BROOKINGS – Avera Behavioral Health Brookings, Brookings County Child Protection Team, Teesdale Law Office and other entities are joining the national effort with The Partnership to End Addiction to celebrate family with the second annual Brookings Family Bash. 

The event will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. tonight at Dakota Nature Park and includes a free meal as well as multiple free activities provided by community organizations.

Raising Resilient Kids is a national initiative to promote simple acts of parental and community engagement as key ways to help prevent risky substance use in children and teens. Research shows that children with hands-on parents as well as a community they feel they belong in, are far less likely to smoke, drink or use other drugs. 

“Every child deserves to grow up healthy and happy with an adolescence that is free from addiction. Parents, one of the best ways you can help keep your kids substance free is to be engaged in their lives – that includes being there for them at dinner,” said Jeffrey Lane, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse’s chairman. “The conversations that take place during family dinners give you a window into what your kids are going through and helps you keep the lines of communication open with them.”

Entities including the SDSU Baseball Team, Brookings County Youth Mentoring Program, South Dakota State University Extension, Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Brookings Area United Way, Child and Family Resource Network and more will provide free family-based activities at Dakota Nature Park. 

Creating concrete supports in the community and within family systems can prevent or delay teen alcohol and drug use thus positively impacting their overall health. Avera Behavioral Health of Brookings is committed to strengthening families and community and believes that celebrating Raising Resilient Kids Family Day is an important first step. 

For additional information about The Brookings Family Bash event, visit The Brookings County Child Protection Team Facebook page or the “Brookings Family Bash” event.