Safe Homes Home Page

The Safe Homes Parents Network

Parents Working Together Make A Tremendous Difference

In the Lives of Children!

We can help YOU make a difference!

We have developed a step-by-step guide outlining the SAFE HOMES Parents Network. This manual is designed to assist parents and communities in preventing children from using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Our program is based on research and best practices and offers solid theory and practical solutions for parents and communities.

Over the years, the primary drug prevention profession has learned what works and what doesn't work. GOOD DRUG PREVENTION WORKS!

The SAFE HOMES Parents Network is a pledge-based, drug-prevention program for parents and guardians of youth in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grades.

It provides parents and guardians an opportunity to talk with each other and to unite in a clear message to all youth that there will be NO USE of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs in the community.

If this program interests you, give us a call and we will happy to discuss the program in greater detail.

If you are located within the Omaha, Nebraska area, we will be happy to fulfill your request for SAFE Homes materials free of charge. These materials include brochures and a Project Leader Manual.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are not located in and around Omaha, Nebraska, we will be happy to fulfill your request for materials and technical assistance also. The cost of program materials and technical assistance is indicated below.

Brochures ~ 20 cents each + postage (call for estimate)

Project Coordinator Manual ~ $100.00 (including postage)

Technical Assistance ~ $100 (one year)

MISSION STATEMENT

Parents, guardians, and community working together for drug-free youth.

GOAL

To develop a community-wide coalition of parents and other adults working together to implement the SAFE HOMES Parents Network in their homes, schools, and community.

OBJECTIVES

Parents and guardians will supervise all gatherings of youth in their homes or on their property.

Families will not allow the possession or use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs by youth in their homes or on their property.

Parents and guardians will know where their children are; will oversee their activities, and will set appropriate expectations and consequences for their behavior.

EXPECTATIONS AS A MEMBER

Set age-appropriate family guidelines for your children and KNOW:

Where your children are;

Whom they are with;

What they are doing;

When they are expected to return home;

What the consequences will be if rules are broken.

Actively support and enforce a clear, consistent message and policy for all youth that there will be NO USE of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

Talk to other parents (the parents of your children’s friends) and agree on expectations and rules for your children and the consequences for a youth who breaks the rules. Welcome a phone call from other parents supporting your combined commitment.

Provide support for other parents in your joint efforts to have safe, healthy, drug-free homes and communities.

COMMUNICATE

With your child

That being drug free is the "norm" in our home

That there are clear, consistent "expectations" for their behavior

What the "consequences" for actions will be

With other parents

That our home is a safe, healthy, drug-free place for all youth

That all gatherings for youth are actively supervised by responsible adults

That we welcome a call or communication from all parents

With other youth

That there will be no possession, serving, or use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs in our home or on our property

That there will be regular contact with their parents

That the "expectations" are the same for all SAFE HOMES Parents Network families

FAMILY GUIDELINES

Inform your children that you have joined the SAFE HOMES Parents Network.

Discuss with them why you believe this is important.

Know where your children are, whom they are with, what they are doing, and when they are expected to return home.

Know ahead of time WHAT the consequences will be if they are not where they agreed to be or are late returning home.

Be awake (or awakened) when they return home at night.

Let your children know where YOU will be.

Assure your children that they can phone you to be picked up wherever and whenever needed.

Get to know your children’s friends and their parents.

YOU can make the DIFFERENCE!

Sign the Pledge!

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Be aware that parties, sleepovers, gatherings, and other activities for youth are being held WITHOUT adult supervision (or any supervision) and that alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs are commonly present.

Be aware that the use of alcohol has many dangerous consequences: loss of inhibitions, suicide, sexual promiscuity, violence, crimes, and DEATH.

Both adults and young people need to know that alcohol is not to be equated with "fun" or "party." This is an idea encouraged by the alcohol industry.

Parents need to support each other in hosting drug-free activities and encouraging young people to attend drug-free events.

AS A PARENT OF A YOUTH INVITED TO AN ACTIVITY OR PARTY

Call the host parent and introduce yourself.

Verify with the parent the occasion and location.

Check that there will be active, responsible, adult supervision at all times.

Verify that there will be NO alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs allowed, served, provided, or available at all.

If the activity seems inappropriate, express your concern to the parent and to your child; keep your child home and plan another activity, perhaps with the family.

AS A HOST PARENT

Encourage "by invitation only" activities.

Never permit "party crashers." Use a guest list.

Be a visible, active host. Tell guests who choose to leave the activity they may NOT return. Call the parents of youth who leave and inform them so they know you are no longer supervising their child.

NEVER allow anyone "under the influence" to leave (MUST be with an adult). Call the parents or police.

Click here to find out how...

PARENTS CAN HELP CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH

PROTECTS AND NURTURES CHILDREN

SUPPORTERS OF THE SAFE HOMES NETWORK

Find out who is supporting the SAFE HOMES PARENTS NETWORK.

Just click here.

Tell us what you think...go to www.pride.org and leave a message on our feedback page. We want to hear from you!

Join SAFE HOMES -- Sign the Pledge!