EVC supports youth’s education, career goals...3
Crisis Services work with agencies to help youth...3
Family Victories from Youth Villages East Tennessee
TEAM EFFORT YV staff, mother work together to create a home page 4
LEARN AND GROW Mother and daughter relearn making a life together page 5
Volunteers, donors and staff brighten holidays...6
Spring 2011
A message from
Johnson City Morristown Knoxville
Our director
Chattanooga
YOUTH VILLAGES BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cookeville
Clarksville
Nashville Dickson Mike Bruns,
Following through to help ensure success
Paris
Dyersburg Jackson
Children, at some point, are left alone to experience success or
Memphis failure in
their endeavors. As adults, we have all felt the joy of being successful, and the reflection and regrouping and doubt that inevitably occur following failure. But as adults, we are more equipped to cope with both. Children in many cases are not. Many youth entering adulthood need the independence to pursue their interests and achieve their goals, but they also need the support of someone to let them know it’s OK to fail, to try again, to try doing it another way. Youth Villages’ transitional living program is a great example of that support. As teens age out of foster care, they seek the privileges of adulthood. But there are also responsibilities, and many of these youth aren’t aware of their needs as adults: getting an apartment, enrolling in college, getting insurance and utilities turned on — getting a job. Transitional living specialists are that support for youth trying to make it on their own. As a complement, in East Tennessee Youth Villages also has an educational/vocational coordinator who works with youth on furthering their education and their careers. EVC Abbie Currence works with area companies to locate potential employment sources for youth. She helps young people access such community resources as adult high schools, certificate programs, vocational programs, tutoring, job skills, internships, volunteer opportunities and other vocational programs. Young people in our TL program have a source for immediate resources and support in their TL specialist, and they also have a source for long-term support through the educational/vocational coordinator. Your help and support mean these youth have a chance for long-term success. Thank you.
Amanda Tillman Director of East Tennessee 865-560-2550 amanda.tillman@youthvillages.org
2
Chairman Jim Parrish, Vice Chairman Columbia Linden Paul Bower, Treasurer Jimmy Lackie, Secretary Jim Barton Jr. Eric Bolton Joyce Broffitt Kenneth Campbell Lewis Holland Sr. John Hutchins Joanna Jacobson Rev. Robert Earl Jones Bryan Jordan Ken May Mark Medford Johnny Pitts Ray Pohlman Jennifer Queen Ronnie Randall Matthew Tarkenton David Tyler Betsy Walkup George White Patrick Lawler, CEO
CONTACT US Chattanooga 5741 Cornelison Road 6400 Building Chattanooga, TN 37411 phone: 423-954-8890 fax: 423-954-8880 Johnson City 3915 Bristol Hwy #101 Johnson City, TN 37601 phone: 423-283-6500 fax: 423-283-6550 Knoxville 9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite E475 Knoxville, TN 37923 phone: 865-560-2550 fax: 865-560-2580 Morristown 225 West First North Street, Suite 302 Millennium Square Building Morristown, TN 37814 phone: 423-522-2200 fax: 423-522-2180
Program Success
(Z H UH[PVUHS SLHKLY PU [OL ÄLSK VM ILOH]PVYHS OLHS[O @V\[O =PSSHNLZ OHZ TLHZ\YLK outcomes of children and families participating in its programs since 1994.
EAST TENNESSEE PROGRAM SUCCESS
EVC SUPPORTS YOUTH’S EDUCATION, CAREER GOALS Youth aging out of foster care in East Tennessee receive support and assistance to transition to independent living through Youth Villages’ transitional living program. But what about supporting their educational and vocational goals? That’s where an educational/vocational coordinator comes in. “In a variety of ways, the EVC complements the TL program,” said Abbie Currence, Youth Villages East Tennessee educational/vocational coordinator. “The TL specialist can focus on immediate needs of the youth as well as long-term skills, while the EVC can devote time to training for job- and education-specific needs.” The EVC provides more one-on-one time for educa-
The graph above represents where children are one year after being discharged from Youth Villages’ programs, including residential treatment, group homes, foster care and/or intensive in-home services. Youth may receive multiple services while enrolled. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 56 percent.
