Clearinghouse: Children of Alcoholics
Clearinghouse Homepage
Title: Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization, Inc. (ACA WSO)
URL (Internet "address"): http://www.adultchildren.org/
Sponsor: This website is maintained by a nonprofit public benefit corporation which states that they are not working for the benefit of any one person, but rather for all of those who have been affected by a family with alcohol addiction. Their sole purpose is to provide support for anyone who needs it through their agency's "twelve step" program.
Author/credentials: The ACA was founded by a man named Tony A., but the site was produced by the ACA WSO.
Date posted: The events page has been recently updated on March 15, 2006 and contains listings for events through November 2006.
Description of Site: The ACA WSO website may be very helpful to an adult who has been raised in a family with an alcoholic parent, and is seeking help for the emotional problems suffered because of that. Although this page does not include any helpful links to other sites, it does provide listings and searches for actual group meetings of others in the same situation. No major websites link to this page, but a few personal experience sites will direct you to ACA WSO. A person searching this website would find an events calendar of recovery retreats and conferences also. Instead of focusing on facts and statistics, the producers of this page identify the problem that children of alcoholics encounter and supply a "twelve step" program guideline to help with the recovery process. On the left toolbar there is a list of helpful literature containing the problem, solution, and processes required to achieve the ACA's goal of supporting and counseling those who need it. One of the best characteristics of this site is that it does not require fee's, but rather asks for donations from those who are able. So, even if your resources are limited, you may still find the help you are looking for.
Reviewed by: Marissa Kos from Dan Lago's Spring 2006 HDFS 129 class.
Title: Girl Power: You're Not Alone
URL (Internet "address"): http://www.girlpower.gov/girlarea/notalone/index.htm
Sponsor: There is no stated sponsor, but the site indicates that it is affiliated with The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Author/credentials: No author is listed. However, the site has a page of listed credentials and awards. It also includes the icon "Safe Surf rated for all ages."
Date posted: There are no dates listed for updates or postings.
Description of Site: This website has extremely helpful information for young girls dealing with the effects of an alcoholic parent or any other problem facing them. At the specific URL listed above, one could find a question and answer fact page about alcoholic parents, information on coping including Do's and Don'ts, tips on helping friends, fun activities like puzzles and games, and a page of resources including books, websites, and most importantly phone numbers. Many health and safety sites include links to girlpower.gov. Through this page, you can identify groups like alateen for support. Not only does this page provide important information on alcohol, but also on various other aspects of life like health, fitness, technology, self-esteem, and simply interaction with others. There is also advise for parents who's child may be affected. This site provides strong support and information for young girls.
Reviewed by: Marissa Kos from Dan Lago's Spring 2006 HDFS 129 class.
Title: Penn State University Health Services: Alcohol (Adult Children of Alcoholics)
URL (Internet "address"): http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/healthinformation/patientlibrary/health/alcoholchildren.cfm
Sponsor: Penn State University
Author/credentials: No author is listed. This site is posted by the University Health Services.
Date posted: This page was last updated on December 9, 2002.
Description of Site: Although this site has not recently been updated, it provides important information and statistics for adult children of alcoholics. It includes coping strategies, steps to recovery, and available recourses on and off-campus especially for students and faculty. On the University Health Services page, one could find not only emotional tips and support, but also phone numbers and addresses of resources that could help in a more personal manner. This personal capability is important and made possible since it is nearby. Local students can receive care, as well as non-students who can simply receive helpful information about children of alcoholics.
Reviewed by: Marissa Kos from Dan Lago's Spring 2006 HDFS 129 class.
