Tara’s work is to prevent youth substance use and she supports youth-led and youth-serving programming that builds young people’s resilience and strengthens youth leadership on issues of public health, restorative practices, and social justice.

This discussion-based training will cover how parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and older siblings can talk to the children and young adults in their lives to reduce the risk of underage drinking and other substance use. We will provide the information and resources needed to address these issues early and often. It’s never too early (and it’s never too late!) to start these conversations or learn more and develop skills to continue and strengthen communication about substances. Together, we can encourage people under 21 to remain substance-free during the most critical years of brain development.

The G.E.A.R. Parent Network, a program of Crisis & Counseling Centers, is the place where Gaining Empowerment Allows Results. G.E.A.R. is run by parents for parents providing services for parents of children with emotional and behavioral health concerns.

Through parent-to-parent sharing of experiences and knowledge, G.E.A.R. Parent Network empowers parents of children with behavioral health needs to build on their family’s strengths and to advocate for their family’s needs.