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Safe Homes

C.A.T.S. has established a Safe Homes Program in Derry. If you are interested in helping with this effort please contact us! We are grateful to the Salem NH High School District and the Central Buck’s County Healthier Community Team, Buck’s County, PA for their guidance.

“Safe Homes” is an effort to establish a voluntary parent network. Safe Homes provides a way that parents of children of middle or high school age can help their teens and others remain alcohol and drug-free. Parents can choose whether or not to participate. Participants are included in a Safe Homes directory listing the names of parents who share similar kinds of concerns and will be asked to sign a pledge. Parents can refer to the list when making decisions with their teens about attending social events.

The Safe Homes committee has designed a brochure (click here to download) with the program details and the pledge to help with recruitment of interested parents in Derry, Chester and Hampstead. A Safe Homes logo contest is in the planning – once a logo has been designed by local youth, printing of the Safe Homes participant packages will begin. The goal is to have a pilot network of parents who wish to participate so that a directory can be published for use by participating parents before prom and graduation season.

The intent is to reach as many families as possible so that this simple mechanism can create another safety net to protect youth during the high risk times of spring and summer.

You can help by:

If you are a parent or guardian of middle or high school aged youth – join the Safe Homes parent network.
Spread the word and recruit other parents to join
If you know of any business or corporation that might help with printing costs for the Safe Homes member packages/directories please let us know. Acknowledgement of this generous support will be noted on any printed materials.
Join the Safe Homes committee and help us plan the implementation of this valuable program!
Some of the benefits to signing the Safe Homes pledge:
Positive parental influence on their children/adolescents
Promotion of parents supporting parents
Challenging the attitude among youth, parents and the community that underage use of alcohol is normal, healthy behavior
Strengthen the communication among parents and their children/adolescents

If you want to be in the Safe Homes network of concerned parents please contact us!

Click here to register your Safe Homes pledge online.

Download a Safe Homes brochure.

The Pledge

The Safe Homes pledge is NOT a legally binding contract, but an “agreement” within families and between the network of parents.

1. I will actively supervise all gatherings or parties of youth in my home or property.

2. I will not serve nor allow the possession or use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs by youth in my home or property.

3. I will set expectations for my children by knowing where they are going, who they are with, what their plans are, and when they are to return home.

4. I will provide a secure place in my home for all forms of alcohol, prescription and over-the- counter drugs, firearms and other potentially hazardous items.

5. I will not permit any guest who arrives or appears to be intoxicated to drive, and will alert appropriate parents.

6. I will communicate with other parents and agree on expectations and rules for youth regarding movies, video games, and computer use as well as a no drug or alcohol use policy.

7. I will welcome phone calls from other parents to join efforts in providing a safe healthy, drug-free home and community.