How Are Your Kids Handling the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Fear and anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in both adults and children. We are all trying to adjust to our new normal as things continue to rapidly change.

While you are struggling with health concerns, school closures, having to work remotely and financial uncertainty, your kids have suddenly been cut off from school, friends, extracurricular activities and more. How are your kids coping?

According to the CDC, children and teens are among the groups of people who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis.

Ways to help kids manage stress and anxiety

So what parenting advice is there to help kids manage their stress and anxiety during the coronavirus outbreak?

 It is important to keep in mind that children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. Positive parenting is key right now.

We’ve all seen the headlines:

“Underage drinking, drugs leads to nearly 1,000 arrests on Gulf Coast beaches”

“Sheriff's Office cracks down on underage drinking in Destin”

“Police being extra vigilant on drunk driving during spring break

"Spring Break 2019 sees drunk students descend on beach to guzzle booze, twerk and pass out in outrageous parties”

If you are the parent of a college-age student preparing to head off to a spring break destination soon, you are likely concerned about whether or not they will engage in underage or binge-drinking and wind up in lots of trouble.

A small girl at Redland Middle School waited patiently for the other students surrounding filmmaker Erahm Christopher to leave so she could ask one question: What is the time of tonight’s screening?  I really want my Mom to come and see the film.

Informed Families partnered with Mr. Christopher to host a screening of his film LISTEN at Redland Middle School on February 6, 2020.  Themes covered in the film include bullying, cyber bullying, racism, gang violence and suicide.  Following the screening, students had a chance ask Mr. Christopher questions and voice their thoughts and feelings about the issues featured in the film. The response was overwhelming.

According to Soraya Herran, a guidance counselor at Redland Middle School, the next day “the students couldn’t stop talking about the film and discussion they had participated in.”

Donna and Gordon Fales couldn’t believe their luck when they won the raffle prize at Informed Families' Annual Dinner at Joe’s - a dinner for 20 at Joe’s Stone Crab.

"We were stunned. I have never won anything like that in my life,” Mrs. Fales explained.

The Fales used the prize to host a family gathering around the holidays – and the impeccable service, attention to detail and quality food at Joe’s Stone Crab didn’t disappoint.

“It was absolutely everything you could hope for. The staff at Joe’s did a fabulous job. They were very accommodating and we were well taken care of,” Mrs. Fales said.

The Fales are long-time Miami residents, and going to Joe’s is a tradition for them. Mrs. Fales described their dinner as the “quintessential Miami experience.”

Joe’s Stone Crab has once again generously donated a dinner for 20 as the raffle prize at Informed Families’ Dinner at Joe’s.  Raffle tickets are available for purchase online. Buy one, and tell a friend to get one too. You could be the next lucky winner.

100% of the proceeds from raffle goes toward supporting the Informed Families mission of helping kids grow up safe, healthy and drug free.

“I really would like the theme to inspire others for use as their mantra. Bravery is not just for superheroes."

Meet Tricia Nelson, the everyday hero behind the 2020 Red Ribbon theme: “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free.”

The Red Ribbon Campaign unveiled its new 2020 Red Ribbon Theme, “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free. ™” today. The theme will be highlighted during Red Ribbon Week®, the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program, taking place each year from October 23 through 31st.

Submitted by Tricia Nelson, a first year Physical Education Teacher at Locust Corner Elementary School in Cincinnati, the theme will help amplify the campaign’s mission to encourage children, families and communities to live healthy, safe and drug-free lives.

Are you thinking about participating in ‘Dry January’ - a month-long break from alcohol? We already know giving up alcohol for a month could leave you richer, slimmer and healthier – but if you’re in need of some more reasons to maintain your break with Pinot, check out some of the unexpected benefits of giving up alcohol: 

The National Family Partnership announced the winners of the 2019 National Red Ribbon Photo Contest on December 2. Several Florida residents and schools were included among this year’s winners.

Natalia Solares from Hialeah, FL won a Judges Award in the Home category for Best Use of the Theme. Ms. Solares’ $1000 prize money will go to Youth Co-Op Preparatory Charter School.

The U.S. Postal Service revealed the new "Drug Free USA
Forever” stamp yesterday in conjunction with Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program taking place each year from October 23 through 31.

Earlier this year, the National Family Partnership and Drug Enforcement Administration submitted a joint letter to the U.S.Postal Service’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, to propose a stamp to raise national awareness about the dangers of drug misuse.

“We are delighted that the U.S. Postal Service is committed to supporting our efforts to promote drug prevention, education and awareness,” said Peggy B. Sapp, President and CEO of Informed Families and the National Family Partnership. “We all must continue to play our unique roles in spreading the word to communities about how individuals can make healthy choices.”

The Drug Free USA Forever stamp features a white star with lines of red, light blue, and blue radiating from one side of each of the star’s five points, suggesting the unity necessary at all levels to effectively address drug use. The stamp will go on sale in October 2020.

Informed Families is honored that long-time supporters Richard Bermont and Adam Carlin will co-chair this year’s 35^th Annual Dinner at Joe’s. Bermont and Carlin lead Bermont Carlin Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley, and they both have a strong track record of supporting charitable organizations in the Miami.

“Having Richard and Adam team up to chair our 35^th Annual Dinner at Joe’s is amazing,” said Peggy Sapp, President and CEO of Informed Families. “They are enthusiastic about making this milestone dinner one of our best.”

 Bermont received the 2019 James W. McLamore Outstanding Volunteer Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Miami Chapter at their National Philanthropy Day event. He is a Membres de la Societe  of the United Way of Miami Dade, past chairman of the UM Citizens Board, and sponsors a week of interviews at financial institutions in New York for a group of students (Bermont/Carlin Group Scholars) attending the University of Miami School of Business.

Informed Families newly-designated 2019 Red Ribbon Certified Schools include: Brownsville, Citrus Grove and Homestead Middle Schools in Miami-Dade County, FL; West Orange and Cypress Creek High Schools in Orange County, FL; and North Atlanta High School in Fulton County, GA.

The Red Ribbon Certified Schools in both Miami-Dade and Orange Counties received special recognition during the October School Board meetings in their respective counties.