Parent U will feature Shauna Tominey, Ph.D., Keynote Speaker on "Raising Healthy and Happy Children" plus workshops available for parents. RCASA will be on site to offer free resources and facilitate two workshops. Free childcare for gr. K-5, register@ https://www.reading.k12.ma.us/community/adult-and-community-education/

“Beautiful Boy” is a powerful, poignant and heartbreaking film, combining the memoirs of David Sheff and his son, Nic Sheff. A story of addiction told through the eyes of a father, a family’s struggle driven by fear, heartache, determination, hope and unconditional love. If you see the film, check out this discussion guide to open conversations in your family.

Thank you to everyone that participated in our annual coalition meeting. This event featured coalition highlights from the past year. Sherri VandenAkker, RCASA Board of Directors, delivered the keynote entitled “What I Wish I Knew: When Someone You Love Suffers From A Substance Use Disorder”.

Thank you to all 80 adults who visited the Hidden in Plain Sight exhibit this September.The initiative uses an educational display of a teenager’s bedroom to test parents’ knowledge of common household items that can be substance abuse warning signs. The display was designed to encourage honest and candid discussion of the topics of underage drinking and substance abuse. Tour guides were on hand to guide participants and answer questions. Special thanks to the Mission of Deeds, Burbank YMCA and Reading Police Department for their support.

A photo of Sherri VandenAkker, RCASA Board Member accepting the Reading Unites for Recovery National Recovery Month Award from Chideha M. Ohuoha, M.D., M.P.H., CAPT (USPHS), Director, SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at the annual luncheon in Washington, D.C. on September 6, 2018.

RCASA is accepting written submissions from Reading Public School teachers from grades 6-12, current high school students, and RMHS alumni on what they would tell their 13-year-old selves. The writing prompt is “Share a sentence or brief statement that address the struggles you might have faced in middle school or message of hope, support or encouragement as if talking to your younger self… If you are interested, click below to participate

RCASA partners with many other coalitions in our region to share info, exchange resources, and co-host events. If you want to learn more about coalitions in other communities. There are coalitions that focus on a wide variety of health initiatives. Click the link below to search by region and community.