Parent Resources for a Healthier Porter County
Parents and caregivers play one of the most important roles in preventing substance use, supporting mental health, and keeping kids safe. This page brings together trusted tools, conversations starters, and local contacts to help you guide your child or teen through the real challenges they face in Valparaiso, Portage, Chesterton, and across Porter County.
Prevention Roadmap
What to Watch For, When to Talk, and Where to Go For Help.
Prevention works best when it starts early and stays consistent. Our Prevention Roadmap helps families understand key milestones — late elementary, middle school, and high school — and the risks that tend to show up at each stage.
Prevention Resources
Watch
to learn about vaping and start a conversation with your kids
Learn MoreLearn
about marijuana use & teens
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How to prevent youth alcohol use
Learn MoreToolkit:
Parenting Playbooks & The Youth Risk Assessment Tool
Learn MoreToolkit:
Prevention tips for every age
Learn MoreRead
about reporting drug use in adolescents
Learn MoreRecognize
signs of traumatic stress & its impact on youth
Learn MoreLearn
about risk & protective factors
Learn MoreDownload
the talk. they hear you. Mobile app for parents
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about drug use & addiction
Learn MoreWatch
to learn about items in your home that may indicate substance use
Learn MoreWatch
to learn the early warning signs of youth substance use
Learn MoreWhat To Expect
when talking to your teen about suspected drug use
Learn MoreDecoding
the ways the teens may talk about drugs online
Learn MoreLearn
about Indiana's opioid epidemic
Learn MoreUnderstand
the drugs the teens may be using and signs to watch for
Learn MoreLearn
how to have an effective conversation with your teen
Learn More5 Tips
for talking to your kids about substance use
Learn MorePrepare
to have the tough conversation with your teen
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Helping you start the hard conversations.
Talk They Hear You
The SAMHSA “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign gives parents simple, age-appropriate ways to talk with kids about alcohol, vaping, and other substances — before problems start. Even if your child seems quiet, distracted, or “not listening,” research shows they are hearing you.
Learn MoreWhy You Should Talk With Your Child About Alcohol and Other Drugs
One of the most influential factors during a child’s adolescence is maintaining a strong, open relationship with a parent.1 When parents create supportive and nurturing environments, children make better decisions.
Learn More5 Conversation Goals Fact Sheet
Research suggests that one of the most important factors in healthy child development is a strong, open relationship with a parent. It is important to start talking to your children…
Learn MoreAnswering Tough Questions
As your child becomes curious about alcohol and other drugs, he or she may turn to you for answers and advice. Use this opportunity to start an open, honest conversation…
Learn MoreAge Appropriate Conversations
Although it may not always seem like it, kids really do listen to their parents’ and caregivers’ concerns, which is why it’s important to talk with them about the risks…
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