The 13th Grade

A systematic approach to dealing with issues
associated with families and adolescence.

To the parent(s)

• Are you having difficulty getting your teen-ager to attend school?
• Are you dissatisfied with your teen's school performance?
• Is your teen-ager having problems with teachers, peers, or siblings?
• Are you experiencing difficulty with your relationship with your teen in areas such as: communication, cooperation, family participation, and acceptance of responsibility?
• Are you concerned with the possibility of your teen being exposed to drug/alcohol usuage?
• Are you concerned about your teen's decision making in such things as choosing friends and/or activities?
• Is your teen shy or withdrawn?
• Do you think your teen suffers from poor motivation, opposition to authority, or lack of positive direction?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, the 13th grade may be what you're looking for.

It is a mistake for you to expect your personal or professional life to just "Come Together" based on fate.

The 13th Grade is a program developed for parents and their adolescent's aged 12 to 17. It is presented in a three stage format that will allow the adults and teens to learn first with their peers and then with each other.

This series of groups help parents explore the following concepts:

• Problem Identification
• Adolescent Growth and Development
• Techniques for Effective Parenting
• Single Parenting Skills
• Interpersonal Communications
• Family Dynamics
• Goal Setting and Problem Solving Techniques
• Community Resource identification and Utilization
• Net Working / Support Group Development

Stage I (Adolescents)

This series of groups help adolescents explore the following concepts:

• Problem Identification
• Issues of Self-Concept and Identity
• Values Clarification
• Academic Performance
• Interpersonal Communication Skills
• Family Dynamics
• Development of a Positive, Success Oriented Attitude
• Planning and Goal Setting

In these family group sessions parent(s) and their adolescents will work to develop a cooperative, mutually supportive relationship that will enable them to more effectively deal with those issues that impact their lives, and their way of living.

Topics explored will include problem identification and resolution, goal setting, negotiation of family roles and rules, advanced communication skills, and development of a comprehensive individualized family life plan, which includes therapist assessment and recommendations.

This series of groups will serve as a support/educational/therapy group, with the goals of *helping participants maintain agreements, and behavorial changes, made in stages I and II.

* Identify the blocks and barriers for action required to fully actualize established plans, and help keep the channels of communication open for continued assessment for the purpose of providing referral to appropriate community resource when the need is identified.

The 13th Grade is a process of growth and renewal which takes a systematic approach to problem identification and resolution, unlike parenting classes or open ended groups, this is a program tailored to meet the specific needs of the group participants and culminates with each family developing its own family life plan, based on issues, concerns, identified needs and goals of each family member, and the family as a whole.

The ongoing support group serves as a means of providing supportive feedback into the family system, alternatives to identified problems and concerns, and ongoing growth opportunity.

Stage I consist of 12 group meetings of 1.5 hours per session.
Stage II consists of 12 family group meetings of 1.5 hours per session.
Stage III after care support group participation is based on final assesment conducted in Stage II. Participation could include individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling, and/or referral to community based resources.

Cost of Services: Services are provided on a fee for service contract, and on a sliding scale basis. For more information, you may e-mail us at yesitisi@earthlink.net, or call us at (310) 515-7097.

For more information about the 13th Grade©:
You can e-mail us at yesitisi@earthlink.net.