Parents Corner
Let's face it, life is busy and everyday tasks of being a parent can be overwhelming. Add in the extra requirements imposed when you find your child involved with the justice system, facing academic problems or social failure due to gang involvement or affiliation, and it may feel as if you have lost control, have no support, and possibly don't know what to do. These problems can affect the entire family. The CROSS program is designed to work with the entire family to ensure all family member's needs are met. The program coordinators assist in providing connections with community resources to meet a family's specific needs. Active participation of parents and guardians, and the incorporation of each family's culture, values, and strengths, is critical to participant success.
Recognizing the signs.....
The reason why kids join a gang are varied and complex. Being able to recognize the warning signs of possible gang involvement is critical. Parents should look for any drastic changes in their child's behavior, including:
Using a different style of language.
Associating with a different group of friends
Desiring a great deal of privacy
Acquiring new possessions without parent's knowledge
Dressing in gang affiliated clothing
Obsession with one color of clothing or logo
Claiming gang affiliation
Uses or practices hand signs
Peculiar drawings or language (may appear later as tattoos or brands)
Physical injury when child has no explanation or lies about the cause
Using a different style of language.
Associating with a different group of friends
Desiring a great deal of privacy
Acquiring new possessions without parent's knowledge
Dressing in gang affiliated clothing
Obsession with one color of clothing or logo
Claiming gang affiliation
Uses or practices hand signs
Peculiar drawings or language (may appear later as tattoos or brands)
Physical injury when child has no explanation or lies about the cause
What can I do?
Discovering your child is involved in a gang can come as a shock and when a child joins a gang the entire family is affected. However, there are things you can do and help is available.
Talk calmly with your child.
Ask if he or she is in a gang and why.
Ask questions to determine the level of involvement.
Actively listen in a caring and non-judgmental way.
Recognize that gang membership is not just the child's problem. It is the family's problem as well.
Do not try to tackle the problem by yourself.
There are many agencies and community resources available to help you in removing your child from a gang's influence. Resources to consider contacting are:
Local police gang unit
School resource officer
School Counselor
Social service agencies
Clergy
Counselors
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has created a parents resource guide which contains information on behaviors associated with joining gangs, common gang identifiers, and what parents can do.
Click here to order A Parent's Guide To Gangs
For additional information visit the Ogden Metro Gang Unit website or contact the CROSS Program at 801-334-8990.
Talk calmly with your child.
Ask if he or she is in a gang and why.
Ask questions to determine the level of involvement.
Actively listen in a caring and non-judgmental way.
Recognize that gang membership is not just the child's problem. It is the family's problem as well.
Do not try to tackle the problem by yourself.
There are many agencies and community resources available to help you in removing your child from a gang's influence. Resources to consider contacting are:
Local police gang unit
School resource officer
School Counselor
Social service agencies
Clergy
Counselors
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has created a parents resource guide which contains information on behaviors associated with joining gangs, common gang identifiers, and what parents can do.
Click here to order A Parent's Guide To Gangs
For additional information visit the Ogden Metro Gang Unit website or contact the CROSS Program at 801-334-8990.
Helping youth transition into successful and self-reliant adults
CROSS Program 2471 Lincoln Ave Ogden, Utah 84401-801-334-8990
