FATHER APPRECIATES PROJECT'S RESULTS FOR HIS SON

Charles Copen is open about his 12-year-old son's behavior problems, describing the boy as having ~"an awful bad temper."

It was his son's temper that landed the child in special behavior-disorder classes last year.

He didn't attend full days of school, and his grades were far below the scale. Frequent, unexplained outbursts marred most days.

Thanks to the Caring Community Project based in May Greene Elementary School, Copen's son now spends less time in special classes and more time being an average kid.

He joined the program last year, and CCP workers visited Copen and his shut-in wife at home to explain how the project could help.

The meetings continued for months, with discussion about the boy's environment.

Copen visited May Greene often to check on his son's progress.

Things improved at home.

When CCP workers decided the Copens needed a telephone, one was installed.

They helped move the family from a dingy basement apartment to a larger brick home.

The young boy visited doctors to determine what was causing his angry outbursts.

Slowly, his behavior improved.

Thanks to counseling and some medication, the outbursts aren't so common.

"When I first met Michael Harris (a case worker), I was going down to the school every day to get my son settled down," Copen said. ~

"You wouldn't believe what the Caring Communities people can do with kids. They go way beyond what average people would do."

Now in sixth grade, Copen's youngest carries a C average. His father works closely with the school to be sure things are going well.

"If the Caring Communities people tell me to do something for my son, I get right up and do it," Copen said. "This is one of the best programs ever brought to Cape. If there is anything I can do or say to get it in more schools, I'll do it."