The Building Our Lives Drug-free (BOLD) Coalition held a forum on March 17, 2010 to present a parenting-focused early intervention program designed to address childhood behavior problems. Psychologist Stephanie Shepard, Ph.D. of the Bradley Early Childhood Clinical Research Center in East Providence, RI, who oversees the Incredible Years Parent and Child Series in the Providence Area, described how the program operates and what it would take to offer a similar program in Fall River. BOLD is interested in bringing resources to the City that would reduce the potential for substance abuse. Randomized trials of the 20-session series have demonstrated improved parenting behaviors and reductions in problem behaviors among their children. Fall River Juvenile Court justice Jay Spinelli was particularly interested in learning about programs that could prevent children and families from having to appear before him for substance abuse and related behavior problems. Susan Wolfson of the BOLD Coalition arranged for the forum to be held at the courthouse and invited about a dozen agency representatives to hear the presentation. For more information about the project, contact BOLD Coalition director Karen Fischer at 508-324-3537.

(Top row) Donna Avylla of the Early Head Start program, who has been implementing the program in Providence, RI, and clinical psychologist Stephanie Shepard, Ph.D. of Bradley Hospital confer with Susan Wolfson of the B.O.L.D. Coalition before their presentation on The Incredible Years program to a group at the Fall River Juvenile Court. (Bottom row, left) Kuss Middle School parent coordinator Grace Mello, BOLD Coalition staff member Karin Wood and Jenny DiBlasi of People, Inc. listen as assistant clerk magistrate Jennifer Rosa responds to the presentation. (Bottom row, center) Juvenile Court justice Jay Spinelli asks about the feasibility of offering the Incredible Years program in Fall River as BCC tutoring coordinator Ronald Weisberger listens.