SCS WORKS WITH FAMILY, AGENCIES TO HELP CHILD AND FAMILY Youth Villages’ Specialized Crisis Services was called by a mother to assess her child after the child told her he heard screaming. This was the seventh assessment for the child’s auditory hallucinations. The SCS counselor evaluated the reports of the hallucinations and provided evidence the child was using the incidents to get what he wanted. The child even acknowledged using reports of hallucinations to get desired outcomes and reported to the counselor that “no one had ever gotten him before” when he was confronted with falsifying his hallucinations. The counselor worked with the mother and gave her specific interventions to use when the youth reported hallucinations or other problem behaviors. The counselor then contacted the child’s therapist and
tion and employment for youth adjusting to independent living. Currence has been an EVC since March 2009. She assists youth in TL by providing such community resources as adult high schools, certificate programs, tutoring, job skills, internships, volunteer opportunities and other vocational programs. In addition, Currence works within the community to nurture partnerships to assist young people with obtaining job skills and opportunities. “We try to build relationships with receptive businesses,” Currence said. “The youth we serve are motivated and looking for employment opportunities, and they need a chance. They are eager to work.” When businesses need to hire, they can contact their area Youth Villages EVC to find suitable candidates. Cultivating relationships with area businesses and schools provides TL youth avenues to further their education and their careers, finding stability and independence. Awareness is key. “Our young people want to go to school and care for their children,” Currence said. “They want the independence that comes with being employed or furthering their education. I look forward to more communities being aware of Youth Villages and what we do as well as how they can be more involved.”
continued on page 4 3
YV STAFF, MOTHER DO WHATEVER IT TAKES FOR FAMILY There was this turtle named Bobby that was rescued…. Chris saw it on the road, rescued it, and gave it to his mother one day during a visit. Chris was in foster care, and Angela, his mother, was working to prepare a home for her son. The moment spoke volumes to Youth Villages family intervention specialists and foster care staff who recently reunited to tell the story of how Chris got to return home. For all of them, it was one of their most difficult cases. “That moment showed me Chris wanted to give his mother a gift, something to take care of,” said Karen Keeter, Youth Villages family intervention specialist. “It also showed a level of trust.” They shared memories of how Angela and Youth Villages’ staff worked together as she created a home for Chris, while a foster family did whatever was needed to help him and assist in reuniting the family. Chris celebrated his 13th birthday with his mother in their home. “It was a real step-by-step process toward reunification,” said Stephanie Garcia, Youth Villages clinical super-
CRISIS SERVICES HELP FAMILY from page 3 Comprehensive Child and Family
Family Intervention Specialist Karen Keeter, far left, and other Morristown Youth Villages staff worked with Angela, center, to create a stable home for her son, Chris. Johnson City Youth Villages staff worked with Chris and a foster family to provide support. Now mother and son have been reunited. Pictured above, left to right, are Keeter, Chris, Adoption Specialist Kelly Mullins, Angela, Transitional Living Specialist Cheryl Stayner and Clinical Supervisor Stephanie Garcia.
visor. “But many of the steps in the
tles, what they ate or how to take care
process were difficult to complete.”
of him,” Angela said. “But it meant a
There was an exhaustive search for
lot to me.”
a water heater for a camper trailer.
At the time, Angela lived in a
Angela didn’t have a car, and got by
camper trailer near a lake. After
living with extended family or by doing
keeping Bobby for a time, she released
odd jobs. Then there was Bobby. “I didn’t know anything about tur-
processed. They agreed the child’s anxiety need-
continued on page 6
board with understanding that the reported hallucinations were goal-driven
ed to be a treatment focus rather than
and not genuine provided a critical
his reported auditory hallucinations.
shift in the focus of treatment for the
The treatment team discussed
child and family, with counselors using
Treatment worker to explain how the
planning for the family’s upcoming
treatment in the home rather than
child used reports of hallucinations for
transition from CCFT to Continuous
residential treatment.
payoff. They agreed the hallucinations
Treatment Team in-home services.
Because of the changing levels of
were not genuine. The CCFT worker
Action steps were put into place to
care, the family went through numer-
said she’d suspected this as well.
help ensure communication through
ous treatment providers.
Before Youth Villages’ SCS involvement, the child was originally referred
this transition of services. The CCFT worker reported on sig-
Being able to work with all entities involved to coordinate a program to
to residential treatment. The SCS
nificant progress the family had made
benefit the child and the family proved
counselor formed a treatment team
since the SCS assessment and all par-
most effective and gave the child and
with an SCS supervisor, the child’s
ties agreed that residential treatment
family the best opportunity for a posi-
therapist and his CCFT worker. The
wasn’t appropriate.
tive outcome.
child’s case was openly discussed and 4
For this family, getting all parties on
FINDING THE COMMON BOND Mother and daughter couldn’t be more different. Over the years, it began to take its toll. Amy is high-energy, always talking and moving. She’s independent, smart and curious as well, which
Mom, daughter work together
ing to their issues. But I saw a family.” Amy was placed in foster care, so
it,” Rebekah said. “We worked on set-
Rebekah met a few times each week
ting structure and guidelines in the
with mother and daughter separately.
home that allowed Amy the freedom
She made a fast bond with both.
to pursue her interests, but still be a
“I was angry at the world, but it was
leads to being distracted easily. It
easy to talk to Rebekah,” Amy said.
makes sitting, listening and com-
“She supported my jewelry-making
municating a challenge. Amy’s in the
and wasn’t judgmental.”
