Parent Partners – Intake Process

When a new parent reaches out:

  • Laura will continue to send the sample intake letter (on the bottom of this page). She will copy you in by way of introduction, provide your cell number, and invite them to text you.
  • Please text, call, or email them as soon as you’re able to, as they are in crisis. If you leave two messages (email or text or phone call) with no return, it’s okay to invite them to reach out to you should they want to talk.
  • Listen to them vent and share their story. Empathize with them and relate your situation to theirs as relevant but let them do most of the talking. Tell them up front how long you can talk.
  • Friend them on Facebook and invite them to the POCCIP group (or at least make sure they can find it). Remind them to agree to the group rules when submitting. https://www.facebook.com/groups/POCCIP
  • Remind them of our parent resource page I linked to in the email. https://JohnnysAmbassadors.org/parents
  • Connect them to their state coordinator (if one exists in that state). https://JohnnysAmbassadors.org/coordinators
  • Point them to the treatment page if appropriate. https://JohnnysAmbassadors.org/treatment
  • Encourage them make their first Facebook group post to introduce themselves to the group (once I’ve accepted their membership).
  • Otherwise come alongside them as a peer and loving mentor. Help them feel welcome and not so overwhelmed. Give them HOPE there is help here. Stay in touch if desired. They will always remember you!

Parent Partners:

  1. Sarah Hudock [email protected], 412-260-1052, PA
  2. Dave Hudock, [email protected], (412)720-8058, PA
  3. Diane Steiert Keely, [email protected], 303-946-5819, CO
  4. Stacy Gill, [email protected], 260-414-2524, IN
  5. Renee Mezh [email protected], 516-603-9187, NY
  6. Meg Carey, [email protected], 203-722-6374, CT
  7. Anne Glassschroeder Annone, [email protected], (302)588-8888, DE
  8. Pamela Less, [email protected], 720-936-6449, CO
  9. Laura Balboni Craciun, [email protected], 617-291-3996, MA
  10. Renee Johnson, [email protected], 312-285-3077, IL
  11. Jennifer Machon (Kelchner), [email protected], 610-291-6527, PA
  12. Steve Horning, [email protected], 612-237-5858, MN
  13. Diane Herron, [email protected], 215-431-3300, PA
  14. Sally Schindel [email protected], 602-565-5860, AZ
  15. Kathleen Lacey Tirakian [email protected], 630-862-4994, IL
  16. Amy Wadsworth, [email protected], 860-416-3972, FL & CT
  17. Beth Lasker Arcotta, [email protected], 512-797-8902, TX
  18. Tina Barnfield, [email protected], 407.227.3719, FL
  19. Lizzie Powers [email protected], 662-392-0121, MS
  20. Laurie Gunderson [email protected], 314-526-9760, NE
  21. John Gaffney [email protected], 916-936-9198, CA
  22. Sarah Price [email protected], 301-432-5896, MD
  23. Michelle Norris-Gillie, [email protected], 330-402-0673, OH
  24. Maria Cornish, [email protected], 717-659-1332, PA
  25. Kim Kelly, [email protected], 315-725-2200, NY
  26. MaLeesa Meyers, [email protected], 470-290-1372, AZ, ID, IL

Sample intake letter

Thank you for reaching out, and I’m glad you found us. I’m Laura Stack, the Founder of Johnny’s Ambassadors Youth THC Prevention. From me to you, I am so sorry this is happening to your child, too. I know how traumatic and distressing it is, and that’s why we are here for you.

I’m connecting you with one of our parent mentors, (name and phone), who has had a child in Cannabis-Induced Psychosis as well. Your mentor will reach out as soon as possible, but feel free to text her to connect in the event this email isn’t received immediately.

Please see our parent support page for resources, this page for addiction and psychosis treatment centers, and our website for our support group. I will also add you to our mailing list and our monthly support group email list. If there is a state coordinator for your area, you will find that person on our website to reach out and introduce yourself.

If you are on Facebook, also join our 1500+ Parents of Children with Cannabis-Induced Psychosis (POCCIP) private Facebook group. Your mentor can friend you on Facebook and invite you to the group to make sure you find it. If you post in the FB group, they will be able to share advice and recommendations. Our upcoming monthly support meeting is posted in the “Featured” tab.

We also have an active prevention community online with a private POCCIP community if you’re interested in reading daily bulletin board posts. And when you’re ready to help us prevent youth marijuana use in others, please join our prevention group on Facebook.

We have many educational resources to explore, so you can understand what is happening to your child. I would also recommend you get a copy of my book and our Johnny’s Ambassadors parent book, so you can understand all the research connecting marijuana addiction and mental health issues.

Sending you love and comfort,

Laura

Laura Stack, Founder & CEO
www.JohnnysAmbassadors.org
[email protected]

Here is a sample response template written and shared by Laurie Gunderson, which you are free to use/adapt:

Hi (name),

I’m so sorry that you’re in the position of needing to find help. But I’m happy to help! You are not alone. I’m a parent who understands what you’re going through, and I’m here for you.  

Please feel free to give me a call at (phone), or email or text, whatever works for you! I’ll be keeping an eye on my email and texts all day, and I’m free to talk (date) from (time and time zone). Hugs to you!