Answers in Sight is proud to present our first offering for wide scale use:  The I Want To Know program ©.

The I Want To Know program started with an idea – an idea that simple yet comprehensive solutions can be found to challenge self-destructive behavior patterns in families and communities.

Our belief is that to promote changes in our children’s behaviors, we must first address the culture of silence that prevents us from sharing what we know with a parent about his/her child’s destructive behavior – silence that can ultimately lead to tragic results.   We believe this is our first and most important challenge. 

Our children are being exposed, at younger ages then ever, to alcohol, drugs, gang involvement, and sexual exploitation. They are experimenting with or are participating in destructive behaviors such as bulimia, choking games, and “cutting.”  Some, are expressing themselves by planning to harm others.  Parents often hear about children other then their own who are engaging in these behaviors, but when it is their own child, they are often the last to know.

I Want to Know © is a strictly voluntary program which addresses these self destructive behaviors in children by facilitating a way for parents to communicate and work together to help and protect the children in their community.  The program empowers parents to talk with each other and share information that can save a child from behaviors that negatively and, sometimes tragically, affect their physical and mental well being.

At the heart of the I Want to Know program is the creation of a directory of parents within a school or other child-serving organization (Boy Scouts, church, etc.) who are letting it be known that they want to be notified if another adult hears that their child may be engaging in any harmful behavior.

The I Want to Know program has addressed all the barriers that make this kind of dialogue uncomfortable. The directory provides the permission. The Training guide provides the tools for parents to make, and to receive, this type of call, opening the door to intervening in a child’s life before significant harm is done.

Finally, the program adds an additional way to communicate commitment to safe behavior– a party pledge from parents that they will not supply, or knowingly allow, alcohol or drugs in their home, and that they will provide adequate supervision during parties or organized events for children in their home.

Answers in Sight is a company that provides consultation, training and programs to assist  children, youth, and families.

Strength in Awareness/

Wisdom in Action

Official I Want to Know Sites:

Hereford High School - Hereford, MD

7th District Elementary - Parkton, MD

Shoshana S. Cardin School -Baltimore, MD

Hereford Middle School - Monkton, MD