Parenting Resources

Parents need just as much guidance and support as youth do.

Parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. But sometimes, they need a little extra help dealing with the challenges that arise. They need the opportunity to learn effective parenting strategies, build skills, and discuss their issues with other parents.

Friends of Youth offers several parenting education classes throughout our community that provide the tools parents need to encourage the development of strong healthy families.

STEP (Systemic Training for Effective Parenting) classes:
Parents of Teens (Open to parents of 13-19 year-olds)
Curriculum: Move from conflict to connection with your teen Reduce power struggles and acting out behaviors Create mutual respect and build responsibility Help boost your teen's self-esteem Practical strategies to deal with sex, drugs, and alcohol
Issaquah Location Fall: September 30, 2009 - November 18, 2009 Winter: January 13, 2010 - March 10, 2010 (no class on 2/17/2010) Spring: April 14, 2010 - June 2, 2010 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Duvall Location Fall: October 14, 2009 - December 9th 2009 (no class on 11/25/2009) Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Parents of 2-12 year-olds
Curriculum: Positive ways to discipline your children How to give children room to make choices and mistakes How to turn anxiety about parenting into confidence Practical & workable skills you can start using today
Issaquah Location Fall: October 1, 2009 - November 19, 2009 Winter: January 14, 2010 - March 11, 2010 (no class on 2/18/2010) Spring: April 15, 2010 - June 3, 2010 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Duvall Location Winter: January 20, 2010 - March 10, 2010 (no class on 2/17/2010) Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
These classes are offered at the following offices: Issaquah Office - 414 Front St. N, Issaquah, WA 98027 Duvall Office - 26420 NE Virginia Street, Suite 2, Duvall, WA 98019 The fee is $60 for individuals and $80 for couples (scholarships are available). For class availability and times, please contact Casey at casey@friendsofyouth.org or you can click here.

Best Practice Substance Abuse Prevention Parenting Series:
Guiding Good Choices (Open to parents of 9-14-year-olds)
Curriculum: Getting Started: How to Prevent Drug Use (local data and brain research) Setting Guidelines: How to set healthy beliefs & clear standards Managing Conflict: How to Control & Express Anger Involving Everyone: How to Strengthen Family Bonds Avoiding Trouble: How to Say No to Drugs (youths attend this session)
Staying Connected with Your Teen (Open to parents of 14-17-year-olds)
Curriculum: Program Overview & Teen Development Family Problems & Making Decision Creating Family Policies & Teen Involvement Communication & Managing Conflict (teens attend this session) Negotiation & Refusal Skills (teens attend this session)
These research-based prevention programs are offered free of charge to families residing in Riverview, Issaquah and Snoqualmie Valley School Districts. For class availability, times and location, contact Phoebe at phoebe@friendsofyouth.org. These programs are sponsored by King County’s Alcohol & Other Drug Prevention Program, with funds from the State of Washington - Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery, King County Community Organizing Program, Greater Issaquah Youth & Family Network, Snoqualmie Valley Community Network and local PTSAs. Note: Donations of $30.00 will be accepted to cover the fee of the Family Guide.

Other classes:
Please check back later. We are always adding new classes to our list.

Substance Abuse Prevention Web Sites for Parents

TheAntiDrug.com is a service of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, offering a wide range of resources, information and facts for parents. (En Español : LaAntidroga.com)

Family.samhsa.gov is a service of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, created to support the efforts of parents and other caring adults in promoting mental health and preventing the use of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs among 7-to-18-year-olds.