Parent Alert October 2022

By turningpc | October 27, 2022

Fun Family Fall Activities

I love fall.  The colors, the sweater weather, the hot chocolate, and getting together with family and friends for a bonfire or high school football game.  There is so much to do this time of year from going to school events, preparing the yard for the inevitable foot of snow that is coming, and trying to figure out whether you should wear a sweater or a coat outside.  Even though there is so much to do, it is important to make time to enjoy the season with those you love.  Here are just a few ideas for how to enjoy this time of year.  Visit the links below for more fun ideas.

  • Visiting a local farmer's market or pumpkin patch, going to a high school football game, going apple picking, and going on a nature walk are just a few ways to spend some time outside of the house
  • There are many fun fall recipes that are delicious and easy to make.  Donuts, crock pot apple cider, candy corn popsicles, and caramel apples are just a few of the many great recipes that celebrate this time of year.
  • Having a family bonfire, watching a movie, doing some arts and crafts, and making big leaf piles to jump in are great ideas for when you want to stay home

Local Fall Fun

Wayne County has several options for fun fall activities.  Here are just a few ideas for where you can go for quality time with friends and family.  Check out the links for more information.

  • Ramseyer Farms in Wooster, OH has plenty of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.  Some of the activities that can be enjoyed are corn mazes, a pumpkin patch, feeding goats, games, and much more.  Ramseyer Farms will also be hosting a Not-So-Spooky Halloween on Saturday, October 29th from 11 AM-7 PM, and Sunday, October 30th from 1 PM-6 PM.
  • Bauman Orchards in Rittman, OH has fresh fruit that can be enjoyed by everyone.
  • Orr Park in Orrville, OH is a great place to spend the day with the family.  The park has walking trails, basketball courts, baseball fields, and playground equipment.

Resources

25 Best Fall Deserts
50 Fun Family Fall Activities
Easy Fall Kids Crafts That Anyone Can Make!
Upcoming Events in Wayne County

A Proclamation on National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month

On September 30th, 2022, President Biden signed a proclamation recognizing October 2022 as being National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month.  This proclamation helps bring even more awareness to the topic of substance use prevention among youth, and also shows that the federal government is focused on using evidence-based practices to prevent the nation's youth from engaging in risky activities like drinking alcohol, vaping, and using counterfeit pills.  Here are a couple of highlights from the proclamation.  A link to the full proclamation can be found below.

"During National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month, we rededicate ourselves to transforming the lives of America’s youth through prevention.  We commit to building and supporting communities where young Americans can live healthy and fulfilling lives, free from the dangers of substance use, laying the groundwork for strong future generations.

... Preventing substance use during adolescence has been shown to significantly reduce the chance of developing a substance use disorder later in life.  For every dollar we spend today on effective school-based prevention programs, we save $18 in the future by avoiding potential medical costs and boosting productivity on the job.  Prevention programs also make young people less likely to one day have children who use substances, highlighting the far-reaching value these efforts have across generations."

Full Proclamation: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/09/30/a-proclamation-on-national-youth-substance-use-prevention-month-2022/

Alcohol Use and Intimate Partner Violence

October has been recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month since 1987.  Domestic violence, preferably called intimate partner violence, is a tragic issue that impacts millions of men and women throughout the world.  This month gives all of us an opportunity to recognize survivors of intimate partner violence and advocate for victims.  Research is constantly being done to look at the reasons why intimate partner violence happens in order to better inform how to approach this difficult problem.  One of the factors being research when looking at these cases is if there is a correlation between the misuse of alcohol and intimate partner violence.  Recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that roughly 55% of abusers were drinking alcohol prior to assaulting their partners.  Unfortunately, the misuse of alcohol is not just found amongst abusers, but it can also be found in abuse victims.  Research indicates that women who are abused are fifteen times more likely to misuse alcohol.  A global study on intimate partner violence also indicated that rates of domestic violence were higher in relationships where one or both partners misused alcohol when compared to relationships where neither person did.

Alcohol can be a catalyst for abuse because of how it impacts mood and decision making, but it is never solely responsible for incidents of intimate partner violence.  Many abusers will use alcohol and substance use disorders as being the reason they abuse, but there are underlying reasons for abuse that cannot be blamed on the use of alcohol.  The reasons for why abuse happens are complex and varied, and can never be fully placed on one thing.  Abusers attempt to distance themselves from the pain they inflict by placing the blame on something else.  There is currently no research proving a cause and effect relationship between alcohol use and intimate partner violence, and the research has only shown that the issues of alcohol misuse and intimate partner violence overlap as two separate issues.

Misusing alcohol is a factor in two-thirds of intimate partner violence, but abusers are still violent even when they are sober.  Intimate partner violence is also an issue in countries where alcohol is banned which is further evidence that these two issues overlap rather than have a cause and effect relationship.  Both of these issues are difficult to confront, and there is no one right answer for how to fix either of these things.  However, you can help by supporting victims and bringing awareness to intimate partner violence.  Please visit the links below for more information about the relationship between alcohol use and intimate partner violence.  There are also contacts and agencies listed for victims to receive help.  There may not be any permanent fix, but we can all work together to bring awareness to intimate partner violence and it's victims in an effort to make the world a better place for everyone.

Resources

Sources Used for This Article

Alcohol and Domestic Abuse
The Combination of Domestic Abuse and Alcohol
What's the Connection Between Alcohol Abuse and Domestic Violence?

Helpful Resources and Contact Information

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN)

OneEighty Inc.: 24 Hour Hotline for Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault                           1-800-686-1122
Thank you for being a vital part of our community!
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