• October 5, 2026

    Every teen makes mistakes. Most are small. Some happen at school, in front of teachers and classmates, and come with real consequences.

    For Jonas, that moment came when he was caught drinking alcohol on campus.

    It would be easy to see that as the whole story: a teen who made a bad choice. But the drinking wasn't where Jonas' story started. Like many teens, he had been dealing with peer pressure and stress at home, and it had started showing up in his schoolwork and in his relationships with his family.

    Instead of a suspension, Jonas was referred to one of California Youth Services' Alternative to Suspension programs. That's where he met CYS, and where his story begins to change.

    Over the next several weeks, we'll share what happened next: the support he received, the work he and his family put in, and what it took to start rebuilding trust. Along the way, we'll also share practical resources for parents, because Jonas' story is one many families will recognize.

    One mistake does not have to define a teen's future. Thank you for following Jonas' journey with us.

    Next week: What should you do when your teen gets in trouble with alcohol or drugs?

  • October 12, 2026

    When the school called, Jonas’ mom went in, sat through the meeting, signed what she needed to sign, and walked him out to the car.

    For her, the hardest part wasn’t the phone call. It was the drive home.

    She could have brought up his grades, or the friends she had never liked, or how disappointed she was. She didn’t. She drove for a while, and then she said, “I’m not mad. I need to know what’s going on.”

    Jonas sat in silence.

    A lot of parents will find themselves in that car at some point. Here are five things that can help when your teen gets in trouble with alcohol or drugs:

    1. Listen before you lecture. The first conversation sets the tone for every one after it.

    2. Ask what happened, not just what they did. The behavior is usually the symptom, not the story.

    3. Look for what’s underneath. Peer pressure, stress at home, anxiety and grief can all show up this way.

    4. Address it early. Small problems are easier to solve than the ones that have had a year to grow.

    5. Know when to ask for help. You don’t have to figure this out alone, and asking isn’t failing.

    Jonas and his family have a lot of work ahead of them. These are the same conversations California Youth Services has with families every week.

    Thank you for following Jonas’ journey with us.

    Next week: One program is rarely enough.