Virginia Beach, VA- August 27, 2018. . .The days are still warm and the sun may be a little brighter for parents as it's that time of year again - back to school!  As parents prepare students for back to school, they often get caught in the details of purchasing school supplies and backpacks.    Those are important, of course; but the Social Workers, Case Managers, Probation Officers and other helping professionals realize that back-to-school for many families means more than arming students with simple school supplies. 

For many, back-to school means facing the challenges and battles that come with daily homework.  It means facing the inevitable struggle to make sure their student actually goes to class. It means worrying over whether or not their student will participate in the education process or even socialize at all with any of their peers.

Here at Community Solutions, we know the struggle families and students face.  The helping professionals of Hampton Roads have turned to Community Solutions for the past 17 years to provide resources to the youth in our community.    We meet the students where they need it most:  in the home, in the school or in the community.  During the school year, two of our programs stand out the most in helping students succeed in navigating their educational journey.

After-School Mentoring
Does the student need extra help on homework or school assignments? Community Solution's Afterschool Program offers a convenient plan that helps students realize their fullest potential.  The after-school program offers 1-to-1 guidance and mentoring for optimal results.

Out of School or Suspension
There are times, despite best efforts, that we find students in a situation that suspends them from school.  The CS Out of School & Suspension Programs are structured daily activities in a Community Solutions' Classroom.  Parent-child meetings are held to develop a plan to ensure success and to avoid repeat suspensions.

Any Social Worker, Case Manager or other helping professional interested in more information on Community Solutions' youth programs, please drop us a line or call us at 757-461-5098.  Together, we can make this school year a positive experience for our young people!

Virginia Beach, VA - July 31, 2018 . . .August 1st is National Respect Your Parents Day. Here at Community Solutions we work with parents throughout Hampton Roads to help strengthen families and empower parents with the tools necessary to raise their children to thrive and survive in an ever-changing world.

Part of a well-adjusted family life is a mutual respect for one another. In honor of National Respect Your Parents Day, we'd like to share a few tips to for parents to teach children the value of respect.

1. Be the Example. Children learn from our behavior. If they see us snapping a folks or being impolite, they will certainly replicate those same behaviors.
2. Teach your child social interaction skills. If may seem like it should go without saying, but teaching your child to say "Please" and "Thank you" is paramount. When your child enters school or your teen gets his or her first job, understanding and practicing polite and respectful social skills will go a long way.
3. Set realistic expectations around their behavior. Children, teens and tweens will definitely not be perfect all the time. Communicate your expectations to your child, helping them understand what is expected of them and what the consequences will be if they don’t meet those expectations. If they meet your goals, certainly give them credit, but also if they don’t, follow through on whatever consequences you’ve set up for them.
4. Be respectful when you correct your child. When your child is being disrespectful, remember to correct them in a respectful manner. Yelling and getting upset will more than likely escalate their poor behavior. Try pulling your child aside and firmly talk with them, there's no need to shout or embarrass them. You can use these moments as teaching moments, examples of staying calm under pressure.
5. Don't be too hard on yourself. Our job as parents is to teach our kids and model the behavior we hope to instill in them. You often times never know from hour to hour what kind of mood your tween may be in, hormones and emotions run wild. Do your best to not over react and remember you are doing the best you can.

Community Solutions offers Parenting Groups and Parent Mentoring programs. Give us a call at (757)461-5098 or contact us to learn more.

VIRGINIA BEACH – Community Solutions offers a variety of services to help families overcome barriers and obstacles in order to find long-term success. 
 
“The purpose of parenting is to prepare and protect our youth to survive and thrive in the kind of society in which they will live in,” said Desiree Reyes, president and owner of Community Solutions.
 
Parenting classes and mentoring opportunities are available to interested families with the goal of offering caregivers of all ages better tools to effectively communicate, develop relationships and nurture those around them.
 
“I learned the meaning of responsibility and accountability as they are related to providing for and protecting myself and my kids,” one participant said. 
 
Classes include video and in-person instruction, group lessons, and structured exercises to equip parents with tools for success.
 
“The class taught me to “retrain my brain” and not expect my children to understand adult emotions and thoughts,” said one parent participant.
 
