P.A.T.C.H. strengthens bonds between parents and teens
The teenage years can be a bumpy road for children and their parents alike. The child you used to feel so close to may suddenly seem distant. Simple annoyances like a dad’s whistling or a teenager’s heavy footsteps might spiral into arguments. Or there could be deeper issues that have been bubbling under the surface and finally boil over.
To help families navigate this difficult territory, Oakland Family Services’ Specialized Services for Youth program is excited to introduce P.A.T.C.H. (Parents and Teens Creating Hope).
P.A.T.C.H. helps parents and teens learn ways to:
Express their concerns,
Learn better communication techniques,
Empower themselves so that they can advocate/speak up for their needs in schools and in the community,
Form friendships and connections,
Support and improve children and teens’ mental health services.
P.A.T.C.H. will meet monthly to discuss topics from cultural diversity to mental health awareness. It will also cover topics specific to parents and teens. For example, teens can participate in mock job interviews, while parents can learn about creating Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) with their teen’s school.
One of the ways P.A.T.C.H. is different from other support groups is that discussions are organic, so the conversation can flow naturally between families. The groups are also peer-led with a parent support partner from Oakland Family Services.
New attendees are welcome to join one, some or all sessions on Zoom (Meeting ID: 807-833-7070). P.A.T.C.H. is open to any parents or teens who are interested — you do not need to be an existing Oakland Family Services client to participate. For more information, please call Jennifer Batey, parent support partner, at (248) 496-3937.
P.A.T.C.H. is an evolution of Specialized Services' for Youth’s PAC/TAC, a previous initiative made up of the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) and Teen Advisory Council (TAC).
Specialized Services for Youth is funded by Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN).
Join us
P.A.T.C.H. meetings run from noon to 1 p.m. every first Monday of the month on Zoom (Meeting ID 807-833-7070).