We hope you had a wonderful holiday season!
Welcome 2021!
In December, the CPC held their First Friday Forum. The December Forum: "Stress, Anxiety & Teens: How To Help!", featured nationally recognized clinical psychologist Dale Wisely, PhD. 

The recorded forum is still available for viewing and is an amazing chance to
hear Dr. Wisely discuss how to help children develop healthy coping skills to manage stress and avoid alcohol and drug use!
 
Dr. Wisely has been a child and adolescent clinical psychologist for 36 years. He was Director of Student Services and Community Education at Mountain Brook Schools for 12 years and is currently Director of Family Life at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. 
 
Those who know Dr. Wisely also understand the tremendous passion he has for helping to equip children, teens, parents and child-serving professionals with tools and support they need to navigate the many stressors faced by our youth: from social media, to relationships, college/career, school, and now COVID. He is also a gifted, warm and spirited speaker.
 
Please click the button below to access the recorded forum - "Stress Anxiety & Teens: How To Help!"
The FOCUS Program's Facts! Campaign "Establishing Social Norms Among AlabamaYouth"
The FOCUS Program, partnering with the Addiction Prevention Coalition (APC) and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBS), will be running a media campaign targeting youth with the goal of education and awareness. The program will run through the end of January. 

This mobile and social media (Snapchat) display campaign will use local research statistics and highlight just how few young people are engaging in substance use and high-risk sexual activity. Data from the 2019 Alabama Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the PRIDE Survey were used in the creative graphics. The goal of Social Norm media campaigns is to combat misperceptions among youth and validate the desired behaviors of those who are not engaging in these activities. 
Even though visiting your school in person is not possible at this time, we would love to visit virtually to see what you and your students are doing to provide student-led prevention of adolescent risk behaviors through FOCUS and Peer Helping! If interested, please complete the form so that a member of the FOCUS staff may visit with your students virtually and see the amazing activities being planned in your school. Use the Google Form to contact us if you would like additional FOCUS Facilitator Training.
FOCUS
FOCUS is committed to supporting all Alabama schools in implementing student-led prevention of adolescent risk behaviors. Partnerships can be vital in increasing student access to youth-friendly, affordable, local services that could be provided
on-site, at a convenient off-site location,
or remotely. Visit 
www.thefocusprogram.com today to update your school's profile in FOCUS' membership database. Without current information, we are unable to maximize our service to you and keep you informed. 

Free marketing materials and resources ~while they last~ will be distributed to all active schools who have registered by January 1, 2021. (Schools previously registered for the 2020-2021 School Year will receive materials.)
Alumnus of the Month
Every month we will highlight one of FOCUS' alumni!
Our January Alumnus of the Month is Colin Marcum.

Colin Marcum is the former President of the Andalusia High School Peer Helpers where he played a large part in organizing and hosting the Andalusia, Alabama FOCUS rally. Throughout high school, Colin attended FOCUS Rallies all across the state of Alabama and credits FOCUS for aiding him in developing many key leadership skills which have led him to success at The University of Alabama.

Colin is a sophomore at the University of Alabama studying Operations Management with a minor in Political Science on the Pre-law track. Colin is currently involved within various organizations on campus including Student Government Association where he serves as a Senator within the Culverhouse College of Business. He is also a Student Alumni Ambassador for the University of Alabama Alumni Association where he works to foster relations with past alumni and recruit prospective students to the Capstone. Colin is actively involved within the Alpha Phi Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity where he serves as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair. While on campus Colin has founded two non profit organizations one being Shop Local Andalusia which went on to raise $16,000 in direct aid to small businesses within his hometown of Andalusia, AL. A future lawyer, Colin looks to bridge the gap between ethics and the common good of all people. With many talents, Colin hopes to encourage the future generations that you can do anything you put your mind to and always strive to leave a positive lasting impact upon the world and others.
Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. All month long, we will be sharing important resources and information on our social media accounts. Follow us as we debunk human trafficking myths, help you spot the signs of trafficking, learn how to keep your children safe on social media, and share what YOU can do to get involved.
 
Follow The WellHouse accounts by clicking the Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram links in the footer of this email and clicking "Follow" on our pages. Then, follow and use the campaign hashtag, #WellHouseHTPM, to see our Human Trafficking Prevention Month posts in your feed. Be sure to share our posts with your friends to help spread awareness!
Digging Deeper: 8 Reasons Children & Teens Get Mixed Up With Prescription Drugs
Read the article to see "eight key reasons why children and adolescents turn to prescription drugs, along with suggestions for how to counteract those underlying causes."
Connect with FOCUS!
Stay up to date on everything that is happening with FOCUS by following us on social media! Don't hesitate, follow us today!
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

FOCUS values continued partnerships with the following state and community organizations.

Alabama Department of Public Health
Alabama Department of Education
Alabama Campaign for Adolescent Sexual Health
Addiction Prevention Coalition
Children's Policy Council
Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama