Anecia Beaman thought she could handle her son’s “not-good decisions” all on her own.
The 12-year-old was “mouthing off, stealing things, name-calling and becoming physical with his siblings,” Beaman recalled. “And it was escalating.”
Beaman, a 31-year-old Stafford resident, knew that she could contact Juvenile Services anytime. “But I just wanted to handle it myself. Actually, I was sweeping the problem under the rug.”
Then, one day Casey Rowland at Juvenile Services called Beaman. As Family Engagement advocate and leader of Parent Project classes, Rowland was following up with Beaman who had taken the classes previously.
“Casey asked if I was doing okay and I said, well, no,” Beaman said. “She had mentioned to the class that we could reach out no matter what. But I just hadn’t done that.”
Since the situation at home had “gotten to the point that I had no control, I had to involve the cops,” Beaman related. “That was the hardest call I ever had to make.
“Casey had said she would always be here if you have to make that call. And she was. She was with me every step of the way.”
Beaman, who recently finished her second series of Parent Project sessions, remembered her earlier experiences.
At the beginning of the first session, she thought it would be another “boring” parenting class. “But I quickly learned this is kind of cool. They are not judgmental and you can be yourself. Casey and I clicked right off the bat.
“And now I know that the doors are never closed. If six months from now I need a refresher course, I will go to Parent Project again.”
More background
Unfortunately, the Beaman’s son had to be temporarily removed from the home. He is one of Beaman’s 10 children, ages 2 through 12.
Rowland noted that “I tell all my parents that it sometimes gets harder before it gets easier. Parent Project may be the connection needed to make the breakthrough for the support to gain success. We have to start somewhere and Parent Project is a good beginning.
“The classes are not the answer to every problem,” she continued. “But it is often a valuable starting point when a family is in turmoil.”
In addition to parenting advice, Beaman was introduced to Rise Up when Amy Ferguson, program coordinator, spoke to a recent class; Ferguson is a regular presenter during Parent Project.
Rise Up is a task force under the umbrella of the Central Kansas Partnership. One of its goals is to help people with Substance-Use Disorder (SUD) find the path to recovery.
Beaman is interested in becoming involved in Rise Up because she has been in recovery for almost nine years. “I am not sure what the possibilities are,” Beaman said. “But I would like to become an SUD counselor in the future.”
Next Class
Parent Project entails eight consecutive Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Juvenile Services office, 1800 12th in Great Bend. Zoom arrangements may be made for out-of-towners.
Registration is preferred but walk-ins are welcome at the first meeting, which is Tuesday, Jan. 21.
There is no cost and dinner is provided.
“We encourage parents and guardians to consider these classes,” Rowland said. “But I tell participants right up front that if you can’t stand brutal honesty this might not be the class for you.
“However, we will work with anyone who is willing to listen, while learning from other parents. We want to build a rapport with you and work to the benefit of your whole family. Parent Project is not a one-and-done deal; you have my attention anytime you need it. It really does take a village.”
20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake & Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.
