Nearly 300 educators from all Clark County Schools joined together for a Teachers’ Institute on January 3, 2024 to hear from Jerry Moe.
Jerry was the National Director of Children’s Programs at the Betty Ford Center, a part of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, in Rancho Mirage, California with over 40 years experience as a counselor. An Advisory Board Member of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA), he is an author, lecturer, and trainer on issues for children and families hurt by addiction. In 2013, he received the Mona Mansell Award and the Father Joseph C. Martin Award. His latest book is ‘Through a Child’s Eyes: Understanding Addiction and Recovery.’ Moe received the 2005 America Honors Recovery Award from the Johnson Institute, the 2000 Ackerman/Black Award from NACoA for “significantly improving the lives of children of alcoholics in the United States and around the world.”
Moe’s work has been featured on the Today Show, People Are Talking, NBC’s Newsmagazine Cover to Cover, Good Morning, Texas, Nickelodeon News, Time, Parents, McCalls, YM, Parenting, Seventeen, and U.S. News and World Report magazines, as well as the Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today. He was featured on the PBS documentary Lost Childhood: Growing Up in an Alcoholic Family. He was also recently featured in the Nick News special, “Under the Influence: Kids of Alcoholics, which won the Emmy Award in September 2011.
Addiction is one of the biggest dilemmas of the 21st century. In his latest book, Moe has assembled a rich and wide-reaching collection of poignant stories and humorous anecdotes about children and teens who are navigating their way through the healing process.
Research suggests that 1:4 youth are growing up in families hurt by addiction. This large group workshop explored the many challenges these children face. Jerry gave educators specific strategies to strengthen and deepen youth resilience. He explored classroom tools, important messages, and proven resources to help children grow, develop, and thrive in the school setting.
Designed specifically for counselors/social workers/staff who work in small groups with students who have been hurt by family addiction, Jerry provided a second session that offered effective activities and tools to use with children growing up in families hurt by addiction. He focused on proven techniques to use in both individual and group settings, emphasized self-care strategies, and explored ways to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.
Martinsville would like to thank Jerry Moe, Liesl Wingert Program Coordinator – Eastern Region Southern Illinois University School of Medicine/Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development, and ROE 11 for partnering with Martinsville to bring Jerry to the educators of Clark County.