THOUSAND OAKS : Drug Agency Puts On Parenting Faire

Parenting skills, including how to deal with gangs, drugs and divorce, will be the topic of discussion at a Parenting Faire on Saturday in Thousand Oaks.

Mental-health professionals will speak at 20 workshops throughout the day, said Shoshana Brower, one of the event’s organizers.

Topics will include children’s self-esteem, eating disorders, painful childhood memories, stepfamilies, child and spousal abuse, fatherhood and talking to children about sexuality.

The event marks the first time that a Parenting Faire has been sponsored by the Conejo Substance Abuse Prevention Authority, a group of city, park, school and county representatives that was formed in 1980.

Through the use of magic and group manipulation, licensed clinical social worker Arnold Bloch will show parents how easy it is to be misled by gangs and cults.

His workshop will be offered only once.

“The main thrust will be helping families to become more aware of the different ways in which they are vulnerable to negative peer groups,” said Bloch, who works with families and children who are involved in gangs or cults or are victims of ritual abuse. “I want to show them ways to make their children more impervious to the effect of negative social influences.”

Jean Ferguson, a marriage, family and child counselor, will speak on single parenting at the first, second and third sessions.

“It’s important to provide structure and not be overwhelmed, even if there is only one of you,” said Ferguson, who has worked with teen-agers and single parents.

The Parenting Faire will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3645 N. Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks. Dr. Robert Coombs of UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute will deliver the keynote speech at 9 a.m.

The Faire can accommodate 250 visitors.

A $5 registration fee is required to cover the cost of lunch, but the public can attend the workshops at no charge, said Thousand Oaks Community Services Manager Joe Hinsberg.

Free child care is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on space.

Those wishing to attend are encouraged to make reservations by calling Hinsberg at (805) 496-8601.