Parent Resources
This page has links to downloadable files, other websites, and meetings that provide support. and we’ve added a new section on resources for COVID-19 and the school and community shut down. Please scroll down to find all.
The Wellness Wheel — Bringing Wellness to Our Town
Tips on why Wellness is vital, and lists of community resources.
Through its Wellness Initiative, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has created a resource that promotes wellness for those with behavioral health conditions by motivating individuals, organizations, and communities to take action and work toward improved quality of life, heart health, and increased years of life. Brookfield Cares has added additional information and resource links.
Click here to download the guide.
COVID-19 & Shutdown
A Family Guide to COVID-19: Questions & Answers for Parents, Grandparents & Children
William Haseltine answers tough questions about COVID-19 honestly, with equal measures of clarity and compassion. As our understanding of CCOVID-19 evolves, so too will this resource. If you purchase, you will be given entry to a password protected section of the site. There, you can download subsequent editions freely, so you can be certain to have the most up to date answers to the most critical COVID-19 questions of the day.
William A. Haseltine, PhD, has an active career in science, business, and philanthropy. He is known for his pioneering work on cancer, HIV/AIDS, and genomics. He was a professor at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health and founder of its Division of Biochemical Pharmacology and Division of Human Retrovirology. He has founded twelve biotechnology companies, including Human Genome Sciences, and is the author of several books. Click here to gain online access.
Additional COVID-19 Resources – click on the links to access
School’s Out: A Parents’ Guide for Meeting the Challenge During the COVID-19 Pandemic — with list of additional resources at end
NYU Langone Health
Talking with Children about Coronavirus Disease 2019
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus
NPR 3-minute audio
How teachers can talk to children about coronavirus disease
UNICEF
Racism • Inclusion • BLM
The recent national events and conversations about racism, anti-racism, inclusion and Black Lives Matters has prompted us to provide relevant resources for parents and children. Here are some. Click her for a more complete list.
A Parent’s Guide to Black Lives Matter
Childcare platform Yoopies UK has created a free, downloadable guide for parents. Focusing on the Black Lives Matter movement, A Parent’s Guide to Black Lives Matter is designed to provide an easy-to-use resource to help parents start these important, but challenging, conversations with children of all ages.
Created to be family-friendly, the guide includes resources, tips, and advice to help teach children about racial inequality, racial hierarchies, and white privilege in modern-day society. It also includes advice and guidance on how we can combat racism today. Click here to download the guide.
Anti-Racism for Kids: An Age-by-Age Guide to Fighting Hate
Published by Parents.com, a discussion of how parents can shield their children from—and shepherd them through—our changing world. Click here to access.
Additional Resources – click on the links to access
- What exactly is a microaggression? A Vox Media report
- How to talk to your children about Black Lives Matter. A BBC Bitesize Primary Parents’ Audio Survival Guide
- What is Racism? What does “Black Lives Matter” mean? Powerpoint from the Grange Primary School in London, England
- Everyday words and phrases that have racist connotations. A CNN report
For parents and younger children
- How to Talk to Kids About Race ( video from The Atlantic)
- Talking to Kids About Racism, Early and Often (The New York Times)
- They’re Not Too Young to Talk About Race (The Children’s Community School, Philadelphia)
- Raising Race Conscious Children (website)
- Engaging My Child: Parent Tip Tool—Uplifting Families Through Healthy Communication About Race (American Psychological Foundation)
Talk It Out
Parents and caretakers in need of help with the stress and increased needs resulting from caring for their children during the COVID-19 crisis are invited to call the state’s new “Talk It Out” hotline to receive assistance.
Call 1-833-258-5011 or visit www.talkitoutct.com.
C.A.R.E.S. Hope and Support Group Virtual Meetings
This is a weekly gathering for parents, grandparents, guardians, relatives and others with children or loved ones affected by substance use and abuse or other at-risk behaviors. This is a forum to share experiences and information.
Respecting the current social distancing guidelines, the Support Group meetings are now virtual.
For more information, email: info@thecaresgroup.org
*There is NO charge for this group.
Brookfield Parent Support Network
For parents and caregivers concerned about their kids who struggle with anxiety, depression and/or emotional dysregulation. Free, confidential, and informal monthly meetings.
Contact brookfieldpsn@ymhproject.org for more information.
Downloadable Files
A Parent’s Guide to 10 Core Attributes of Children Who Thrive
Based on the research of Dr. Ron Taffel, this guide discusses attributes that can build the foundations of strong character in our children. Dr. Taffel’s books are also great resources.
Time-to-Talk Talk Kit
What to say, and tips on answering tough questions.
From Partnership for Drug-Free America.
Time-to-Talk Kit – Military Edition
Written specifically for Military families.
From Partnership for Drug-Free America.
Parent Talk Kit
Time for talking and what to say to prevent drug and alcohol abuse.
From Partnership for Drug-Free America.
Drug and Alcohol Fact Sheet
Parents are the most effective resource, and leverage point, in preventing and reducing adolescent and young adult drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.
From Partnership for Drug-Free America.
Preventing Teen Abuse of Prescription Drugs Fact Sheet
Information that every parent should be aware of on how to educate themselves and their children about the dangers of prescription drugs.
From Partnership for Drug-Free America.
Marijuana Talk Kit
What you need to know to talk to your teen about marijuana.
From Partnership for Drug-Free America.
6 Parenting Practices
Help reduce the chances your child will develop a drug or alcohol problem.
From Partnership for Drug-Free America.
Drug Guide for Parents
Learn the facts to keep your teen safe. Includes street names, photos, how the drugs are used or abused, what teens have heard, and more.
From Partnership for Drug-Free America.
Start Talking Before They Start Drinking
Learn the facts to keep your teen safe. Includes street names, photos, how the drugs are used or abused, what teens have heard, and more.
From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2020 Freshman Forum Presentation
Review the presentation that Brookfield Cares gave at the March, 2020 Freshman Forum. It includes key results from the 2019 Student Attitudes & Behaviors Survey as well as suggestions on what parents can do and where to look for help.
Websites
Keep Connected offers all kinds of families ideas, activities, and experiences to help build strong family relationships. Their goal is to strengthen family relationships to help kids be and become their best selves.
The Keep Connected program is brought to you by Search Institute.
HealthyChildren.org is a web site from the American Academy of Pediatrics committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
Positive Discipline of Connecticut promotes and encourages the development of life skills and respectful relationships in families, schools, and businesses in our local communities. They offer classes to parents, caregivers, educators, and youth development workers, teaching how to raise a child using Positive Discipline skills.
Lives in the Balance is an online resource that aims to provide vital, accessible resources and programs to caregivers of behaviorally challenging kids.
Stop IMPAIRED Driving works cooperatively to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce traffic-related healthcare and economic costs resulting from impaired driving (alcohol and other drugs).
School Support Links
P.A.W.S
Huckleberry Hill Elementary School is committed to creating a student-centered learning community. Part of that commitment is P.A.W.S.
P.A.W.S. defines the behavior expectations that all students and all adults follow so that we can build and sustain a positive learning environment in our school. Click here to learn more about P.A.W.S.