Jerry Moe Explained

Jerry Moe is a therapist,[1] author, trainer, and public speaker. He is a leader on issues for children living in families impacted by addiction and an advocate that recovery from addiction should include all family members.[2]

Early life

Jerry Moe grew up in San Francisco, the youngest of three children in a family that had struggled with addiction for many generations. At 14 he was starting to get into trouble when a teacher intervened and suggested he attend a program for teens affected by a loved one's drinking, Alateen. For the first time, Moe found himself surrounded by other kids his age going through the same experiences, feeling the same guilt, sadness, and confusion.  Eventually, Moe's mother began attending Al-Anon and shortly after, Moe's father obtained sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous. He lived the last 38 years of his life sober. This experience exemplified for Moe the importance of recovery for the whole family.[3]

Career

Moe began his career in education and realized that young children ages 7 to 12 years old were left out of the recovery process altogether – often being the first to be affected but the last to receive help and support.[4] From his firsthand experience of a childhood and adolescence marred by alcoholism came a deep understanding of why children in that age group might need a helping hand to cope and to avoid alcoholism – or drug dependency – themselves.[5] Moe began developing a psycho-educational program for young children impacted by addiction and found support for the program at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, CA, where the new program was successfully piloted for a 6-month period.[6] [7]  

Moe served as National Director of Children’s Programs at the Betty Ford Center.

Professional highlights

In addition to his work at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Moe is one of the foremost experts on counseling for young children in families affected by addiction.[8] [9] [10] He has written dozens of books and articles that are used by families and other professionals throughout the world. Moe has spoken in all 50 states and trained or presented in 24 countries.[11] He has also spoken at the White House and on Capitol Hill, and has been interviewed frequently by local, state and national media.

Moe's work helping young children in families facing addiction has been featured on Sesame Street.[12]

Since 2019, Moe has been a significant contributor to ‘Sesame Street in Communities’[13] [14] and its initiative on parental addiction.[15] [16] [17]

Moe lives with his family in Palm Desert, CA. He is a cancer survivor, father to three children and grandfather of four.

Awards

Books and articles

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kennedy . Mark . 'Sesame Street' tackles parental addiction crisis in a way kids can understand . 2022-03-31 . USA Today . en-US.
  2. Web site: Jerry Moe: Call for More Research on Parent's Addiction Recovery and Its Effect on Children . 2022-03-31 . Partnership to End Addiction . en-US.
  3. Web site: Barkas . Sherry . Jerry Moe finds the light in a childhood darkened by alcohol . 2022-03-31 . The Desert Sun . en-US.
  4. Web site: 1989-10-30 . Kids and the Recovery : Substance abuse: The children of recovering alcoholics and addicts find life can get harder when their parents kick the habit. Some have nowhere to turn. . 2022-03-31 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
  5. Web site: Gieseke . Winston . Jerry Moe to be honored with Firestone Award for his work with children . 2022-03-31 . The Desert Sun . en-US.
  6. Web site: Gross . Joan . 1999-02-26 . Addicts' Kids Find Safety at Children's Place . 2022-03-31 . SFGATE . en-US.
  7. Web site: Prevention Partnership International History . 2022-03-31 . Celebrating Families . en.
  8. Web site: Jerry Moe Biography Booking Info for Speaking Engagements . 2022-03-31 . www.allamericanspeakers.com.
  9. Web site: World-renowned Hazelden Betty Ford children's counselor Jerry Moe to retire after 43 years of helping kids in families affected by addiction . 2022-03-31 . www.hazeldenbettyford.org . en.
  10. Web site: Jerry Moe - Public Speaking & Appearances - Speakerpedia, Discover & Follow a World of Compelling Voices . 2022-03-31 . speakerpedia.com.
  11. Web site: StackPath . 2022-03-31 . www.wholehearted.org.
  12. Web site: November 1, 2019 . Atlanta team partners with Sesame Street to support kids of parents fighting addiction . 2022-03-31 . 11Alive.com . en-US.
  13. Web site: Guest Post: Supporting Children . 2022-03-31 . Sesame Street in Communities . 9 October 2019 . en-US.
  14. Web site: Sesame Workshop Launches Initiative to Support Children Affected by Parental Addiction Sesame Workshop . 2022-03-31 . www.sesameworkshop.org. 9 October 2019 .
  15. Web site: Nick News With Linda Ellerbee: Under The Influence: Kids Of Alcoholics . 2022-03-31 . Television Academy . en.
  16. Web site: 2019-12-01 . Addiction takes up residence on Sesame Street . 2022-03-31 . Daily Democrat . en-US.
  17. Web site: 2019-11-29 . Rehab Riviera: Addiction takes up residence on Sesame Street . 2022-03-31 . Daily News . en-US.
  18. Arria . Amelia M. . Mericle . Amy A. . Rallo . Deanna . Moe . Jerry . White . William L. . Winters . Ken C. . O'Connor . Garrett . January 2013 . Integration of Parenting Skills Education and Interventions in Addiction Treatment . Journal of Addiction Medicine . en . 7 . 1 . 1–7 . 10.1097/ADM.0b013e318270f7b0 . 1932-0620 . 3562421 . 23079483.