Registration under way for anger management classes

Taking care of young children can be a demanding task and sometimes parents seek out help and advice. A family-focused program, usually reaching out to parents in need with in-home classes throughout the Tri-parishes, will extend its services to a more public setting.

The Bayou Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will offer limited-seating workshops focusing on anger management skills for both parents and children and an educational program designed specifically for parents.

The council will kick-off a five-session parent education course at the Bayou Council on Alcoholism office in Thibodaux on Jan. 9 and every Tuesday of the month. The last class will be held on Feb. 6.

Wednesday courses will be available and held at the Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Office, beginning Jan. 10 until Feb. 7. All education presentations are about two hours and begin at 10 a.m.

Parents must attend all five session to complete the course. There is no fee to enroll and the classes are open to the public, however, participants must pre-register.

The parent education programs focus on child behavior, discipline, communication, conflict resolution, emotions and feelings and many more informative topics to help develop new ideas and parenting skills.

A three-session “Fireworks” Anger Management Course is dedicated to helping adults over the age of 18 understand anger and stress and find constructive coping methods.

Space is limited and enrollment must be completed by Jan. 9. There is a $75 registration fee, which includes course materials for the three sessions held on Jan. 11, 18 and 25. Fireworks will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the council office in Thibodaux.

“Fire and Ice” Anger Management Classes are catered to the younger crowd. Parents can enroll children between ages nine and 13 for a course focused on sound decision-making and teach ways to deal with anger and keeping positive attitudes.

Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon courses are available upon registration beginning Jan. 9 until Feb. 7, held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Registration, including a $25 fee, must be completed by Jan. 5 to participate.

The council is a non-profit program serving seven parishes including the Tri-parish area. Executive Director Jackie Meyers said the council is focused on creating an awareness of the severe drug and alcohol problem that plagues the Bayou Region.

“We’ve found that if we address the problems or the issues that have shown to lead children to using drugs or alcohol, we can help turn the child around before it gets serious,” she said.

Meyers said the State of Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Federal Alcohol and Drug Mental Health Services Block Grant as well as course fees fund council programs.

The council also relies heavily on the number of Bayou Region residents who volunteer their time to community workshops and “Families in Focus” n an in-home course that touches on anger management, parent education, alcohol and drug education as well as community awareness programs.

To register for upcoming classes or obtain additional information on “Families in Focus” or other programs, contact the Bayou Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse at (985) 446-0643 or 1-800-618-9444. The council office is located at 504 St. Louis St. in downtown Thibodaux.