ALABASTER – Bradford Health Services is hosting an event that will help local parents, teachers and counselors tackle various issues that teenagers face.

Parent University is set to take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 8 at the former Thompson High School building, located at 100 Warrior Drive in Alabaster.

Rachel Lawley, with Bradford Health Services, said Parent University will primarily focus on drug and alcohol abuse, but will also cover adolescent mental health and parental involvement.

“We want to give parents information that they can take home and use with their families,” Lawley said.

Before the event starts, Lawley said vendors and resources will be onsite in the library to give parents more information.

“Every parent who attends will take home a folder full of resources,” Lawley said.

Parent University will begin with a presentation by Bradford Health Services National Coordinator of Adolescent and Emerging Adult Marketing Angela Camp.

“She is going to go over the characteristics of strong families and resilience in families,” Lawley said.

Compact2020 Executive Director and Shelby County Chief Assistant District Attorney Alan Miller will also speak to parents about the importance of monitoring their child’s online activity and cell phone interactions.

“During Alan’s presentation, we’ll walk parents through the steps for setting up parental controls on their child’s iPhone or Android,” Lawley said.

Shelby County local Mike Bailey will also give his testimony from a parent’s perspective.

“Mr. Bailey has a very knowledgeable firsthand experience with adolescents and drug abuse,” Lawley said.

Lawley said the event is free and all adults in Shelby County are invited. Parent University is a joint effort between Bradford Health Services, Compact2020, the Shelby County Juvenile Court and the Shelby County Drug Free Coalition. The event will also offer free contact hours to counselors, nurses and social workers.

While Parent University is only open to adults, Lawley said Bradford Health Services is considering hosting similar events for teenagers in the future. For parents who are unable to make the event in person, Lawley said Parent University will be recorded and posted to the Compact 2020 Facebook page.

For more information about Parent University, contact Lawley at Rellison@bradfordhealth.net or call 790-9177.