RIDGWAY: Dickinson Center to Offer Free Virtual Parenting Workshop for Elk County Families with Teens

Elk County families raising teens will have a new, no-cost option for support beginning this month.

Dickinson Center Inc., a nonprofit behavioral health and family services provider, is enrolling parents and guardians for a free, six-week virtual “Parents With Teens” workshop geared toward families with youth ages 10 to 16. The weekly series is scheduled to begin Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and is being offered through Dickinson Center’s Children’s Program.

Organizers describe the workshop as a practical, parent-focused program designed to help caregivers connect with other families, build skills, and gain confidence while navigating the teen years. Similar teen-focused parenting workshops offered by Dickinson Center in Elk County emphasize strategies for managing teen behavior and reducing the sense of isolation many parents feel during adolescence.

The sessions will be held virtually, making it easier for families across the region to participate without travel—an important consideration in rural communities where schedules, distance, and transportation can be barriers. Group workshops are typically offered online or in person depending on the program and community need.

Families interested in enrolling can call or text 814-335-9518 to register.

Dickinson Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization that has served rural Pennsylvania for decades, providing a range of services that include behavioral health care, intellectual disability services, and children’s prevention and family support programming.

In addition to this workshop, Dickinson Center also offers structured parenting education programs such as Triple P (Positive Parenting Program), a skills-based approach focused on encouraging positive behavior, addressing challenges constructively, and helping parents feel more confident and supported.

While a detailed syllabus for the January 14 workshop has not been publicly released, program descriptions indicate the series is designed to connect parents and guardians with other families raising teens, share strategies to improve communication and manage challenging behavior, and strengthen consistency and confidence at home.

The workshop is free for eligible Elk County families and is presented as a proactive, prevention-oriented resource, particularly timely for parents navigating the middle school and early high school years.

Registration remains open, and families are encouraged to enroll by calling or texting 814-335-9518.