The programs, which use information developed by the National Parent Resource Institute for Drug Education, help parents learn more about effective parenting. The focus will include setting consequences, developing trust, and establishing a clear family belief system. In addition, the series will offer parents practical hints for helping their children avoid problems of pre-adolescence and adolescence.

"Parents Take Charge!" kicks off Monday, Nov. 3, and continues on Nov. 10, 17 and 24 and Dec. 1. Each program will be presented at 12 noon in Conference Room A at MMC and repeated at 6 p.m. at the Scarboro Community Center.

Facilitators for the noon sessions are Nancy Lesesne, executive director of CREAM, and Sheila Michel, a teacher with the Middle School Teen AIDS Prevention Program and coordinator of the "Kids on the Block" puppet programs. Mel Palmer, director of the Employee Assistance Program at MMC and a trained facilitator, will lead the evening sessions.

Lesesne has been a high school counselor for 10 years and has worked as the Oak Ridge Students' Parenting Center's counselor. The mother of two middle school students, she has facilitated parent education programs for many years.

Michel has extensive experience in working with children of all ages. Through her work with "Kids on the Block," she helps children better understand issues related to health, education, social awareness, and drugs and alcohol.

Palmer, director of MMC's Employee Assistance Program, earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He is a nationally certified addiction counselor and has more than a decade of experience facilitating therapy groups and training seminars.

Parents are invited to attend any or all sessions of "Parents Take Charge!" Those who complete the entire series will receive a large pizza from Big Ed's Pizza.

The programs are directed primarily to parents of elementary and middle school students, but the information may be useful to others, as well. For more information, call Lesesne at 482-6375 or Women's Center Director Flavia Hage at 481-1828.