The back-to-school season brings more than just new schedules, supplies, and routines—it also carries a big emotional shift for children. Transitioning from the carefree days of summer to the structured demands of school can spark excitement, stress, and even anxiety. As parents and caregivers, your support during this time is key to helping children feel confident and prepared for the year ahead.
Informed Families Catalyst
Informed Families
Recent Posts
From Summer to School: Helping Kids Navigate the Emotional Shift With Confidence
Posted by Informed Families on August 27, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Topics: positive parenting, peer pressure, red ribbon certified schools, parent peer group, family dinner, back to school
Back-to-School: Strengthening Family Routines & Values with Family Day™
Posted by Informed Families on August 16, 2025 at 4:53 PM
The start of a new school year brings more than new teachers, sharpened pencils, and busy schedules. It’s also a natural opportunity for families to pause, reset, and recommit to the routines and values that create a safe, healthy, and supportive home environment.
Topics: Family Day, positive parenting, family bonding, peer pressure, parent peer group, family dinner, Family Table Time
Peer Pressure in 2025: Equipping Teens to Make Confident, Drug-Free Choices
Posted by Informed Families on August 2, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Peer pressure today looks a lot different than it did a decade ago. In 2025, it’s no longer just about fitting in at school—it’s about standing out on social media, navigating online trends, and managing constant connectivity. Teens are bombarded with curated lives, viral challenges, and pressures that are as digital as they are personal. As parents and caregivers, it’s more important than ever to equip teens with the confidence and tools they need to make healthy, drug-free choices.
Topics: positive parenting, peer pressure, parent peer group
Social Media & Teens: Empowering Parents to Guide Healthy Digital Habits
Posted by Informed Families on July 27, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Nearly 95% of U.S. teens use social media, with most spending over three hours daily—exceeding safe thresholds linked to doubled risk of anxiety and depression
Topics: social media, mental health, anxiety, depression
Fentanyl & Fake Pills: What Parents of Teens Must Know Now
Posted by Informed Families on July 21, 2025 at 12:33 PM
In 2024, the DEA seized enough counterfeit pills to represent 380 million lethal doses. In 2025 alone, seizures equated to 196 million lethal doses—an unprecedented surge
Topics: social media, drug trend, drug free usa forever stamp, emojis
In 2020, the United States Postal Service, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration, issued the Drug Free USA Forever Stamp—a small symbol with a powerful message.
Topics: social media, drug trend, drug free usa forever stamp, emojis
7 Free Apps That Help Kids 10+ Stay Safe, Engaged & Off Risky Paths
Posted by Informed Families on June 24, 2025 at 6:18 PM
With summer in full swing and June being Online Safety Month, now is the perfect time to equip teens and tweens with tools that foster healthy digital habits and prevent risky behavior.
Topics: education, parent involvement, positive parenting, prevention, Informed Families, social media, drug prevention
Celebrating Fatherhood: The Power of Positive Father Figures
Posted by Informed Families on June 10, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Father’s Day is more than a celebration of dads — it’s a reminder of how powerful father figures can be in shaping the lives of children and strengthening families. At Informed Families, we know that prevention starts at home. That’s why we’re highlighting the critical role fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and mentors play in raising safe, healthy, and drug-free children.
Topics: education, prevention, Informed Families, drug prevention, teachers
Meet the 2024 Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Award Recipient & Honorees
Posted by Informed Families on May 31, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Each year, the National Family Partnership proudly recognizes exceptional individuals and programs leading the fight against drug abuse through the Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Red Ribbon Award. This prestigious honor commemorates the life and legacy of Kiki Camarena —a DEA agent who gave his life in service to protecting communities from the harms of drug use.
Topics: education, prevention, Informed Families, drug prevention, teachers
Parenting in 2025: New Challenges, New Solutions for Raising Healthy Teens
Posted by Informed Families on May 26, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Staying Ahead While Staying Connected...Raising teens has never been easy—but parenting in 2025 comes with a unique set of challenges that didn’t exist a generation ago. Social media trends shift by the hour, vaping continues to evolve under the radar, and artificial intelligence now plays a growing role in how kids learn, communicate, and even think.
Topics: parenting, positive parenting, Informed Families, social media, drug trend, parents