Parent Connection Is Reaching Out, Giving Back

By John Voket

When a parent is suddenly confronted with the fact that their own child, or a child they know, is hooked on drugs or alcohol, the options to provide immediate help are limited.

But in Newtown, a unique resource is available to parents — the Parent Connection. When drugs or alcohol take hold of a young person, especially the variety of highly addictive drugs available to young people here in Newtown, founders Dorrie Carolan and Donna DeLuca spring into action.

Working primarily on cellphones from wherever they may be when a call for help comes in, this lean but responsive team goes to work and can often help parents get their child placed into an intervention or rehabilitation program within hours.

But beyond the immediate help Ms Carolan and Ms DeLuca can provide on an individual basis, they also are committed to reach out to parents and anyone who works with young people to provide vital information that could help prevent a child from ever participating in this potentially life-threatening activity.

Parent Connection’s outreach began in 2003 with its first public forum, which was convened because of the tragic drug-related death of a young Newtown person. Today, the group conducts free public forums quarterly, and has stocked a Resource Lending Library where the public can borrow print and multimedia materials free of charge.

The organization recently formed “Embrace,” a hope and support group that meets weekly for parents and caregivers looking for a confidential venue to air questions and concerns regarding substance use or abuse by a loved one. This regular drop-in session has served more that 120 families from the greater Newtown area in just its first few months.

Their newest endeavor, a Grandparents Support Group also meets weekly to specifically support grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.

A Bereavement Group offers monthly meetings for those who have lost a loved one due to the catastrophic effects of substance use or abuse.

And the organization’s prestigious Parent University is the Parent Connection’s first attempt at bringing a large number of speakers together to give the community a choice of workshops that focus on strengthening families and empowering parents and caregivers.

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is planning to help kickoff this year’s event. This first Parent University, dubbed the “Graduate School of Parentology,” commences Saturday, March 29, from 8 am to 1 pm, at Newtown Middle School.

The course provides a unique opportunity for parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, and caregivers to spend an informative morning becoming educated and empowered nurturers of children in all stages of development.

Longtime Parent Connection supporter and board member Kevin Suckow is facilitating a workshop titled, “The New Meaning of WWW: Has the World Become the World Wide Worry?” Mr Suckow is a Microsoft executive and expert in the field of information technology, who is planning a must-know parental guide to ensuring Internet safety for children of all ages. Learn the dos and don’ts regarding protecting your children from the troubles of this timely trend.

Other workshops for this year’s Parent University include:

“Inside Your Child’s Head: A Neurological and Psychiatric Perspective” with John G. Gelinas, Jr, MD, and Martin Kremenitzer, MD.

Dr Gelinas is promising an enlightened professional perspective on the unique learning and behavioral issues that accompany ADD, ADHD, autism, and other pediatric neurological syndromes from a prominent pediatric neurologist and pediatric psychiatrist.

“What’s Residing in Your Medicine Cabinet?” is hosted by Rich Guibbiotti, registered pharmacist, Newtown Drug Center.

Mr Guibbiotti thinks parents will be amazed at the hidden dangers lurking in everyday “over the counter” medications and prescription drugs found in the average home. And he will help parents learn how some children are using and abusing them.

“Everything You Need to Know About the Teenage Culture (And a Bunch of Stuff You Might Not Want to Know)” will feature Liz Jorgensen, CADC, director of Insight Counseling in Ridgefield.

This workshop will explore the most current research on the effects of marijuana and alcohol on the developing teen brain and help parents make good decisions about issues involving substance use. Signs, symptoms, dangers, and interventions will be discussed.

“The Pediatrician Is In” is hosted by Robert Golenbock, MD, Center for Pediatric Medicine

Attendees can speak to this local pediatrician about the most pressing topics involving raising healthy children.

While the Parent Connection has grown in its scope of service, much of the work done until a recent temporary donation of an office was provided, was carried out in Ms Carolan and Ms DeLuca’s homes. And now that temporary space is being sold, which is forcing The Parent Connection to reach out for assistance itself.

“We need space,” Ms Carolan said. “While we currently occupy an entirely donated office at 115 Mt Pleasant Road, we will be losing this space within six to nine months.”

To expand the group’s service to the community even further, the Parent Connection hopes to appeal to someone in the community who can provide a convenient, dedicated space from which to operate.

“If we need to afford rent and utilities, we would deplete our current meager funds within a very short period of time,” Ms DeLuca explained.

If that space became available, expansion options would include holding a Young People’s AA meeting; offering transition support for those young people who have been involved in treatment programs and need relapse prevention and continued assistance maintaining sobriety.

Since the organization is comprised solely of volunteers, and relies on contributions from local businesses, other benevolent organizations, and contributions from the general public, the group has also mounted its first mailing campaign. A bright flier and return donation envelope is currently circulating to thousands of households in Newtown by mail.

“We hope people will realize the community desperately needs help addressing the many families who are touched by substance abuse, especially among people as young as elementary school age,” Ms Carolan said. “No donation is too small. Imagine how many young lives we might potentially save or change if every person in town just gave a dollar?”

For more information about the Parent Connection, call the Parent Connection office at 270-1600, or click on NewtownParentConnection.org.