Being our Best: Parents & Guardians
Parenting
Raising children well is an extremely tough job. Sometimes, we don't have enough experience or information to give a struggling child the support that they need. Family Academy wants to share ideas and information from county experts and/or experienced parents to offer some help with this difficult and critical job.
Effective Communication
Good communication skills are important to express oneself clearly, create mutual understanding and work well with others. Here are some valuable tips to improving your own communication and helping your student improve theirs, as well.
The Words We Use Make Such a Difference
What you say and how you say it impacts how you connect with others (children and adults), build relationships, and get the outcome you want! Provided here are communication strategies that will create nurturing, productive conversations and connections. This video is a contribution from the Fall 2021 Family Involvement Conference.
Why Can't You Just Listen?
When behaviors change, you can use a play or strengths-based approach to direct children to listen and modify their behavior.
Strength-based activities (scroll down to Activities for Youth/Families)
The Five Restorative Questions at Home
What if your family could use five questions and a few ground rules to resolve conflicts more calmly and effectively? This session will teach you the questions, provide some tips on using each one, and show examples of AACPS staff using them with their very own children!
Substance Abuse Prevention
What is substance misuse disorder?
What are the risk factors of substance misuse?
What are the warning signs of substance abuse?
Substance misuse disorder affects many of our youth, beginning as early as middle school. Learn about the risk factors of substance misuse and how to recognize the physical and behavioral warning signs in your loved one.
For more information, visit the Prevention Coalitions of Anne Arundel County at Prevent Substance Misuse and The Anne Arundel County Department of Health at AA Health.
Dial 988 - Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Crisis Response Warmline: 410-768-5522 (24 hours a day/7 days a week)
A.A. County Division of Student Services: 410-222-5280
Student safety hotline: 1-877-676-9854
A.A. County Crisis Center Hotline (Sexual Assault): 410-222-7273
MD Youth Hotline: 1-800-422-0009
Adolescent and Family Services: 410-222-6785
A.A County Department of Social Services:
Annapolis: 410-269-4500 Glen Burnie: 410-421-8500
Glen Burnie Mental Health Clinic: 410-222-6784
Kinship Care
Kinship care is when relatives step up to raise children whose parents can’t care for them for the time being. For our families providing this type of care, AACPS provides:
help with school enrollment
in-school support services
help connecting with community resources
If you are caring for a family member who is not your own child, you are probably providing kinship care. Learn about kinship care and the benefits you may be eligible for to support you in this important work, as well as how to navigate the issues and resources related to kinship care.
Kinship Care Resources:
Kinship Corner Interview: From Kinship Kid to Kinship Care
Supporting LGBTQ+ Children & Adolescents
Parent and guardian support is so important to the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ students. Learn how being a member of the LGBTQ+ community can impact children and teens, and get resources on how to show your support.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Children and Adolescents
LGBTQ Resources
AACPS Policies
