Resources for Parents

Those of us at UM-Dearborn who work with students know how valuable a resource and support parents and other caregivers are to college students. We find that the students whose parents are actively aware and maintain open communication lines with their sons and daughters, are the ones who are the most likely to succeed academically, make wise and appropriate choices, and refrain from engaging in high-risk behaviors such as alcohol abuse.

Listed below are some links to websites that you might find helpful and informative:

• (C&DS) Counseling & Disability Services:
  The University of Michigan-Dearborn Counseling & Disability Services site. A resource for students, parents, faculty & staff about personal counseling and other support services available to all UM-Dearborn students.
• College Parents of America:
  “What is College Parents of America? College Parents of America (CPA) is the only national membership association dedicated to helping parents prepare and put their children through college easily, economically and safely. Today, college parents represent an estimated 12 million households. An additional 24 million households are currently saving and otherwise preparing children for college. CPA is a resource, an advisor and an advocate working on behalf of these millions of families.”
• Alcohol, Other Drugs, and College: A Parent’s Guide:
• PFLAG (Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbians and Gays): An excellent site offering good general information about issues facing GLBT individuals and how their loved ones may assist and advocate for them.
• Parents and Loved Ones of Sexual Abuse and Rape Survivors:
  A good site from the friends and family of people who have been sexually abused. Gives tips on how you can help them through. Also provides some insight from survivors.
• The Parent Connection:
  Information for parents on alcohol and other drug prevention.
• National Resource Center for First-Year Experience and Students in Transition:
  Gives lots of (FYE) First-Year Experience resource information.
• (NIDA) Marijuana Facts Parents Need to Know:
  Information from the National Institute on Drug Abuse about marijuana specifically for parents.

How can the Counseling Center help parents?

We are available for consultation to parents by phone, by appointment or by email. We invite parents to call if they have any questions about how their son or daughter may obtain services at the Counseling Center. Detailed information about the Counseling Center Services may be found on the Counseling & Disability Services web page at www.umd.umich.edu/support. We are also available for questions about how parents may assist theirs sons and daughters who may be struggling with a specific problem or if they are in need of specific services. As well, we can help parents secure referrals to services outside of the college for their sons and daughters.

We are not able to talk with parents in any way about their son’s or daughter’s participation in counseling without the student’s written consent for release of information. Confidentiality is a very information part of the counseling relationship we establish with students. We adhere to the guidelines re: confidentially in therapeutic services as mandated by the Michigan Laws, as well as those established by our certification and licensing boards.

David Schroat, Ph.D.
Director, Counseling & Disability Services
Licensed Psychologist and HSP-P
2157 University Center
dschroat@umd.umich.edu
(313) 593-5430