`SHARING EXPERIENCES

On Monday, February 18th CETPA Clubhouse’s 16 year old Peer Mentor, Ana G., and Case

Manager, Jeniffer Manon, were invited by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health &

Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) to participate in a Technical Assistance Day for all Child

and Adolescent Mental Health Clubhouses.

The event took place in the Pineland CSB S.H.I.N.E.’s

Clubhouse in Statesboro, in which both DR3AMR’S Clubhouse

representatives delivered a training, that provided guidance, and

strategies on how to implement adolescent peer support services in

the clubhouses.

During this occasion, the DR3AMR’S Clubhouse representatives had the opportunity to creatively

showcase real life illustrations of past experiences within the program, and how they have

contributed into shaping us, overcoming obstacles, and improving our services through by using

dramatization and performing a skit. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation Ana and Jennifer shared

techniques that have successfully worked at CETPA when recruiting, preparing and retaining

Peer Mentors in the program. This process includes different activities such as project

involvement/participation, leadership opportunities, recognition, efforts and others.

Thank you Dr. Henderson-Smith and Dr. Pearson for the privilege of participating in this event and allowing us to share our experiences.

Dec 2012-Feb 2013

“My experience at the training in Statesboro, Georgia was really fun and I

enjoyed it so much. Having the attention of people, and being able to help them

and prepare them to have better job skills is what I love the most. Things like

this is what I enjoy doing.

I would love to repeat this experience again.”

By Ana G

“My experience”

“YOU CAN ACHIEVE IF YOU BELIEVE”

www.cetpa.org

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VALENTINES DAY

&

CANDY GRAMS

For three consecutive years during the month of February, to commemorate the day of “Love and Friendship,” also known as, Valentine’s Day, the CETPA DREAMR’S engaged in a fascinating project to share their appreciation and warm wishes through Candy grams!

Congratulations

Jose, Aneth, Jesus, Yessica, and Maria!

Most Creative designs

Clubhouse members take advantage of the ‘season of love’ to share their artistic and expressive talents as well as their affection and appreciation to those they care about by creating handmade Valentines cards. The Clubhouse members also learn a little about business by selling their thoughtful, original and creative designs (along with “goodie” chocolate bags) to those who also want to show their love to others. In order to reward the hard work, dedication and creativity of our youth, the clubhouse held an special family night event in which the teen’s work was recognized publicly, parents were able to enjoy some of their kids master pieces, as well as great hearty home-made snacks that our teens put together for their parents. Lastly, five clubhouse members were awarded with gift cards for making the most out of this experience.

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Parent’s Workshop on Communication

During the months of December and January, CETPA DR3AMR’S Clubhouse in collaboration with David Mitchell, MATURE Program’s instructor, hosted two parent meetings covering several topics of interest to our families. Throughout the sessions, parents learned the importance of healthy communication skills and how their teen’s perception can affect their relationships, interactions and their reactions. Through interactive activities, role-playing and open discussions the instructor lead the parents to understand the following equation:

“Events + Issues + Hidden Issues= Conflict.”

The recommendation is for parents

to be patient, gain their teens’ trust, and communicate conscientiously,

since there may be hidden

unresolved conflicts that parents

may not be aware of, that therefore

would limit their ability to help or

understand their kids, as well as

possibly triggering negative

responses. A Teen may be bullied, or

undergoing anxiety by social

pressures or complexes, however, if

a parent is not conscious or

educated in this situation, by

incorrectly communicating or “adding pressures” to their teens, it may result in them reacting aggressively.

