Description: Military and veteran kids experience unique stressors that may influence their decisions to engage in risky behaviors such as underage drinking. Join MCEC and Responsibility.org as we bring together experts to discuss how talking with your kids about alcohol early and often is the best way to keep them safe. 

Thank you to the Fort Lee Area Spouses Club for their support of this podcast.

 https://www.fortleeareaspousesclub.com/

Show Notes:

• Understanding Youth Substance Use: For Military Parents and Caregivers
  https://www.nctsn.org/resources/understanding-youth-substance-use-for-military-parents-and-caregivers
  
• Responsibility.org             https://www.responsibility.org/
• Talking to Tweens About Alcohol: https://asklistenlearn.org/parents/conversations-and-communication/
• Ask,Listen, Learn:                 https://asklistenlearn.org/

Infographic on Ask, Listen, Learn Conversation starters

• English
• Spanish: https://asklistenlearn.org/materials/spanish-language-building-communications-infographic/?lessonplan=Parents
• Advice for Parents from Parents    https://www.responsibility.org/prevent-underage-drinking/talking-to-kids-about-alcohol

Bio:

 Tim Farrell, MCEC’s Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (COO), is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel who served for more than 23 years. Before joining MCEC, Tim served as the CEO of the National Association of Veteran-Serving Organizations (NAVSO), and as COO and interim President & CEO of Operation Homefront.

Having balanced his military service and raising his children for many years, Tim has a personal understanding of the difficulties military families face during periods of transition. He is a strong believer in using this experience to serve his community through his work on the World Affairs Council of San Antonio’s Board of Trustees and the City of San Antonio’s Veterans Affairs Commission, as well as his selection as the inaugural board chair of Students of Service (SOS) - San Antonio.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Rutgers University (where he also played college football), a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and an executive certificate in Transformational Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife Gina live in San Antonio with their two sons, Aidan and Keagan.

Chris R. Swonger

Chris serves as the President & CEO of both the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org) and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Mr. Swonger has extensive experience guiding corporations to lead in business while playing a positive role in communities through proactive engagement. With over 25 years of experience in the public and private sector, Mr. Swonger brings extensive experience breaking down the traditional barriers that exist between corporations, non-government organizations and activist groups by facilitating consensus-based outcomes and knowledge leading industry in corporate social responsibility strategies.

Dr. Katie Friedman

Dr. Friedman is a board-certified pediatrician, writer, spokesperson, and mother. She currently practices pediatric emergency medicine in South Florida. Along with her two sisters, Dr. Friedman is co-founder of ForeverFreckled.com, guiding parents through obstacles of childhood safety, illness prevention, and pediatric medicine. She also serves as a medical correspondent for Lifetime’s Access Health and The Balancing Act.