11th grade now, and enjoys writing
to do, but I knew they could both do
Both mom and daughter needed
responsible, contributing member of the family.” Intercept provides treatment to troubled children and families in their own homes at times convenient for the
and art. She
families.
creates bead
The pro-
necklaces and
gram serves a
bracelets, a
broad popula-
hobby that al-
tion of youth
lows her to focus
and special-
and become less
izes in helping
distracted.
families safely
Her mother,
maintain youth
Rhonda, is very
in their home
methodical and
environment.
deliberate. At
Intercept also
home caring for
focuses on
two daughters
reunification
and a fam-
of youth who
ily member left
are in a resi-
Rhonda with a
dential treat-
lot to do at the
ment or foster
end of the day,
home setting;
and the stress
counselors
load began to
are skilled at
fray the edges. She couldn’t communicate
reuniting famiYouth Villages Family Intervention Specialist Rebekah Huggins, right, worked with Rhonda, left, and Amy to find common ground and create a stable home.
with Amy. As Rhonda withdrew, Amy began to act out more. Amy experimented with drugs. She ran away from home. She yelled and threw things. She threatened to harm herself and others. On probation for
lies even when the child has been out of the
time to find their common bond. Rhonda admits the time period was
home for an extended period. Rebekah gradually re-introduced
a true low point for both of them. They
mother and daughter. The foster
weren’t talking – they were yelling.
family also helped. As a result, what
They had become distant.
only a few months before was a family
During the time Amy was in foster
living separately under one roof has
truancy, Amy was referred to Youth
care, Rhonda worked on preparing
Villages’ Intercept intensive in-home
herself and her home. Much of that
“My part was acknowledging who
services program.
meant letting her daughter be her-
Amy is and letting her be that,” Rhon-
“I saw a family who was under in-
changed for the better.
self and find her own way. But it also
da said. “But I also had to let Amy
tense pressure,” Family Intervention
meant Amy had to meet new require-
know that there are expectations. She
Specialist Rebekah Huggins said. “I
ments and follow rules at home.
saw that and we now communicate
also saw a lot of external things add-
“I knew the family had a lot of work
and listen to each other.” 5
YV IN THE COMMUNITY Trunk or Treat This past fall, staff at the Johnson City and Morristown offices hosted their first Halloween Trunk-or-Treat events. Youth Villages Trunk-or-Treat offered a mix of outdoor fun with the safety and security of a central location; instead of going door-to-door, the children went trunk-to-trunk. YV staff and volunteers from the East Tennessee State University Psychology Club, the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi and Alpha Delta Pi helped more than 250 youth in John-
Holiday Heroes Throughout East Tennessee, Youth Villages helps more than 450 children and their families each day. Youth Villages’ Holiday Heroes program is designed to help ensure no child under Youth Villages’ care will go without presents to open for Christmas. It takes a combined effort of individuals and organizations willing to financially sponsor one or more children. This past Christmas, East Tennessee individuals and organizations donated time and gifts for more than 200 children who would not have otherwise had presents. Thanks to everyone involved for making this a success.
son City and more than 500 in Morristown.
raised money to support Youth Vil-
sponsored by Victory Communica-
lages’ TL program. As young adults
tions/Direct2DoorDeals.
ages 17-22 age out of foster care, the
Direct To Door A group of Youth Villages’ Johnson
As a result of the team’s efforts,
TL program assists their transition to
more than $300 was raised to support
independent living.
the TL program.
City staff and five of Youth Villages
The team and youth went door to
They repeated the day again Feb.
transitional living youth being helped
door handing out advertisements for
5 and will continue to raise more
out of the Johnson City office recently
local vendors. The charity event was
money to support the TL program.
REUNITING from page 4
stayed positive and I began to feel good about getting Chris back.” Cheryl Stayner, Youth Vil-
good way.” Chris participated in
gela began to trust herself. She relied on support, but
school activities. He ran
also began to take initia-
on his school’s track team.
tive to move the process
the turtle. Angela methodi-
lages transitional living spe-
The foster parents drove
forward.
cally put things together
cialist, Karen and Stephanie
Chris to visits with his mom.
to get her son back home
helped Angela understand
Everyone worked together
she matched us,” Karen
– parenting classes, coordi-
the legal process toward
to re-join the family.
said. “Conversely, when she
nating rides for visits with
reunifying mother and son.
Chris, going to court, setting
They helped Angela find re-
plifies how Youth Villages
we were also committed to
up medical care, creating a
sources to assist her efforts.
can utilize its resources
help in any way we could.”
space for him – all geared
In the meantime, Adoption
through myriad services to
toward creating a stable
Specialist Kelly Mullins
help a family,” Karen said.
home. And Youth Villages
worked in Johnson City
“Mom was the chief, but it
family intervention special-
with Chris and his foster
also took the tireless efforts
Villages. It’s amazing how
ists were there to help.
parents.
