 Contact InformationAnne Nowak, Coordinator
(716) 250-1229
The Sweet Home Family Support Center, located near district Offices, was created to provide intervention and prevention programs for all the residents in the Sweet Home School District. It has been used as a model for the development of other centers throughout the state.
The Family Support Center is able to link residents with human service organizations and community resources that can help with specific needs.
Throughout the year, the Family Support Center offers a variety of prevention programs on a variety of topics. Some of these include: Common Sense Parenting, bullying prevention, and drug/alcohol awareness/prevention. Programs are held at one of the six Sweet Home school buildings, a community building or a family residence. In most cases, free child care is offered and all programs are free.
Additional services offered at the Family Support Center's location include a resources library for parents and adolescents relating to parenting, adolescent and social issues.
The regular offices hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday.
Common Sense Parenting Program
ATTENTION PARENTS
Common Sense Parenting Workshop*
Tuesday evenings, October 4,11,18, 25 November 1 & 8, 2011
6:30pm-8:30pm
Sweet Home High School Room 215
Cost: Free ($10 book deposit required)
Call 250-1229 to register. Child care is available.
Do you find yourself repeating directions to your kids?
Are daily routines such as bedtime, completing chores, or getting ready for school a struggle?
Tired of your children fighting with one another?
Have consequences lost their effectiveness?
Would you like less yelling and more laughter in your home?
You are not alone!!!!
All parents find themselves at a loss of what to do or how to handle certain situations with their children. Sometimes we just need to take a break and re-evaluate how we are communicating. Sometimes we need to restock our parenting tool box with new ideas. Come join other parents in a discussion about our number #1 priority, our children. Learn different approaches to handling common behavior issues such as accepting no, following directions and getting along with others, in a relaxed atmosphere.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Many of us are caregivers for loved ones and friends. The Amherst Senior Center will host the seminar “Powerful Tools for Caregivers,” a 6-session program presented by the Erie County Department of Senior Services. The seminar begins March 11. The cost is $25.
Free respite care for memory-impaired adults will be available on site at Amherst Adult Day Services, adjacent to the Senior Center. Please follow the link below for information, which will also give you a phone number for reservations.
Collaborative Partners include:
Amherst Task Force for
Healthy Community • Healthy Youth
Town of Amherst Court
Williamsville Wellness Center, LLC
Family Support Group for those with a loved one dealing with addiction
Mondays 6-7pm
Williamsville Outpatient Office of BryLin
5225 Sheridan Drive
Williamsville, NY 14221
Alcohol/Substance Abuse Services
Support for Parents/Caregivers of children with mental health/emotional/behavioral issues:
Monthly meeting: July 8th
999 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo,NY 14209
6-7:30pm
**Child care provided at both groups if caregiver calls ahead at 886-1242 ext313
Meets 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month
575 Alberta Drive, Suite 2 (behind Wegmans, door is on Bailey side)
Amherst, NY 14228
7-9pm : June 23rd,July 14 & 28, August 11 & 25
Women and Children's Hospital:
Ninth Annual Smiling Through Tears Bereavement Day Camp
WHEN: Wednesday, July 27th, 2011
WHERE: The Taylor Road Park, Hamburg, NY
TIME: 9-6pm
Cost: FREE
Call 878-7681 To register
Financial
Legal
Parenting
Senior Services
Stress management
Do you suffer with depression? Maybe you’ve recently been diagnosed or are a caregiver to someone with depression. Learn more about this common mood disorder,including depression causes, risk factors, and prevention. We’ll help you take control of your depression and live an active, healthy life.
Depression Facts
What Is Depression? Want to learn all about depression? Find answers as you read about this common mood disorder – depression -- that affects adults, teens, and kids alike.
Childhood Depression Depression affects children in different ways, and sometimes it’s misdiagnosed. Learn more about childhood depression and what you can do to help your child.
Teen Depression Discover the symptoms of teen depression. Teen depression can be masked by adolescent hormones, so learn when to call the doctor for a medical evaluation.
Depression and Other Mental Disorders Learn about other mental health problems that may co-exist with depression, including anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. Discover the signs, symptoms, and causes.
Causes
Causes of Depression Learn more about what causes depression, including the genetic link, so you can seek treatment before depression robs you of your quality of life.
Medicines That Cause Depression Be sure to read about medicines that can cause symptoms of depression. Then talk with your doctor about your concerns if you’re taking one of these medicines
Mental Health and Anger Management
What Is Anger?
Anger is a very powerful emotion that can stem from feelings of frustration, hurt, annoyance or disappointment. It is a normal human emotion that can range from slight irritation to strong rage.
Anger can be harmful or helpful, depending upon how it is expressed. Knowing how to recognize and express anger in appropriate ways can help people to reach goals, handle emergencies, and solve problems. However, problems can occur if people fail to recognize and understand their anger.
What Are the Dangers of Suppressed Anger?
Suppressed anger can be an underlying cause of anxiety and depression. Anger that is not appropriately expressed can disrupt relationships,affect thinking and behavior patterns, and create a variety of physical problems. Chronic (long-term) anger has been linked to health issues such as high blood pressure, heart problems, headaches, skin disorders, and digestive problems. In addition, anger can be linked to problems such as crime,emotional and physical abuse, and other violent behavior.
How Can I Manage Anger?
· When you start feeling angry, try deep breathing,positive self-talk, or stopping your angry thoughts. Breathe deeply from your diaphragm. Slowly repeat a calm word or phrase such as "relax" or"take it easy." Repeat it to yourself while breathing deeply until the anger subsides.
· Although expressing anger is better than keeping it in, anger should be expressed in an appropriate way. Frequent outbursts of anger are often counter-productive and cause problems in relationships with others. Angry outbursts are also stressful to your nervous and cardiovascular systems and can make health problems worse. Learning how to use assertiveness is the healthy way to express your feelings, needs, and preferences. Being assertive can be used in place of using anger in these situations.
· Seek out the support of others. Talk through your feelings and try to work on changing your behaviors.
· If you have trouble realizing when you are having angry thoughts, keep a log of when you feel angry.
· Try to gain a different perspective by putting yourself in another's place.
· Learn how to laugh at yourself and see humor in situations.
· Practice good listening skills. Listening can help improve communication and can facilitate trusting feelings between people. This trust can help you deal with potentially hostile emotions.
· Learn to assert yourself, expressing your feelings calmly and directly without becoming defensive, hostile, or emotionally charged. Consult self-help books on assertiveness or seek help from a professional therapist to learn how to use assertiveness and anger management skills.
What Else Can I Deal With My Anger in a Healthy Way?
If you believe that your anger is out of control and is having a negative affect on your life and relationships, seek the help of a mental health professional. A psychologist or other licensed mental health professional can work with you to develop techniques for changing your thinking and your behavior. A mental health professional can help you to deal with your anger in an appropriate way. Choose your therapist carefully and make sure to seek treatment from a professional who is trained to teach anger management and assertiveness skills.
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District Information
