April marks Alcohol Awareness Month—a powerful opportunity for families to open the door to conversations that can shape a child’s future.

Topics: President's Message, lock your meds, club drugs, safe parties, safe homes smart parties, alcohol, Informed Families, lock your meds pledge, alcohol use, summer, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, spring break

March is here, and it’s time to talk about something that’s putting young people at serious risk—dangerous party drugs being disguised as something else. A synthetic stimulant called N,N-dimethylpentylone is being sold as MDMA (also known as ecstasy or molly), but it’s far more harmful than people realize.

Topics: President's Message, lock your meds, club drugs, safe parties, safe homes smart parties, alcohol, Informed Families, lock your meds pledge, alcohol use, summer, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, spring break

Every year, July 17th is celebrated as "Hug Your Kids Day." This occasion serves as a reminder for parents of the importance of showing affection to their children, but it should not be a once-a-year event. Love and warmth are vital every day in a child's life, as they directly contribute to a child's emotional and psychological development.

Topics: summer, mental health, love, affection, hug

In today's interconnected world, digital technology has become an integral part of our daily lives.

Topics: parenting, positive parenting, Facebook, summer, miami, tiktok, instagram, snap chat

What do Education, Prevention, and Law Enforcement have in common?

Topics: drugs, opioids, summer, fentanyl, miami, mental health

Helping Kids Grow Up Safe, Healthy, and Drug-Free

Topics: Joe's Stone Crab, drugs, opioids, summer, fentanyl, miami, mental health

Summertime is a season filled with joy, adventure, and the perfect opportunity for kids (and educators!) to take a break from their studies and enjoy some well-deserved fun.  However, it's crucial to acknowledge that the summer months can also present potential risks, particularly when it comes to substance misuse among children. 

Topics: drugs, opioids, summer, fentanyl, mental health

President's Message - June 2023

I am always amazed by how different people approach the drug problem. The predominant approach is, "I'm going to learn everything about drugs," and then, "I'm going to tell others all about everything I've learned, and that will save them." However, becoming a drug expert does not stop the drug problem. 

Topics: President's Message, family bonding, Informed Families, summer, Family Table Time

Topics: orlando, Informed Families, summer, grandparents, grandchildren, orange county

Orginally published in Miami Kids magazine. 

Summer is finally here! We are all ready for a much needed break from homeschooling, and looking forward to some fun. However a less structured day, and minimal supervision can spell trouble for some kids and teens.

“It’s hard to keep tabs on your kids in the summer. Having family rules are essential all year, but perhaps even more so during the summer. They help keep kids, especially teens, out of trouble and give parents a little bit of peace of mind that their kids know guidelines exist and hopefully will be followed,” said Peggy Sapp, Informed Families President and CEO.

Establishing family rules are important. What are your rules? If you want to learn how to set and establish rules, contact Mery Dominguez at mdominguez@informedfamilies.org or 305-856-4886 about joining an Informed Families’ Parent Peer Group.

Spending time together as a family is great too. If you are looking for some ideas, don’t worry we have got you covered. Check out the list of activities of family-friendly summer activities below.

Topics: tips, parent involvement, positive parenting, communication, family bonding, children, Informed Families, family rules, drug prevention, summer, healthy kids