“This case really exem-
“When we stepped up,
stepped up to do something,
Angela and Chris now live together in a nice home. “I’m glad there’s a Youth
of our staff in Morristown
they came in and helped me
“They were good to me,”
and Johnson City and the
make a home,” Angela said.
Youth Villages helped,”
Chris said about his foster
Tennessee Department of
“I was given an opportunity
Angela said. “I was going
family. “They wanted me
Children’s Services to make
to grow and learn and expe-
through a lot of changes
to be happy, but they also
it happen.”
rience being a parent. I’m
and it wasn’t easy, but they
wanted me to leave – in a
“It was amazing how
6
Through the process, An-
enjoying it.”
JOIN OUR EFFORTS
Become a force for families
There are numerous ways to help. Mentor, foster parent, volunteer or financially donate to our programs. Your support can have a direct impact on the future of the more than 450 children we help every day. Please call or e-mail me to find out how to help.
Thinking of a planned gift? There are as many different ways to support Youth Villages as there are needs for your support. If you are new to the concept of planned giving, please click Donate on www.YouthVillages.org and then go to the Planned Giving website for information on wills and bequests, gifts of appreciated stock, real estate, charitable remainder trusts, gifts of retirement assets, life insurance and charitable lead trusts.
Gary Johnson
Resources there include definitions, wording for wills,
Development Manager 865-560-2075
stories of how instruments are created and much more. You may want to visit the planned giving calculator to
gary.johnson@youthvillages.org
see what a planned gift would mean in your unique circumstances. For information, contact Gary Johnson at 865-560-2075 or e-mail gary.johnson@youthvillages.org.
CONTRIBUTIONS ~ The following donors made gifts to Youth Villages between April 1 and Dec. 31, 2010. The board of directors and staff of Youth Villages gratefully acknowledge these thoughtful contributions. If you made a contribution during this time but it is not listed, please call the Youth Villages Development department at 865-580-2075.
YV Family Champion ($5,000-$9,999) First Tennessee Foundation
YV Champion for Children ($1,000-$4,999)
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YV Friend (Gifts up to $499)
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Holiday Heroes
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Ms. Stephanie Garcia 4Y HUK 4YZ . (U[OVU` .LSKLYTHU Good Samaritan Ms. Brandi Granoff Ms. Patricia Grisham Jamie Guertin /HTW[VU 0UU 4Z 4PJOLSSL /HYKPU 4Y HUK 4YZ 1VYKHU /H`ULZ 4Y HUK 4YZ 4H[[OL^ /LSSLY 4Y HUK 4YZ )PSS /LUY` 4Z 1LUUPMLY /VY[PU . ;\YULY /V^HYK 000 0/67 9LZ[H\YHU[ Ms. Melissa Jackson 4Z *OLSZLH 1VOUZVU 4Y HUK 4YZ .HY` 1VOUZVU 2-* *H[LYPUN Mr. Karl Kemmer Mr. Alan Kitts Ms. Kim Kitts Mr. Jim Kotsianas Ms. Kristen Laek 4Y +H]PK 3HU[a 4Z *H[OP 3H`ZVU Ms. Jennifer Logan 4Y HUK 4YZ *SH` 4J*V` Mr. and Mrs. Greg McGuire 4Z >OP[UL` 4J2LL 4Z /LH[OLY 4J2PUUL` 4Y HUK 4YZ 1VOU 4J2PUUL` 4PSSLUUP\T ;LJOUPJHS :LY]PJLZ 0UJ 4Y HUK 4YZ +H]PK 4PUJL` Ms. Alma Morris 5L^ 3PML 4PUPZ[YPLZ 4Z 1VS`UU 5L^OV\ZL Ms. Lisa Orient :HTP 7HYRLY HUK -YPLUKZ ¶ 7YH`LY Group 4Z 2H`L 7LHYTHU 4Y +H]PK 7LYY` 4Z +H^U 7OPSSPWZ
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NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES
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New Heights East Tennessee is published by Youth Villages Managing Editor: Gary Johnson Associate Editor: Chris Pennington Please e-mail gary.johnson@youthvillages.org or call 865-560-2075 to have your name removed from our mailing list.
Founded in Memphis, Tenn., in 1986, Youth Villages has built a national reputation for offering the most effective proNYHTZ HUK ZLY]PJLZ [V OLSW LTV[PVUHSS` [YV\ISLK JOPSKYLU HUK [OLPY MHTPSPLZ ;OL WYP]H[L UVUWYVÄ[ VYNHUPaH[PVU WYV]PKLZ a fully integrated continuum of services, including residential treatment, in-home services, foster care and adoption, mentoring and a transitional living program for young adults aging out of foster care.