Family and Community Resources
Overview
As parents, guardians, and caretakers, you play a key role in complementing and reinforcing what students are learning in school through discussions and activities at home. You are co-educators, particularly when family values are inherent in health education topics such as sexuality, food choices, and alcohol and drug use prevention. In an effort to support parents, guardians, and caretakers in building their confidence and comfort around discussing sensitive health topics with their children, the following resources provide information and practical strategies on how to talk to kids about various topics. Additional information and resources specific to each health content area are also shared below.
An Overview of the 2019 Health Education Framework for California Public Schools:
Ever wonder what Health Education content is covered at each grade level? Check out the brochures created by the California Department of Education (CDE), which summarize the health content taught in each grade band from Kindergarten to High School.
How to Talk to Your Kids About Health
The New Drug Talk
The New Drug Talk: Connect to Protect is an online resource hub developed by the nonprofit Song for Charlie, in partnership with the California Department of Healthcare Services, that is packed with videos, talking points, and supportive tips to help parents and caregivers get comfortable connecting with their kids and discussing fentanyl and mental health.
Talking With Your Teens About Sex: Going Beyond “The Talk”
This CDC resource offers practical actions and information for parents to help strengthen their efforts to positively engage with their teens and to support meaningful discussions with them about sex.
How to Talk to Your Teen About Dating & Sexual Assault
WEAVE offers support with talking to your teens about dating and sexual assault. These resources help you teach your child about asking first, respecting boundaries, and letting them know you will always be there if anything happens.
Talk with your Kids
As a parent or guardian, you want to help your kids stay safe and healthy. This resource provides help with talking with your kids openly, honestly, and often. Let them know that they can go to you for help and information.
Talk About Alcohol With Your Teen
Talk. They Hear You. SAMHSA’s substance use prevention campaign helps parents and caregivers start talking to their children early about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs.
Talking to Your Teens About Their Mental Health - 10 Tips and A Conversation Guide
This guide is meant to help parents and families who are concerned about their teen’s mental health and emotional well-being have important conversations with their child. What to Do if You’re Concerned About Your Teen’s Mental Health: A Conversation Guide: Parent Conversation Guide (JED 2018).pdf
Opioids: Facts Parents Need to Know
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides this guide to help parents and guardians talk with their kids about opioids. Includes opioid facts for teens and conversation starters for parents and guardians.
How to Talk to Your Kids About Online Safety - Thorn
Be your kid's safety net. Kids today face a very different set of challenges. There’s a whole new landscape where a child’s relationship with technology and normal sexual development overlap, with a whole new set of experiences online. And they need your help to navigate it safely. Thorn provide information, tips, resources, and conversation starter to help you start the conversation about online safety with your kids.
Nutrition and Physical Activity
Resources
Growth, Development, and Sexual Health
Resources
Injury Prevention and Safety
Resources
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
Resources
Let’s Talk Cannabis - California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Parent Resources for Nicotine and Vaping Prevention for Grades K-4 and 5-12
Catching It Early: Parent Resources for Drug Prevention and Early Action
Parent Resource Library - e-Books and Guides on Fentanyl , Marijuana, Vaping, and Alcohol
Drug Guide: A comprehensive and up-to-date source of substance-specific information
Mental, Emotional, and Social Health
Resources
Personal and Community Health
Resources
