 6:00 PM. Laidlaw Bus #10 is available, on a sign-up
basis, to drop off RHAM students after school and parents are responsible
for transportation home by 6:00 PM.
|
|
Peer
Youth Corps
|
A
partnership with RHAM High School and AHM Youth Services has made it
possible to fund and staff the newly created Peer Youth Corps. Under
the umbrella of the Youth Corps, the Peer Helpers and Peer Mediation
programs have flourished. Peer Helpers provides an opportunity for
adolescents to participate in community service projects and learn how to
be effective listeners and communicators. Peer Mediators provides
students with the skills to effectively reduce conflicts between their
peers. This nationwide movement of involving high school students in
the mediation process has been proven to effectively reduce or eliminate
potential acts of violence.
|
|
Project
Graduation
|
Throughout
the past decade, communities across America have joined forces to help
assure a safe and fun environment that is free of alcohol and drugs on
graduation night. In our three communities, AHM volunteers
coordinate a safe graduation party for RHAM High School seniors.
Activities are planned by students, teachers, and parents for this annual
AHM-sponsored tradition.
Project
Graduation coordinators are Peter and Joleen Yorio. For any
information please call AHM at 228-9488. |
Arts
and Culture
Summer
Youth Theater
|
One
of the goals of the Youth Services Bureau is to provide positive
opportunities for young people to explore the creative abilities within
themselves. Each year, the AHM Summer Youth Theater comes alive with
the exciting sounds of a Broadway musical. These sold-out
performances require the talents of a theatrical staff, volunteers, young
cast, and stage crew.
More
about Summer Youth Theater
|
Family
Resource Center
The
AHM Family Resource Center welcomes, respects, and encourages all
children and families, regardless of race, age, economic or marital
status. Programs are designed to enhance the unique strengths of
each individual child, parent, and family. In addition to the Family
Resource Center site at Gilead Hill Elementary School, AHM is most
appreciative to the Administration and Board of Education to have a
satellite program site now in the Marlborough Elementary School.
|
Parenting
Education and Workshops
|
Organized
to present relevant parenting information, workshops include positive
discipline, communicating with your children, strengthening families, and
various other topics. Parenting workshops, which use a video-based
curriculum, are offered annually in all three towns
|
|
Personalized
Home Visits |
According to the philosophy of this FREE national program, you as
parents are your child's first and most influential teachers. A
trained Parent Educator will visit your home once each month to talk to
you about your child's development, do an activity, and bring handouts
or other requested materials. All families living in Andover,
Hebron and Marlborough, with children ages Birth - Age 5 are eligible
for this service. For more information, call Becky Murray at
228-9488 or Laurie Larsen at 228-0871. |
|
Referrals |
Referrals
to AHM Youth Services', Birth to 3, or other appropriate agencies can be
made for various concerns. These may include issues directly
affecting a child's emotional, social, and physical development (for
example: divorce, substance abuse, mental health issues, ADHD, special
needs). Specific screenings with Birth to 3 can be arranged to
assess any potential developmental delays. |
|
Parent
and Child Play & Learn Groups |
Play
and Learn Groups start the
week of September 18th. Play & Learn groups offer readiness activities
to help children and families for children ages Birth-5 to prepare
for entry into public school. Groups are held at the AHM Family Resource
Center at Gilead Hill School on various mornings. Opportunities exist to
play interactively with your child, meet other parents, and learn more
about child development, in an atmosphere of fun and discovery. There
are still some openings, if you are interested, please call Laurie Larsen
at 228-0871. ahmfrc@hotmail.com
|
|
Parenting
Books, Tapes and Videos
|
Parenting
books, children's books, tapes, and videos can be borrowed for home use
during the play & learn sessions, or call 228-0871 to arrange a visit.
|
|
Preschool
Program |
AHM
Youth Services and Hebron Parks & Recreation runs a Preschool program,
KinderRHAMa
Preschool will begin for the school year on September 11th. This
program is a collaborative between AHM Youth Services, Hebron Parks and
Recreation, and RHAM High School and serves children ages 3 and 4 from the
towns of Andover, Hebron, and Marlborough. For more information, please
call 228-9488.
|
|
Training
for Childcare Providers |
Free
workshops are provided to family daycare providers on a quarterly basis.
Technical assistance is also available as needed. CPR, first aid,
and meds classes are also offered annually in late spring at a discounted
rate. If you would like to receive announcements of workshops, and
you are a local family daycare provider, please call Becky Murray at AHM
at 228-9488.
|
|
Resource
and Referral |
The
AHM Family Resource Center has compiled a directory of agencies and
organizations that can offer a wide variety of support and services when
needed. A local resources handbook is available upon request.
For more information, AHM
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER |
|
Positive
Youth Program
|
Designed
to support children in grades 4-6, positive youth activities help children
understand themselves and others better. A higher level of
self-awareness promotes better decision-making when confronted with
pressures. Workshops are held according to each elementary school's
needs, including such topics as conflict resolution, coping with peer
pressure, self-esteem building, and decision-making skills.
|
|
Parent
and Infant Group
|
For
parents and babies ages Birth to one year. Parents can bring their baby,
meet other parents, and talk about whatever issues they are facing.
Developmental and parenting information will be available in an informal,
friendly atmosphere. This group is free and is held at the AHM Family
Resource Room at Marlborough Elementary School, on Mondays, from
1:15-2:30, starting on September 25th for residents from
Andover, Hebron and Marlborough. Please call 228-9488 to register. |
|
Adult
Education
|
The
Family Resource Center collaborates with the Vernon Adult Education
Program, which teaches classes for ESL, GED, and Adult Basic Education.
Contact RHAM High School Guidance Department at 228-9446 or Vernon Adult
Education at 870-6048 for more information.
|
|
Local
Resources Handbook |
This
handbook includes descriptions of AHM Youth Services and Family Resource
Center programs, as well as a list of contacts for schools, local
organizations, places of worship, and other sources of service and
referral. If you would like a copy of this free handbook, call AHM
at 228-9488.
Family
Resource Center Quarterly Newsletter
|
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