Prevention Programs

Prevention programs aim to spare individuals the pain, loneliness and despair of alcoholism and chemical dependency. At Hanley Center, we believe it's possible to address issues before they become problems. Hanley Center offers an array of research-based prevention programs that meet the needs of parents and caregivers, older adults and children age six and older.

Hanley Center understands the importance of education. Understanding the disease of addiction empowers people to prevent its onset. Prevention works -- and is another way for Hanley Center to help the people and communities that have embraced us since the day we opened our doors. Communities need to learn about the disease of addiction as well as the healthy coping skills that can prevent it from taking over a person's life.

For more information about prevention programs at Hanley Center please contact the Prevention Department by calling 561-841-1213.


Kids' Place and Teens' Place

Kids' Place and Teens' Place are Hanley Center Prevention programs designed to serve Kids ages 6-12 and Teens ages 13-17 who have a parent(s) or family members dealing with alcohol and/or substance abuse issues or is in recovery from chemical dependency. Approximately one in four children (19 million nationally) are exposed before age 18 to familial alcohol dependence (alcoholism), alcohol abuse, or both. (source: http://www.thechildrensplaceprogram.org/statistical_data.php)

The free Kids' Place and Teens' Place Prevention programs helps kids and teens better understand that chemical dependency is a disease and recognize how they may have been affected by addiction and the risks of a child genetically predisposed to the disease. The Hanley Center final session joins the family in an evening of fun activities full of positive family interaction and has 10 sessions total. The Community Program consists of six 60-minute sessions in a designated community location.

Programs are offered in a variety of settings including the Hanley Center campus, schools, community centers and religious facilities. School counselors, teachers, religious professionals, family members, and community leaders identify children who are appropriate for the program and refer them to attend. Participants cover topics including: Addiction, Feelings (identifying and building self-esteem), Communicating Feelings, Safe People (family roles and family rules, friends), Coping Techniques, Problem Solving, Conflict Resolution, and Treatment and Recovery. Small groups offer participants a sense of safety and comfort in open discussions concerning the effects on the family dealing with chemical dependency.

ROOTS & WINGS®: Raising Resilient Children

This program teaches parents and other caregivers the skills they need to direct children regarding the serious challenges they face daily with their decisions about alcohol, nicotine, and drugs as well as other risky behaviors. The program is based on thirty years of ongoing research that has identified factors that place children at risk for alcohol and other drug abuse, as well as the factors that protect them from chemical abuse and other risky behaviors.

In ROOTS & WINGS®, parents learn how to influence their children in positive ways. It offers ideas on how to prevent problems and protect children from dangerous situations. It demonstrates how to develop resiliency in children by giving them the ability to withstand and bounce back from problems they face. Programs are offered in a variety of settings including schools, community centers and religious facilities.

ROOTS & WINGS® is offered in English and Spanish and is presented to targeted groups to help them address their own unique needs. Specialized groups include: single, foster and homeless parents as well as parents in recovery from chemical dependency.

Note: ROOTS & WINGS is a registered trademark of the Hazelden Foundation

Bounce: Be A Resilient Kid

Bounce: Be A Resilient Kid is a companion program to ROOTS & WINGS®. It teaches resiliency skills to children age six to twelve and helps them understand the importance of being free from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Sessions using various types of "bounce back" visuals help children grasp the concept of resiliency. The program emphasizes adequate nutrition, healthcare and exercise.

Trained facilitators present our ROOTS & WINGS® and Bounce programs. All of our facilitators go through extensive training presented by the Hanley Center prevention staff. A Regional Coordinator works closely with all facilitators as they implement these programs.

Project Northland and Class Action

Research has shown that young people who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop a dependence on alcohol than those who begin drinking later. Since children are faced with ongoing decisions about alcohol use, helping them become confident about delaying the onset of use is critical to establishing lasting changes in their behaviors and attitudes about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

The Primary goals of Project Northland and Class Action are to delay the age young people begin drinking, to reduce alcohol use among those who have already tried drinking and to limit the number of alcohol related problems experienced. Project Northland is a proven, research-based alcohol prevention program for middle school students. Developed at the University of Minnesota, the curriculum teaches students age-appropriate skills to resist using alcohol and appreciate alcohol-free alternatives. Class Action, and Project Northland are implemented during the school day at public, private, parochial and alternative middle and high schools.

Aging To Perfection

Aging to Perfection is an interactive program designed to prevent late onset substance abuse problems and to strengthen healthy behaviors in older adults. The program empowers individuals, families and communities to take action by helping older adults develop problem solving skills and the ability to manage difficult situations. Programs take place in a variety of settings including retirement communities, schools, community centers and religious facilities. The sessions include discussions on the differences between normal aging and possible medical problems, changes with aging that affect behaviors, minimizing unhealthy behaviors, safe medication practices, and ways to engage physicians to protect one's health.

Steriod Prevention - ATLAS and ATHENA

ATLAS and ATHENA offer a new model for drug prevention and health promotion education. Unlike traditional health class teaching, these programs are gender-specific (ATLAS for boys and ATHENA for girls) and provide nutrition and strength training alternatives to preformance enhancing and body shaping substances. ATLAS and ATHENA are integrated into the usual team activities during the sport season.

ATLAS and ATHENA are student led, easy to implement and instructions are completely scripted. Importantly, the programs focus on the here and now, rather than the long-term harmful effects of substance use. Athletes learn how to achieve their goals using state-of-the-art sports nutrition and strength training, and develop skills to avoid unhealthy behaviors.

ATLAS and ATHENA get results:

  • ATLAS reduces male adolescent atheletes' use of anabolic steroids, sport supplements, alcohol and illicit drugs, and lowers drinking and driving occurances.
  • ATHENA prevents substance abuse, disordered eating practices, diet pill use, injuries, and riding with a drinking driver.
  • Both programs promote healthy nutrition while increasing communication and decision-making skills.
  • Students believe they are better athletes, become stronger and were better able to resist drug offers.
  • Model Program, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
  • Exemplary Program, U.S. Department of Education

Passport to Peace for Kids and Families

Passport to Peace issues a new kind of passport for elementary school children in grades K through 5, and it doesn't require travel. Instead, the passport represents a trip in which kids learn to develop positive social attitudes and stop violent behavior.

Teachers and guidance counselors in Florida find that the Passport to Peace program transforms the environment of schools, especially those with diverse student bodies. The program, proven effective in a five-year pilot program at Wilton Manors Elementary in Ft. Lauderdale, was developed for children aged five to 12, as a character development tool, which helps them practice and develop healthy attitudes in interaction and learning. A companion Passport to Peace Family program promotes understanding, respect and family bonding.

The turnkey program was designed to be included in as a school-wide program with grade-level specific activities and reading throughout the school year. While all classroom and family materials are included in the modules, teachers and students can create their own activities and elements around it, such as a Peace Pole that has become the gathering place for awards and highlights at one school.

Passport to Peace is currently being implemented through grants in Florida's Broward, Sarasota and Collier Counties. Passport for families is offered in conjunction with parenting programs that build resilience in children. The program's lessons promote twelve key attitudes including confidence and independence; commitment and cooperation; creativity and empathy; tolerance and respect; enthusiasm and curiosity; and honesty and appreciation. Kids collect Passport stickers on their journey through the school year.

For pricing for Passport to Peace for the Classroom and Passport to Peace for Families, call Hanley Prevention Services at 1-561-841-1216 or 1-800-444-7008, extension #1216.