Twp. of Parsippany - Municipal Alliance

Township of Parsippany Municipal Alliance

The Municipal Alliance Committee is comprised of volunteers whose efforts fight alcoholism and drug abuse in the community. They work together to:

Organize and coordinate the efforts of school, police, and other community organizations to fight drug and alcohol abuse. They assist in the adoption of clear procedures for the intervention, treatment and discipline of students abusing alcohol and drugs. Assist in providing a comprehensive drug and alcohol abuse education and outreach program for parents. Provide a comprehensive substance awareness program.

Members of the Municipal Alliance:

Hank Pomerantz
Carole Adamsbaum
Sandra Neglia
David Bahn
Robert Peluso
Diane Likman

SUMMARY OF MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE PROGRAMS

Elementary Schools

Adopt a Student

This program has evolved into an educational mentoring program due to significant changes in the demographics of the schools. Students meet after school with high school mentors, under the supervision of school staff, to enhance their learning skills. The program will provide basic skills development and practice. The opportunity to improve self-image and reduce the likelihood of becoming at-risk for ATOD abuse is also explored by mentors.

After School Extension

Teachers work with students in this after school program to provide enhancement to those who are having academic or behavioral difficulties. Tutorials are provided in basic skills to enable students to better meet the academic goals required to achieve proficiency at the 8th grade level. Counseling is also provided to help in the development of cooperative, conflict resolution and personal growth skills. There is an emphasis on developing drug resistance and an educational component involving ATOD abuse.

Child Assault Prevention

The CAP program is a state-supported program that works with students, parents and teachers to prevent bullying. Children are taught how to deal with bullies, both young and old, as well as other beings that might be a threat to their health and safety. Parents and teachers are taught how to develop skills in their children that will help them to remain safe.

Children Are People Too!

This program targets youngsters who are among families with a history of ATOD use and other at-risk situations. It is designed to develop a higher level of self-esteem which is rarely present in the youngsters’ environments. Resources are provided to help children reduce their defensive behaviors and recognize that they are not the cause of the problems in their homes nor are they the cure for those problems. Coping mechanisms are also developed to deal effectively with family problems.

DARE

DARE is an acronym for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is part of a national effort to combat drug abuse and violence among our children. Specially trained DARE officers from our police department conduct programs for fifth graders in our 8 elementary and 2 parochial schools and entertain visitations for kindergarten to fourth grades.

Homework Club at Eastlake, Knollwood and Lake Parsippany Schools

The Homework Club is designed to provide after school academic learning for students who have difficulty with academic progress. These students generally come from home environments that are not supportive of education due to family problems, drug and/or alcohol abuse, cultural issues or language difficulties (bilingualism). This enables students to master academics at a higher level and develop positive attitudes toward school both of which contribute to a better self image. The program will implement a counseling component that includes ATOD resistance skills.

Talking to Children

Parent Skills Workshops are open to all township parents and are co-sponsored by the school district, school counselors and joint PTA’s. The program is designed to teach parents not only how to talk to their children, but how to listen to them as well. One of the goals of the workshop includes helping children to express anger appropriately. In addition, they will be taught how to talk to their parents and how to listen to them. Adele Faber, noted author in the area of helping children and parents work together, will address the participants of the workshop. Led by the school counselor, follow-up throughout the year with small group discussions will be conducted in each school to further facilitate this process and monitor problems.

Middle Schools

Brooklawn Bridge/Central Connection

This fifth grade program provides an opportunity for students to learn about and participate in activities at the middle school level prior to their entrance (moving up). The students are assisted by peer leaders in their orientation to middle school activities including how to dress, use of lockers, cafeteria and the many other issues that will confront them as they transition to the next school level. They learn about conflict resolution, meet their future classmates and develop friendships through trust-building exercises.

Parent Skills Workshops

This middle school program is open to all parents for assistance with developing skills for communications and dialogues with their children regarding drugs, alcohol and other issues that can create future problems.

Peer Leadership

The peer leaders are trained to mentor students, provide conflict resolution and are responsible for the Brooklawn Bridge Program activities. In addition, they develop skits on ATOD issues which are presented at their school, the elementary schools and for the Brooklawn Bridge program. The peer program is facilitated by the substance abuse counselor who instructs the students on how to develop their programs.

Talking to Children

Parent Skills Workshops are open to all township parents and are co-sponsored by the school district, school counselors and joint PTA’s. The program is designed to teach parents not only how to talk to their children, but how to listen to them as well. One of the goals of the workshop includes helping children to express anger appropriately. In addition, they will be taught how to talk to their parents and how to listen to them. Adele Faber, noted author in the area of helping children and parents work together, will address the participants of the workshop. Led by the school counselor, follow-up throughout the year with small group discussions will be conducted in each school to further facilitate this process and monitor problems.

Teen Talk at Brooklawn and Central Middle Schools

Facilitators encourage students to meet after school to discuss the problems of adolescence such as parent, sexual, drug or alcohol issues, peer relationships and other concerns that develop during the early teen years. Giving students the opportunity to work out difficulties with adult facilitators prevents many problems that naturally arise at this age.

High Schools

Project Graduation

This program provides a drug and alcohol-free environment for seniors following graduation.

Spectrum

This program provides high school students with an opportunity to grieve or deal with loss in their lives. The facilitators are all trained to assist the students to deal with their emotional concerns in a protective environment. This is done in a group setting to offer companionship and support.

Talking to Children

Parent Skills Workshops are open to all township parents and are co-sponsored by the school district, school counselors and joint PTA’s. The program is designed to teach parents not only how to talk to their children, but how to listen to them as well. One of the goals of the workshop includes helping children to express anger appropriately. In addition, they will be taught how to talk to their parents and how to listen to them. Adele Faber, noted author in the area of helping children and parents work together, will address the participants of the workshop. Led by the school counselor, follow-up throughout the year with small group discussions will be conducted in each school to further facilitate this process and monitor problems.