DYS to introduce Parents Anonymous

The Division of Youth Services will expand its parent education program with the formation of the first parent support group in the CNMI.

According to Connie Cabrera of DYS, the first Parents Anonymous workshop in the CNMI is scheduled for September which is aimed at training a group of parents for volunteer work.

With the holding of its first workshop on Saipan, DYS hopes to eventually replicate the success of this parents association in the CNMI which started in 1970 in the mainland.

“It will be held from September 28 to 30 and interested parties can call our office for early registration,” she said.

The DYS started its Common Sense Parenting Workshop in 1997 to help promote positive behavior among families and offers alternative ways to address domestic problems.

Over 100 parents have attended this workshop and since then the program has earned positive feedback from participants.

With this success, DYS prepares to expand the program and considers the formation of Parents Anonymous in the CNMI as another venue to offer support for the community.

This support group was first started by a mother with the help of social workers. Together they launched a national campaign in the mainland to offer help to families.

Since its inception in 1970, Parents Anonymous leads the pack in child abuse prevention efforts and has earned recognition for strengthening families. It maintains over 2,300 community-based groups across the US and operates 24-hour hotline for quick response.