Letters of Recommendation

From: Sonya J. Bufe - Assistand Driector of DACCO, Inc.

From: Brian K Flemming - Executive Director of LODAC

Sonya J. Bufe
Assistant Director - DACCO, Inc.
Adolescent Outpatient Program
7402 N. 56th Street, Suite 200
Tampa, Florida 33617
(813) 984-1818 ext. 2297

DACCO’s Adolescent Outpatient Program is offered in Tampa, Florida. Services include individual, group and family counseling with random urine drug screening. Family support and understanding are essential for success in recovery for young people. A specialized curriculum called C.A.R.T. (Creating a Responsible Thinker) is used in the process. This curriculum works jointly with the parent or guardian to educate and identify specific challenges that exist in the family and works to develop behavioral or cognitive changes within the family. CART is a curriculum designed for teens and their parents to help teens develop proactive, responsible thinking skills for creating healthy and dynamic lives.

DACCO has been overwhelmingly satisfied with the results of this program to effectively engage families in the adolescent’s growth process. The counselors enjoy the program for many reasons including the ease of having a manual, which provides them the materials and activities to work with this population. Included are a few responses from the satisfaction surveys the parents fill out at the end of the program.

One of the main things that I learned was that my child needs to be responsible for his actions. I will apply what I have learned to my younger child as well as to my older child. The Life Puzzle makes sense to me. It is an ongoing project for all of us. It is good to apply to myself, my child, others in my family, others in my life. I hope my child will use this information throughout his life.

I highly encourage you to consider CART for your agency.

Respectfully,

Sonya Bufe



Dear Collaborative Participants,

Creating a Responsible Thinker (CART) is a program that every agency that works with children can and should use. The information contained in each lesson is relevant, current, and easily applied by any or all family members. The value of having a parent(s) attending class concurrently with the child is immeasurable. Children learn the importance of making responsible decisions and parents gain the skills to help them do so. Many parents acknowledge that they gain more insight into their parenting skills, or lack thereof, in this class than they have their whole adult lives.

The Life Puzzle Model is a medium that time and again opens a flood gate of emotions for the adults and gives them the ability to see clearly into the inner workings of their own lives. This often leads to a sense of empowerment and a desire to continue improving their lives and the lives of their children. Common statements that are heard nearly every class include variations of ‘I wish someone would have told me this when I was young’ or ‘I wish I would have heard this when my child was younger’. Also, because the teens and parents receive the same information in their respective classes, communication lines are automatically open and topics are familiar to both groups.

Likewise, the ease of implementation by staff members makes the program particularly valuable to our organization. The initial training was completed in a timely manner and each of us found ways to apply CART in our own lives. The number of lessons ensures parents and teens complete the whole program and the flexible schedule design is helpful for working parents and staff alike.

In short, I ardently recommend CART to any organization/group that works with children in hope that one day every child and parent will have the information to help them continue work on their personal life puzzle. If I can be of assistance please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,


Brian K. Flemming
Executive Director, LODAC
229-333-5175