Parent & Caregiver Support

Raising children is hard work. Team Up is hosting events, developing tools and compiling resources to make it easier.

Free Workshops

Team Up offers free in-person and digital workshops across Southwest Colorado to connect caregivers with one other and build skills to support our children, youth and adolescents.

Workshops include free dinner and childcare and are tailored to help parents and caregivers understand how to navigate challenging topics and situations around youth mental health.

Youth Mental Health Workshop Series

Across the region, youth mental health has become a priority area for youth-serving organizations, nonprofits, and schools. Our teams realize that families are struggling with challenging and complex situations and parents don’t always have the resources to understand and support their children’s mental health. This fall, our workshops are dedicated to youth mental health, so caregivers can feel confident addressing mental health concerns and building stronger relationships with their youth!

This is an opportunity for parents of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to come together to connect and learn. All are welcome and we encourage you to bring a friend. Please register ahead of time so we can plan for your food, childcare, and interpretation needs. While registration is encouraged, walk-ins are welcome!

Workshop Sessions:

  • With Genevieve Travis, MAEC, MSW, LCSW

    It can be difficult to know the difference between typical child and adolescent behavior and something more serious. This workshop is designed to help parents like you navigate the complexities of child and adolescent mental wellness. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of your child's emotional world, some of the science behind it, and leave with some additional knowledge and tools to provide effective, compassionate support to your child

    Logistics:

    Tuesday, September 30th from 5:30-7:15pm at Pine River Library in Bayfield- 395 Bayfield Center Drive, Bayfield CO.

  • with Liza Williams, Alternative Horizons Domestic Violence Services Advocate, and Lisa Donelan, in collaboration with the ROAR Coalition.

    This special event features separate parent and teen sessions. Because of the teen session, childcare will not be provided for the youngsters, but they are welcome to hang out with us in the parent session!

    Parent Session

    Parenting isn’t easy, and sometimes the hardest part is knowing how to keep the lines of communication open. This workshop is all about building a safe and supportive space where your teen feels comfortable coming to you for help, advice, or just to talk.

    Together, we’ll explore:

    • How to create the right conditions for real, meaningful conversations.

    • Using a simple “code word” your child can use when they need support.

    • Ways to prevent conflict and keep conversations calm, even when emotions run high.

    • How to notice red and yellow flags—and respond in a way that keeps the door open instead of shutting it.

    • Respecting your child’s autonomy and boundaries while staying connected.

    We’ll also have an anonymous Q&A session where you can submit questions ahead of time with a QR code, or drop them into the “Q Jar” during the workshop.

    This is a welcoming space to learn, share, and walk away with tools you can use right away to strengthen your connection with your teen—while giving them the freedom to grow and thrive.

    Teen Session

    Ever had a friend going through something tough and didn’t know what to say—or worried you might come across the wrong way? You’re not alone. Many of us can think back to times when we wished we had spoken up more for ourselves or for a friend, but hesitation or discomfort got in the way.

    That’s why we’re coming together on Tuesday, 10/07 for an evening of fun games, laughter, and real conversation. This is a chance to connect, share, and practice simple ways we can better support our friends, our community, and ourselves—while enjoying a night of connection and care.

    Logistics:

    • Tuesday, October 7th from 5:30-7:15pm at Pine River Library, 395 Bayfield Center Drive, Bayfield, CO

  • with Nonviolent Communication Coach Rachel Turiel

    Description: There are plenty of challenges to finding common ground with youth, including increased stress and mental health issues, tech and substance use, and their desire for more autonomy and independence. Learn some key skills and tools to navigating these challenges and finding ways to understand and dialogue with the youth in your life.

    Logistics:

    • Thursday, October 9th from 5:30-7:15pm at Team Up, 1315 Main Ave, Suite 121, Durango, CO

    • We love our multicultural community and aim to support all caregivers with the tools they need to participate: Simultaneous interpretation will be available by request!

  • with Vale Zins, LSW, MSW

    Youth have a lot to say about their need for support, understanding, advocacy, and authentic relationships. Join us for a discussion about ways to show up for these needs, including normalizing mental health, modeling coping skills, and being a trusted adult.

    Logistics:

    • Wednesday, October 15th from 5:30-7:15pm at the Hive DGO, 1175 Camino del Rio, Durango

    • We love our multicultural community and aim to support all caregivers with the tools they need to participate: Simultaneous interpretation will be available by request!

Not seeing a good fit?

Our teams are planning two additional workshops in Montezuma County this fall and hope to provide offerings in Ignacio, in Spanish, and virtually in the Spring. Join our mailing list or follow our Facebook page to stay in the loop!

Keep scrolling for virtual parenting resources you can access on your own time.

Transportation shouldn’t be a barrier to accessing education, resources and opportunities.

Team Up offers families this growing library of parent and caregiver resources on topics that parents, teachers, counselors, and youth themselves have identified needing support with.

Key topics include:

Communication

Internet and Social Media Safety

Bullying and Peer Pressure

Emotional Regulation

Parenting Resources

Communication and Conflict

  • Much of our household conflict between caregivers and children boils down to challenges with communication. We Team Up with Nonviolent Communication Coach Rachel Turiel to dig into topics like navigating challenging conversations, de-escalating conflict, and finding common ground with your youth.

  • Informative handout from Rachel’s workshop on Navigating Challenging Conversations to build trust.

  • Unicef article to help caregivers approach conversations with empathy and understanding.

  • Resources for caregivers to help kids learn coping and resilience-building techniques.

  • Free online course on conflict de-escalation from ParentGuidance.org

Bullying & Peer Pressure

  • Workshop slidedeck from local experts Al Wolfe and Taylar Moorehouse that addresses strategies to recognize bulying and peer pressure and act with intention.

  • Resources for parents and carers to understand bullying and take action to support our youth.

  • Quick guide for adults to help prevent bullying and empower youth to develop advocacy skills.

  • Mountain Youth workshop recording showcasing two local experts who provide tools and resources to parents and their youth on how to talk about consent, the importance of developing positive youth-adult and peer-peer relationships, and how we can work together to create a “consent culture.” 

Technology and Social Media Safety

  • Internet and social media are shaping our society in ways we don’t always understand. As parents who didn’t have this experience growing up, we don’t always know how to support our children with safe and healthy screen and media consumption. We’ve Teamed Up with La Plata Youth Services’ Chris Brown to develop a supportive workshop and gather internet resources so we can learn together how to keep our kiddos safe!

  • View Chris Brown’s Internet Safety and Screen Awareness slide deck here!

  • Family support resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness

  • NY Times article with recommendations for tools to set safety controls on your child’s devices!

  • Workshop recording on sleep and strategies to improve sleep health from Eagle County organization Mountain Youth.

Youth Mental Health

Other Virtual Parenting Resources

  • Find courses on parenting by topic as well as education and therapeutic support to empower and give you hope as you support your child’s mental health.

  • Parent hub for bullying information, laws and policy, and mobile and online safety

  • Sesame Workshop offers a ton of age-appropriate resources on topics important to families.

  • Evidence-based activities to help kids develop emotional intelligence and resist negative peer influence.

The supports and resources provided by Team Up are made possible by the collaborative work of our Action Teams.

Team Up Action Teams are comprised of people and organizations working toward a common outcome that come together to solve previously ‘unsolvable’ community-identified problems.

Southwest Colorado Action Teams

sup·port (definition): bear all or part of the weight of; hold up.

We all can face unforeseen financial, living, and caretaking circumstances. Team Up can connect you with the support resources you need when facing an uncertain situation.