A complimentary piece of information that the parents learned through these classes is in regards to “Language”. According to a study shared, verbal statements encompass only 7% of the message that is being delivered, whereas non-verbal cues such as tone of voice and volume equals 38%, but most importantly, body language is responsible for 55% of the message that is being communicated. By understanding these concepts, the parents agreed to be more mindful of the way in which they communicate with their teens, as well as how to express their needs assertively and respectfully in order to understand their children even better. During the last session on the importance of nonverbal communication, the instructor taught the parents the foundation of a having a healthy relationship with their teens. Many times what is unsaid speaks louder than words, and being present does not necessarily mean being present to the child. Quality time, showing we care, and being interested in the world that surrounds them is something that the child experiences and observes, not something that he is being told. It is not about simply being providers of our kids; it is about being their supporters. Essentially, the form of language that transcends all difficulties and challenges in our relationships is the language of “LOVE”. Despite any cultural, generational or educational differences, love builds strong bonds that surpass all obstacles.

Love is the Key

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Our main salon was full of lights, Christmas decorations,

great food, surprises and lots of smiles. The most exciting

part of this experience was sharing two hours with our

teens and their family members, celebrating the good

times lived during 2012, and looking forward to even

better things in 2013.

Santa Claus was also our special guest for a second year

in a row. Santa spent a great deal of time with the younger

crowd playing games, taking and enjoying the surprise

of new presents.

“What a joyous night!”

Christmas Spirit

The Christmas spirit was present once again on the last ‘Family Night’

of 2012 which was held on Tuesday, December 18th in our Clubhouse.

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sexuality

SEXUALITY

Every Wednesday Amanda Geller and Alyse Lopez-Salm from the Rollins

School of Public Health at Emory University, meet with clubhouse members to

talk about sexuality. During the 16 week program, they are covering topics

such as

PUBERTY Reproduction

Adolecense HIV/AIDS STI’s

ADOLECENT PREGNANCY

Contraception

Abortion

Through videos, discussions and testimonies, our young people receive

guidance on these topics that always generates curiosity and controversy.

Educational Parents Meeting Our Counselor Renzo Gobea M.S. LAPC, NCC, who is our

SAMHSA funded ACRA Project Director (Adolescent Community

Reinforcement Approach), coordinated an educational meeting

with the parents of our clubhouse members about “Strategies to

help young people to make good decisions”.

In this interactive meeting the parents discussed what is the best

way to reach agreements with our youths, and which strategies

would work for them and which would not.

More than a dozen parents actively participated in the event and

are now preparing for a second session to be held soon.

The clubhouse staff was invited to participate in an event hosted

by the Mexican Consulate during the last week of February.

During the celebration of the “Day of Defensive Youthful

Offenders” we talked about the services offered by the clubhouse

and the number of projects we are developing.

Several people were interested in what we are doing and

received printed information about other services offered by

CETPA such as mental health, prevention, virtual clinic, etc.

MEXICAN

CONSULATE

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INTERVIEW ?

Q: What’s your name?

R: Claudia Daniel

Q: What is your background and where are you from?

R: I am originally from Bolivia, Raised in Virginia, USA.

Q: What is your profession? What made you want to choose your

specialization?

R: I am a Substance abuse counselor.

While I served in the United States Navy I was given the opportunity

to attend a special school to learn addiction counseling. Personally,

my parents divorced because my dad consumed weed and I not liking

what that felt like, I decided that I wanted to make a difference.

Q: How did you find out about CETPA?

R: I met Dr. Mancini while attending a training in Georgia.

Q: What do you like most about working with teens?

R: That I can relax and not be so serious.

I try to relate and hope that my work with adults and kids will help

them improve their lives.

Q: What do you like about 7 CHALLENGES and what do you hope to

accomplish?

R: It’s a great way to work thru stages of changes, accomplish to

make change to kids or anyone.

? ?

?

Teaches psychology at university of

phoenix

Navy Hospital corpsman for 8 years

Retired

Working on Ph.D. doctorate (Doctor of philosophy)

Married for 13 years and has two kids

Has 2 sugar gliders and a German Shepherd

Loves helping people

Husband is a cop

By Cesar E.

About Claudia

FIELD TRIPS

Paintball

Sky Zone

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8

Urban Jungle

Indoor Mini golf

Nutcracker Ballet

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9

Airsoft battle

Battle Of

The bands

Christmas Parade

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Circus

Airplane Museum

Ice Skating