(Formerly the Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse of Bergen, Inc.) Founded in 1982

We also provide the following additional programs:

Children in the Middle (CIM)
The Children in the Middle program helps parents and children cope with their feelings and reactions to divorce and separation. They learn how to communicate more effectively and how their ability to cooperate with each other can help reduce the levels
of stress they experience. Workbook exercises and videotape excerpts are used as a springboard for discussion, depicting common scenes that often occur in families experiencing divorce.

Creating Healthy Attitudes in Teens (CHAT)
CHAT is a 2-session program for first-time juvenile offenders arrested on a drug or alcohol-related offense. Teens learn about the consequences of alcohol and other drug abuse and decision -making skills that can help them avoid situations that could lead to future arrests.

Parents’ CHAT is a 1-session program designed as a complement to CHAT. Parents become more aware of their attitudes and values about using alcohol and drugs, how they communicate them, and the impact they can have on the decisions their children make. The role of parents in preventing alcohol and drug use in their children is also discussed.

Footprints for Life
Footprints for Life, a 6-week program, teaches second- and third- grade students skills to strengthen their ability to make healthy choices. Using puppets and stories that feature “real life” situations expreienced by a children’s soccer team, children learn how to plan and make decisions, get along with others, celebrate diversity, stand up for their beliefs and solve problems.

Forest Friends
This program is an asset-building program designed to develop and reinforce resiliency skills in children ages five through nine. In this engaging program, children learn about dealing with feelings and how to communicate effectively, how to make good and healthy decisions, the importance of truth and trust to develop healthy relationships, and effective coping skills to deal with difficult life situations.

Reaching Everyone By Exposing Lies (REBEL)
This youth-driven tobacco control movement is designed to prevent and reduce the spread of tobacco use among adolescents and other community members.

Strengthening Bergen’s Families
The Strengthening Bergen’s Families program is a 14-week program that builds on the strengths of youth, ages 5-11, and their families. Parents develop confidence in their ability to supervise, support and appropriately discipline their children. Children learn effective communication skills and how important their role in the family is to the overall atmosphere in the home. Most importantly, as parents and children interact together in healthy and productive ways, they experience a sense of support.

Each week, a family meal and childcare for younger siblings is provided at no cost to participants. Children and caregivers meet in separate groups, then rejoin at the end of the evening for a family activity and the chance to practice what they learned.

Talking about Drugs in the Real World
This 40-minute engaging, interactive presentation is designed to teach young teens about addiction and how to avoid situations where they are offered alcohol and other drugs. The presentation addresses what teens can do if an offer of drugs comes their way, even if that offer comes from a friend.

Youth Empowerment Network (YEN)
The Youth Empowerment Network is a multi-level alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention program aimed at empowering youth and the adults in their lives. Sixth-grade students with learning disabilities, a recognized high-risk population, are provided with a Life Skills Training Program that focuses on peer pressure, decision-making, stress management, communication skills, and alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. Additionally, parents, school staff and community groups are offered training and technical assistance to help support the development of asset-rich families, schools and communities.