Many prevention and early intervention programs exist today to help youngsters develop these sorts of skills. In addition, many alcohol treatment centers offer children's programs, and church youth and community groups regularly provide children with lessons and skills they can draw on as they face life's challenges. Anyone who can show they care and any program that brings youngsters together in constructive ways can make a difference. The most important thing, say the experts, is for children of alcoholics to develop healthy relationships with others. As a result, simply caring about a child from an alcoholic family is often all that it takes to start.
Studies suggest an increased prevalence of alcoholism among parents who abuse their children.
Children of alcoholics tend to score lower on tests that measure cognitive and verbal skills. They are also more likely to be truant, drop out of school, repeat grades or be referred to a school counselor or psychologist. In this section, we offer lots of ideas for programming, community outreach and public service activities broadcasters can undertake to focus their communities' attention on helping children of alcoholics. In news reports and other programming, try to show the extent of the problem. To get a sense of how many children are living with alcoholic parents in your area, talk to teachers, social workers, school guidance counselors, doctors and others about how often they encounter children from alcoholic homes.