Workshop series and pizza too!

The Blaine family service center is hosting a fall workshop series for the community on family and developmental issues. Guest speakers who specialize in areas ranging from divorce to bullying lead discussions to help parents learn strategies for coping with some of the difficult issues they face raising children.

The first workshop on November 6, led by Betty Scott from the Whatcom County Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, explored mental illness in children. “Betty has spoken on campus for the past two years. This is your chance to explore an important discussion of childhood depression and anxiety as well as other issues that impact our kids,” said Wendy Beardslee, family service center program coordinator.

Elisa Becerra, who works with Brigid Collins in Bellingham, will return for the second year to lead a discussion entitled What To Do About Bullying on November 20. “We have some excellent material that provides good, practical strategies for parents and kids, whether a child bullies or is being bullied,” said Beardslee.

December 4 Barbara Rofkar, of the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center, will lead Parenting Through Divorce for parents who find themselves trying to successfully co-parent their school-age child following divorce.

Center director Leaf Schumann, a past child protective services social worker and school counselor, will lead a December 18 discussion on child abuse. “We’ll talk about a little history, indicators, and the law,” he said. “It will be useful for anyone who works with kids or has ever had questions about this unfortunate issue.”

All discussions will be in the Blaine Elementary School Library from 6-8:30 pm. Pizza and child care will be provided, but participants must pre-register so organizers can make sure they have enough of both. To pre-register call Schumann, Beardslee or Andree Marcus-Nelson at 332-7179..
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