FULLERTON : Community Group Offers Parent Classes

A series of classes is being offered this fall to teach parents how to communicate better with their children.

The classes, being taught in English and Spanish, are part of a gang-prevention program called CUFFS, for Community United for Fullerton Safety. CUFFS received state grants of $450,000 in each of the last two years.

CUFFS is an umbrella organization under which city, county and state agencies apply for funds to set up programs in education, gang prevention, law enforcement, probation and prosecution. The classes are open to all parents who want to attend.

Communication between parents and children must start very early, said CUFFS Coordinator Bob Taylor. “The stronger the bonds in a family, the greater the chances that a kid is going to stay on the straight and narrow,” Taylor said.

English-language classes will be held at Nicolas Jr. High School, 1100 W. Olive St.

At each of the sessions, a speaker from the Coalition for Children, Adolescents and Parents, an Orange nonprofit educational group, will talk about self-esteem, drugs, sex, alcohol and setting limits for children.

Classes in Spanish, covering the same topics, will be given at the Maple Community Center, 244 E. Valencia Drive.

Both sets of classes will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through Nov. 10.

“I think that kids want adults to set rules, and a lot of times they misbehave to get some guidance,” said Taylor.

Taylor, formerly principal of Ladera Vista Junior High School, became CUFFS coordinator this year. He encourages even parents who have infant children to attend the classes. Child care is free.

When he was at Ladera Vista, Taylor founded Youth Expecting Success, a student group which works to build civic and personal responsibility and cultural acceptance.

“You have to keep plugging away with them,” Taylor said of students. “Give them a lot of guidance, a lot of support. Almost all of them will respond. I’ve seen it happen time after time.”

The CUFFS grant has sponsored counseling and educational programs at three Fullerton schools: Nicolas, La Vista Continuation High School and Fullerton High School.

Parents who want to attend the classes are asked to call Taylor at (714) 447-7775.