16 November 2006

New parenting booklet expected to be a huge success

Parents in the Eastern Bay are encouraged to get their hands on a new booklet designed to help them communicate with their teenagers on a range of issues.

The Parent Pack, developed by the Whakatane YATA (Youth Access to Alcohol), was launched by more than 40 people in Whakatane earlier today.

The pack includes information on hosting teen parties, drugs and alcohol, school stand-downs and suspensions, sexual health. Safe driving, bullying and violence, as well as contacts and local resources for further support.

“It’s great to see such wide community support for this project. We all believe it’s going to be an excellent resource for parents that will encourage open communication lines between them and their teenagers,” says YATA spokesperson Richard Hamer. “It’s not about telling parents what to do, it’s about putting tools, guidelines and relevant information in one place and making it accessible to parents through high schools, local organisations, councils, Iwi providers, Marae and youth centres.”

The three Eastern Bay mayors support the pack 100%.

“Life is about experimentation with trials and errors. We can’t protect young people from every situation but we can support them and provide them with tools and guidance to make informed, positive decisions,” says Opotiki Mayor John Forbes/Kawerau Mayor Malcolm Campbell/Mayor of Whakatane Colin Holmes. “No doubt parents will appreciate the resource and we are pleased to see the range of organisations involved in its development.”

Eight and a half thousand dollars in funding from ACC has been allocated to developing the resource with smaller contributions from ALAC and the Eastern Bay Road safety Committee. Toi Te Ora – Public Health is evaluating the resource and a report is expected mid-March 2007.

Parents Packs will be distributed through schools, social and health service providers, police and the three local councils

ENDS

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