Guiding Good Choices Program

 
 

Guiding Good Choices Program Training

The Center for Urban Youth and Family Development's Guiding Good Choices Program is an exceptional opportunity for your entire family! By participating, you're not only helping to strengthen our community, but over the course of 5 sessions, your family will:

Build stronger parent-child bonds and communication

  • Develop skills to help youth resist peer pressure

  • Learn effective family conflict management strategies

  • Enjoy meals together and connect as a family!

Proven to be effective

Research demonstrates that Guiding Good Choices (GGC) delivers powerful, lasting results for families and youth. Multiple scientific studies confirm the program's effectiveness in reducing substance use initiation among youth participants and decreasing alcohol-related problems and cigarette use by up to 11%. The program also improves parent-child communication and strengthens family management skills. These positive outcomes have been sustained for up to 10 years after families completed the program.

Curious about what these 5 sessions entail?

Parents learn how to:

  • Identify risk factors for adolescent substance use and create protective family environments that support healthy development

  • Set clear guidelines and expectations about substance use with consistent consequences that help youth make healthy choices

  • Manage family conflict effectively and strengthen communication skills through anger management techniques and problem-solving strategies

Youth and families together:

  • Build peer pressure resistance skills and practice healthy decision-making through interactive activities and discussions

  • Strengthen family bonds through quality time and positive activities that enhance emotional connections

  • Practice family meetings between sessions to promote bonding and discuss important family issues using family guides

Improvements for Families

Families participating in GGC experience measurable improvements in both parenting skills and youth outcomes.

For Parents:

  • Enhanced child management and parenting skills

  • Better communication with children about substance use and peer pressure

For Youth:

  • Significantly lower rates of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use

  • Reduced problem behaviors and delinquency

Benefits Extend to Communities Too!

For every dollar invested in the Guiding Good Choices Program, $5.85 returns to the community in the form of reduced substance abuse treatment costs, decreased involvement with juvenile justice systems, and lower healthcare expenses.