January 2021
January 2021: A fresh start
Vaping 101
While the latest indicators nationwide show that youth vaping rate have remained steady at 22% of 12th graders, use appears to be increasing in Ottawa County. Vaping has many harmful consequences, including nicotine addiction, altered brain development, lung damage and increased risk of contracting COVID 19. Many of our youth report that they vape as a way to manage their stress levels.
So what can we do as parents?? Remember that knowledge is power. Stay up to date on vaping facts by visiting the TalkSooner website. The American Lung Association is also a good source of information, and both sites also offer tips on starting the vaping conversation. Part of educating yourself also involves knowing what to look for when we use the term "vapes". Visit this page to see if you can find the
to find the seven vaping devices hiding in plain sight.
Making Your Family Thrive
We all want our families to flourish, for our kids to be all that they can be. The Thriving Family campaign focuses on how we, as community members and family members, can help to both understand the challenges we face as a community and to build the skills and protective factors to make sure every child, teen, parent and family can thrive. These include working to have strong bonds, open communication, goals and expectations for your family. Find out more about this valuable resource here.

The BRY Lunch Series is back for 2021
Tuesdays 12-1 PM
1/19 The Importance of Community Service
1/26 QPR
The Building Resilient Youth lunch series is back with a slate of educational, inspirational and actionable topics that will make your Tuesday lunch hour into a weekly event you won't want to miss.
January topics include movement as a resilience strategy, the value and importance of community service and our monthly QPR session. Go to the BRY events page to register. See you Tuesday at noon!


Strong Connections
The pandemic has been hard on everyone, especially our teenagers, who are already navigating many challenges in their lives. To help address this need, Arbor Circle is launching the Strong Connections Teen Group. This group gives teens who may be struggling an opportunity to learn various life/coping skills and to become more familiar with mental health issues. It also gives them a chance to connect with their peers, something that can be difficult right now. Forming connections is crucial to teen social and emotional development.
Examples of topics to be covered are:
Managing Stress and Anxiety
Effective Communication
 Building Relationships
    Decision-Making
Goal Setting
The Strong Connections Teen Group meets once weekly on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:00pm. All meetings are held virtually through Zoom. The group is open to any teenagers between the ages of 13-17.
To register for the program or to make a referral, please contact Colin Moylan at [email protected]. 

Crisis Resources--available 365 days/year
If you feel like you are in a crisis, or that anyone in your family is in crisis, here are some important numbers:
  • 24 hour Ottawa County Hotlines: in Grand Haven: 616-842 HELP (4357); in Holland: **616-396-HELP(4357) all other areas 1-866-512 HELP(4357)
  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
  • Arbor Circle in Holland: 616-396-2301
  • Catholic Charities: 616- 796-9595
  • Wedgewood Christian Services: 616- 930-5004
  • Ottawa CMH: 616-392-1873
  • DHHS Warmline: 1-888-733-7753 10am-2am help for anxiety, depression, and trauma, staffed by peer support specialists.
  • AA meetings online: https://www.aaonlinemeeting.net/
  • NA meetings: https://virtual-na.org/
  • Alanon meetings: https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/
  • Resource help: http://211.org/
  • Positive Options is ready to serve you if you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. It offers free pregnancy testing, options counseling and early ultrasound (upon eligibility). Visit mypositiveoptions.org or call a center near you. (Holland - 616 396-5840; Grand Haven - 616 842-7510; Allendale - 616 895-1893; Allegan - 269-686-7111)
Ottawa Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition
Contact Leigh Moerdyke at [email protected]


Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OSAPCoalition
Talk Early. Talk Often. Learn How. www.talksooner.org