Whistler will host a special forum at the beginning of next month to explore how to help children and families reach their potential for a healthy future.
The Communities That Care workshop will focus on identifying risk factors and laying out a strategy for dealing with them.
It is open to all community leaders and anyone else interested in the health of Whistler’s children, youth, families and community.
It will be held at the Spruce Grove Field House on Feb. 8 and 9, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The goal is to reduce five problem behaviors affecting youth. They are alcohol and drug abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school drop out and violence.
It is also hoped that the CTC Process will help strengthen the working relationships amongst service providers, prioritize approaches, and maximize the use of resources.
Squamish embraced the CTC program after the death of Bob McIntosh. He went to investigate a party at a neighbour’s home and was beaten to death by some partygoers.
The workshop leader will be Jan Sprow, who has provided support for the Squamish program.
Participants will learn about:
• Protective factors that buffer young people from exposure to risk and promote healthy development;
• Risk factors that increase the likelihood that young people will become involved in substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school dropout and violence;
• Key phases and tasks, key outcomes and benefits of the Communities That Care process;
• Roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholder groups;
• Leadership skills, group dynamics, effective group decision-making, consensus building and problem solving skills;
• How to apply the social development strategy in our community;
• Development of a shared vision for the future of the community’s children that becomes a magnet for change in the community.
For more information contact Deanne Zeidler at 604-932-3202 or Christine Buttkus at 604-932-7543.
There is no charge for this workshop and lunch, refreshments and materials will be provided.
R.S.V.P. to Whistler Community Services Society by fax at 604-932-0113 or by e-mail to wcss@telus.net by Feb. 1.
