NACoA WEBINAR: Celebrating Families! 0-3:

Being a Successful “Guide on the Side” for Young Families 

May 2^nd at 1:30 – 2:30 pm, ET

Presenter: Melissa Santos, BSW, Community Solutions Sr Director of Strategy & Community Development

Supporting parents/caregivers to develop healthy attachment and demonstrate positive parenting skills is important for parents in recovery. Group leaders implementing this program focus on the relationship of parents and children and are a “Guide on the Side” as they coach or guide them as they nurture confidence and capability during sessions. This FREE webinar will review important basics and enrich what is provided in group leader trainings to help group leaders find greater success when working with young families. 

Celebrating Families! is NACoA’s evidence-based, trauma-informed, skill-building program focused on children’s future physical and behavioral health, including substance use disorders and mental health challenges. The program supports families dealing with or at high risk for multiple problems: substance use disorders; multi-generational trauma; physical and mental health challenges; cognitive deficits due to trauma, genetics, or in-utero exposure; and child abuse/neglect and family violence. It addresses these needs through building healthy living skills, educating families, utilizing a peer support format. 

Melissa Santos is a passionate advocate for breaking the stigmas surrounding trauma, mental health, addiction, and domestic violence. With over 25 years in the behavioral health field, Melissa has spent the last decade supporting organizations and foundations in strategic planning, leadership, and operational development. As the CEO and Principal Consultant at M Santos Coaching and Consulting she has worked with teams to develop authentic collaboration and a shared vision that enhances operational efficiencies and strengthens organizational culture.

Melissa serves as the Sr. Director of Strategy & Community Development at Community Solutions, a mid-sized behavioral health organization in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties in CA. In this role, she leads the CS Learning Training Institute, the organization’s corporate culture initiatives, and strategic plan portfolio. She is a program developer and national trainer of Celebrating Families!, an evidence-based curriculum for families impacted by trauma and substance use disorders. Melissa facilitates training, conference workshops, and webinars on trauma-informed care, mindfulness, recovery, and organizational leadership throughout the country. Additionally, she hosts a podcast, Pathways to Resilience.