Children of Substance Abusers Learn Coping Skills
In 1993, Services to Overcome Drug Abuse Among Teenagers developed Project HELP (Healing and Empowering with Love and Play), a comprehensive program for children of substance abusers in southern New Jersey.
Project HELP provided structured support groups designed to teach children self-protection and coping skills.
The project was part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Jersey Health Initiatives national program.
Key Results
Project HELP:
- Facilitated 125 children's groups at 61 locations, reaching 1,102 children of substance abusers (COSAs) ages 4 to 17.
- Supplied 400 parents/caregivers with information on coping and discipline skills.
- Provided Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) to teach proper disciplining and communication techniques to 266 parents.
- Trained New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) and Family Court personnel in two southern New Jersey counties, Gloucester and Burlington.