Shown left to right: Dr. Kristin Hoffman, Michelle Kapreilian, Dr. Ross Greene

On September 26th, more than 100 therapists, educators and child-care professionals came out for Forty Carrots Family Center’s 17th Annual morning Speaker Event, held at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.  The speaker was renowned child psychologist Dr. Ross W. Greene, who spoke later that same day to an audience of parents and caregivers at the Riverview High School Performing Arts Center.

The workshop was underwritten by John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital so that professionals could attend and earn CEU’s at no charge to them.  The morning was a three-hour symposium on Greene’s Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) method which, Ross said, “engages the child as a problem-solving partner, involving them in solving problems that are going to affect their whole life.” Response to the presentation was overwhelmingly positive. 

Guests, such as Kathryn Shea, President and CEO of The Florida Center, noted that “Dr. Greene is so progressive in his thinking, especially when he reminds us that focusing only on the behavior does not solve the problem behind the behavior. Problems that we used to see developing in middle school and high school, we are now seeing in kindergarten and first grade.”

Vidisha Patel, a licensed mental health counselor who today works at New College, called the presentation “fabulous,” adding, “These principles are at the heart of what I have always tried to apply, both with my own children and with my patients.” 

Kellie Carroll, who teaches cosmetology at SCTI, noted that “Every child comes to school with problems,” adding that, “It’s all about how we, as teachers, deal with those problems.” She added that she would love to see Greene’s method become a part of new educator training in our community.

Forty Carrots Family Center strengthens families by helping them find collaborative solutions to their problems through our Parenting Education, Mental Health, and Preschool Programs.

Shown left to right: Dr. Kristin Hoffman, Michelle Kapreilian, Dr. Ross Greene

Forty Carrots Family Center