What’s a parent to do with a teen who is glued to his cell phone, bouts of adolescent depression, peer pressure, school issues, underage drinking or illegal drug use?

 "Talk It Out," a nine-week, adult education program sponsored by the Tiverton Prevention
Coalition, promises to offers some valuable tools that parents can use to help teens move safely
along the often perilous road to adulthood.

Experts in adult education emphasize that the most successful programs begin by focusing on
the needs and life experience of the adult learner, not a pre-determined curriculum, said
Tiverton Prevention Coalition Coordinator Rebecca Elwell. "Talk it Out" follows this educational
model

In the first sessions, parents will identify issues they want to explore. In subsequent sessions,
experts in those areas will help parents develop strategies to deal with those issues.

"Talk It Out" will be facilitated by Ray Davis, CPSS, a certified prevention specialist supervisor. The sessions are not clinical therapy groups, Mr. Davis emphasized, but they are confidential.

Parents can expect both open discussions, where they can share their own experiences and
consult with experts on specific topics of interest chosen by parents in the group.

"Talk It Out" is the second offering in The Coalition’s parent education series, meets from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Tiverton High School Library.

The remaining eight sessions will held every other week through May.

Admission is free. Attendance at all nine sessions is recommended but not required. For more
information, contact Tiverton Prevention Coalition Coordinator Rebecca Elwell at 401-835-5311.