All parent services are strengths-based and involve all family members. A thorough assessment process guides highly trained staff to choose the right approach and array of services for each individual family.
           
Courses include:

• Effective behavior management techniques
• Setting realistic household rules
• Clear and constructive communication techniques
• Avoiding power struggles
• Supporting your child's academic progress
• Connecting to resources in the home community
• Contracts, point systems, and rewards

 
“Together with our community partners we can develop a roadmap to guide the family to a better life,” Reyes said.

For more information, visit:    
https://www.csservices.co/parent.html,

https://www.csservices.co/parent-education-groups.html or

https://www.csservices.co/parent-mentors.html

Yelling, fighting, hitting, tantrums, biting, self-harm are all symptoms of quick-to-anger children and adolescents. If this sounds familiar, then take note to help your teen deal with pent-up frustrations, anxiety and even, depression. According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 19 percent of young people receiving mental health services need treatment for anger issues. 

First, let’s check the signs. There is a more extensive list here 

These are typical signs your child might exhibit if they have anger issues:

• Frequent angry outburst, even over minor issues
• Damage to property
  
• Trouble calming down
  
• Resorts to physical aggression
• Doesn’t care about other’s feelings
• Won’t accept responsibility for actions
• Needs to be reminded to control temper
• Bullying

Anger is a normal emotion, so occasional issues or arguments are not a sign of a problem. However, when these issues grow out of control, it’s time to take action. A trained therapist can work with an angry teen to uncover reasons behind the rage but parents, friends and mentors can also take action.

Second, seek solutions with results. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Create a calm spot. Work with your teen to create a place where he can go to gain control. In this space there should be things he enjoys such as books, music, art work, comfortable seating, etc.
2. Use self-talk. Have a few go-to phrases that you and your teen can repeat when things start to escalate such as, “stay in control,” or “I can handle this.” Use these phrases when the anger boils up.
3. Exercise. Research shows an easy way to improve mood is to increase exercise. Go for a walk with your teen, run, swim or hike. Encourage him to join a league or find a new sport.
4. Meditate. This works best if you and/or your teen do it regularly. Have your teen incorporate a daily meditation and breathing exercise. This goes a long way in the areas of self-control and regulating emotions.
5. Write things down. Journaling emotions and feelings can help. It can also point out triggers, which can help your teen anticipate future emotional reactions.  

Community Solutions offers programs to help you and your teen.  Give us a call at 757-461-5098 or e-mail Desiree@CSServices.co.

Sources: HelpGuide.org, U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, The Teen Treatment  Center, Dr. Michele Borba.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Community Solutions aims to build a better community – one family at a time.
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Community Solutions was founded in 2000 to help create a path to a solid future by coming alongside families to overcome barriers as well as set and achieve goals. The treatment center has recently revamped its services and is offering even more help to the community. The services include:

• Anger Management Groups
• After School Programs
•  Camps for ages 7-18
• Educational Mentoring
•  Family Assessments
• Support for Foster Children Aging Out of the System
• Outpatient Services (Coming this summer)
• Parenting Classes
• Parent Mentoring
• Substance Abuse Services
• Suspension Programs
• Teen Groups
• Therapeutic Mentoring

“Community Solutions’ holistic approach to service delivery is augmented by concrete skill development,” said Chris Downs, Author of What Works in Foster Care. “I was deeply impressed with both the depth and breadth of skills Community Solutions has in place for disenfranchised youth.  Community Solutions is one of the nation’s leaders in innovative and youth-driven practice.”

The center works with many organizations in the community to create success. Community partners include, but aren’t limited to, the Department of Aging & Rehabilitation Service; Eggleston Services; Job Corp; military recruiters and Towne Bank.

Community Solutions also works closely with Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Tidewater Community College and the Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension.

“Our success is a result of our passion to make a difference in our client's lives combined with our use of tried and proven programs and approaches that have been successful across the country,” said Chris Mitchell, Vice President of Community Solutions. “It is our belief that by working as a team with child, family and members of the community, we can successfully address any obstacle standing in the way of long term success.”

For more information about Community Solutions visit www.csservices.co or
call 757-461-5098.
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