There are some transitions in life that are just worth paying attention to, and maybe even preparing for.  A youngster’s entry into daycare or kindergarten often signifies his or her introduction to a world bigger than his own house and family.  S/he’s expected to behave differently than at home, and the little one will frequently bring home words, ideas and behaviors that are less than popular with parents or caregivers.

Moving up from kindergarten to first grade means really beginning to learn to read, write and count.  Along about that time come losing teeth, tying shoes, staying overnight with friends, and all that goes with beginning to grow away from the tiny little nuclear circle.

For many kids in Cortland County, the giant step from elementary school to Junior High is really significant because it means leaving a smaller, more personal elementary school and entering a brand new building, complete with new expectations, new rules, new standards, new classmates; it’s a whole new culture. Just as it isn’t wise to simply “surprise” a child unexpectedly by dropping him into kindergarten unprepared, it makes a lot of sense to sharpen our skills as parents and caregivers and lay some solid groundwork for this major milestone, because it brings with it adolescence, the most significant physical, emotional and social changes our kids will ever go through again.

“Strengthening Families 10-14” is a seven-session family program developed at Iowa State University Extension Center, designed specifically for preparing families together for this important transition. The program helps families reduce risk factors found in today’s world that expose youth to dangerous situations, and contribute to dramatic increases in substance use and antisocial activities.

Twenty years of surveys done in Cortland schools show over and over again that between 6^th  and 8^th grade there is a huge jump in the initiation of risky behaviors, including—but not limited to--substance use, and from 8^th through 12^th grade, students’ self-reports of these risky behaviors increase steadily.  That kind of consistent evidence tells us that something changes dramatically for kids just after 6^th grade, at this crucial change, so it makes sense for families—caregivers and youth together—to be sure they have their “field packs” of tools ready and in top form before they’re really needed.

7V CASA, Inc., as a founding member of Cortland Area Communities That Care Coalition, is planning to offer “Strengthening Families 10-14” in Cortland County elementary school districts early in 2010 to assist families in preparing for the upcoming challenges their young people are bound to face.  Sessions are held once weekly for 7 weeks. They start at 5:30 PM with supper, so busy parents don’t have to fix a meal before attending.

Following that, parents and youth meet in separate groups for the first hour and together as families during the second hour to practice skills, play games, and do family projects.  The sessions are highly interactive and involve role-playing, skill practice, discussion, learning games and family projects.  Families have fun together while they practice skills that will be useful for a lifetime.

Trained facilitators conduct the sessions which wrap up at 8:00 PM to allow families to get home at a reasonable hour.  When necessary, child care is provided onsite for younger siblings.  Every effort is made to keep these important sessions attend-able for even the busiest families.  At this point, we plan to offer the sessions in 2010 free of charge to any families wanting to attend.

“Strengthening Families 10-14” is a wonderful opportunity to sharpen your family’s skills, meet other parents headed for the same changes, and spend some valuable growing and developing time together with your youth.  To get a taste of the experience, we’re scheduling an actual first-week session for families at local elementary schools during October and early November.  Be watching for notices announcing times and dates for your area.

For more information on this effective, enjoyable program, log on to http://www.extension.iastate.edu/sfp/index.php  For more specifics on the programs locally, contact us at 7V CASA, Inc. by phone at 607-756-8970 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Joan Stivers is Executive Director of 7 Valleys Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.