Workshops for Faculty and Administrators

Prevention is every faculty member's responsibility. Some teachers may hesitate to get involved in this area of a student's life. While understandable, this runs counter to a community-wide commitment to prevention. Teachers (and students) are the eyes and ears for counselors. They are in a position to see early warning signs of possible substance abuse, and it would be a shame to miss out on the valuable contribution they can make. Often, a teacher's discomfort is simply the result of feeling that he or she doesn't have the information or tools necessary to discuss these issues and intervene with confidence.

FCD faculty workshops provide teachers and administrators with the skills and knowledge they need to become valuable members of the school's prevention team. Our work varies widely in its depth and breadth. Almost without exception, we meet with faculty at least once during our teaching visits to a school. We also lead multi-day workshops for schools wishing to provide more intensive prevention education and training. Our faculty programs cover:

Basic drug education to provide a common understanding of issues and definitions
New views of prevention: what the research says
Common myths, pitfalls and obstacles concerning prevention
How schools can inadvertently condone student alcohol and other drug use
Ways to encourage non-use
What every teacher can do to contribute to the health of the community
What to do if you suspect a student is in trouble
Intervention training.

While virtually all of FCD's workshops are well-suited for faculty education and in-service days, the following presentations have been developed specifically for teachers and administrators:

Re-Living Adolescence
An exploration of how one's own attitudes about alcohol and other drugs developed and may be influencing policy-making, discipline, and student-teacher relationships.

Establishing Intervention Teams
Training for faculty, administrators, and health and guidance professional who wish to set up a formal intervention team to help students both before and after drug use becomes a serious problem. We analyze options in light of the individual school's needs, goals, and policies.

Supporting the Student Who Chooses Not to Use
A successful prevention plan requires a school climate that encourages and supports students who choose to abstain from alcohol and other drug use. This seminar presents various models for creating a climate of non-use and validating students who wish to lead drug-free lives.

Helping Students Who Are Growing Up in Homes with Substance Abuse
This workshop addresses the signs and symptoms of children growing up in families with substance abuse problems, and identifies ways adults can help.