Why it matters:

Families are the foundation on which strong neighborhoods and communities are built. The home is a child's first classroom and parents are the earliest teachers. Increased parenting, problem resolution and coping skills helps to ensure that the family home is a safe and supportive learning environment.

United Way's response:

United Way invests in parenting programs across metropolitan Atlanta. These programs not only offer education to increase parenting skills, but also provide support to parents and grandparents who may feel overburdened by the many responsibilities of parenting. Further help to families is provided through programs that support those coping with challenges and those in the midst of resolving conflict. Programs also provide support to individuals and families facing the challenges of domestic violence, depression, mental illness, substance abuse and child abuse.

2004-05 investments :	$ 4,648,483
Parenting skills and knowledge	$1,010,433
Problem resolution and coping skills	$3,638,050

Some results:

	17,629 individuals and families are resolving experiences of abuse and coping with life challenges
	16,227 parents are increasing their parenting skills and knowledge

Did you know.

The more teen-agers feel loved by their parents and comfortable in their schools, the less likely they are to have early sex, smoke, abuse alcohol or drugs, or commit violence or suicide. (University of Minnesota, 1995)

Kids who learn from their parents or caregivers about the risks of drugs are 36 percent less likely to smoke marijuana than kids who don't, 50 percent less likely to use inhalants, 56 percent less likely to use cocaine and 65 percent less likely to use LSD. (Office of National Drug Control Policy)

Approximately 18.8 million American adults, or 9.5 percent ages 18 and over, suffer from a depressive illness (major depression, bipolar disorder or dysthymia) each year. (National Institute of Mental Health)

There are more than 16,000 cases of domestic violence per year in DeKalb County alone claiming the lives of 17 women in 2001 and 13 in 2002. (The Story, 2003)