The Cemala Foundation supports Youth Villages ... 5
Youth Villages celebrates 25 years ... 4
Employee campaign helps our families ... 6
Family Victories from Youth Villages North Carolina
Jaeqwaun focuses on the future ... 4
Spring 2012
A message from Our director
Demanding more from ourselves means more successful outcomes Since 2006, Youth Villages has provided Multisystemic Therapy to thousands of North Carolina young people and families. In this newsletter we highlight Jaeqwaun, who experienced a series of tragedies, one after another, and it was more than he could take. Only 13 years old, he didn’t know how to cope with the stressful issues he was facing. As a result, his behavior changed for the worse, and he was referred to Youth Villages’ MST in-home services. After a few months of intensive work with Jaeqwaun, his mother and grandmother, Jaeqwaun now talks about what he wants to do in the future. His mother, Shae, is enthusiastic about Jaeqwaun’s future. He likes being at home with his mother. MST was what the family needed to turn Jaeqwaun’s life around, because counselor Janiva Willis worked with the entire family to help Jaeqwaun. MST is built on the principle and scientific evidence that a seriously troubled child’s behavioral problems are multidimensional and must be confronted using multiple strategies. The serious behavior problems of a child typically stem from a combination of influences, including family factors, deviant peer groups, problems in school or the community, and individual characteristics. The MST model calls for simultaneously addressing all of those inter-related areas. Jaeqwaun is only one story highlighting Youth Villages’ effectiveness. In fact, since we began offering MST in North Carolina, the number of children and families we’ve helped has grown each year. Youth Villages is the largest provider of MST in the state. According to data provided by MST, Youth Villages exceeds national outcomes averages in all three categories: Percent of youth living at home; percent of youth in school and/or working; and percent of youth having no involvement with the law. Youth Villages was the first organization to spread MST outside of clinical trials, beginning in Tennessee. Today, more North Carolina children are living successfully at home with their families because of this effective program and our dedicated staff.
Annie Smith State Director annie.smith@youthvillages.org 910-673-8501 2
NORTH CAROLINA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Doug Cruitt — Winston-Salem Lee Prevost — Cary Elizabeth Skvarla — Pinehurst Kristin Wade — Charlotte John White — Durham Carole Wilson — Raleigh Leigh Young — Asheville
YOUTH VILLAGES NORTH CAROLINA OFFICES Asheville 38 Rosscraggon Road, Suite 38C Asheville, NC 28803 phone: 828-654-7700 fax: 828-654-7701 Boone 895 State Farm Road, Bldg. 500, Suite 506 Boone, NC 28607 Charlotte 2815 Coliseum Centre Dr., Suite 230 Charlotte, NC 28217 phone: 704-357-7920 fax: 704-357-7921 Concord 363 Church St. North, Suite 200 Concord, NC 28025 phone: 704-262-1320 fax: 704-262-1322 Raleigh-Durham 100 Capitola Dr., Suite 310 Durham, NC 27713 phone: 919-474-6400 fax: 919-474-6401 Greensboro 7900 Triad Center, Suite 350 Greensboro, NC 27409 phone: 336-931-1800 fax: 336-931-1801 Greenville 2428 Charles Blvd. Greenville, NC 27858 phone: 252-215-5700 fax: 252-215-5701 Pinehurst 5228 North Carolina Highway 211 P.O. Box 1138 West End, NC 27376 phone: 910-673-8520 fax: 910-673-8521
Program Success
*82.7% of youth were in state custody at admission to theYouth program. As a national leader in the field of behavioral health, Villages has measured
outcomes of children and families participating in its programs since 1994.
Meet the YV family
NORTH CAROLINA PROGRAM SUCCESS
Rachel Minick MST Counselor Boone, N.C.
100 80
74%
84% In school or graduated
20
84%
No involvement with the law
40
Where are you from originally? “I am originally from Wilkesboro, N.C.”
At 12 12-month month Follow-up Follow up
At home with family
60
Outcomes
0 The graph above represents the status of North Carolina youth at one year after discharge through December 2011. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 53 percent.
How long have you worked with Youth Villages? “I started in the Johnson City, Tenn., office in April 2011 and moved to the Boone office in November 2011.” Why did you decide to work at Youth Villages? “I believe in the strength of families and the importance of keeping families together. I love working with young people and seeing them meet their goals.” What do you like best about your job? “Helping families and the youth be successful and make positive changes in their lives.” What’s something most people don’t know about you? “I love hats and wish I could wear a fancy hat every day!”
KEYONA, A YV SCHOLAR, HAS PLANS TO GIVE BACK Transitional living program providing support as Keyona becomes more independent At the age of 10, Keyona entered foster care, and was eventually placed with her grandmother. After her grandmother passed away, Keyona began to bounce from family to family — six to be exact. After graduating from high school in Guilford County, Keyona began searching for stable hous-
ing. She needed to get a job. She wanted to go to college, but she didn’t know where to go or how to go about filling out a job or college application. Her Guilford County Links coordinator referred Keyona to Youth Villages’ transitional living program. The TL program provides young adults leaving foster
care with the intensive support and guidance they need to make a successful transition to adulthood. The program helps young people learn to deal with the minor and major problems that come with adulthood. TL specialists help participants find housing and health services, learn how to access transportation and meet their basic needs. Specialists teach life
continued on page 5
Keyona
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JAEQWAUN WEATHERS THE STORM, NOW FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE Jaeqwaun had a lot happen to him at once. Close family members passed away. He was abused at his school and then he was taken out of his mother’s home for a short time. It was maybe too much to handle for anyone, let alone a 13-year-old. Jaeqwaun began to act out while at school. It was serious. He was even referred twice for partial-day hospitalization for school disruptions. School problems occurred daily. When he moved back home with his mother, Shae, the troubles continued. “He was referred to us for his aggressive and other negative behaviors at school,” said Janiva Willis, Youth Villages North Carolina family intervention specialist. “It was constant, daily disruptions at school.” During her first visit to the home, Janiva first noticed the relationship between Jaeqwaun and his mother – it was good, but there weren’t any boundaries. Shae had difficulty following through with consequences for Jaeqwaun’s poor choices, which escalated the behavior. “In the home, there wasn’t any consistency,” Shae said. “I didn’t follow through with rewards for good behaviors or consequences for bad ones.” Janiva said Shae’s issues may have been because of guilt over what Jaeqwaun had endured. They were more like friends than a mother and a son. Janiva first worked with the family to increase structure and routine in the home and define for Jaeqwaun exactly what was expected of him at home and at school. Shae 4
worked with Jaeqwaun’s teachers to set up behavior plans at school. “We did a lot of coaching and role playing and Shae did a great job as an advocate for Jaeqwaun at school,” Janiva said. “She bought in from day one and we were all on the same page to help Jaeqwaun get better.” Jaeqwaun learned coping skills to better handle his frustration at school. “I learned breathing techniques, using personal time out and how to communicate appropriately with my teachers,” Jaeqwaun said. “If I’m frustrated or don’t want to do something, I find a way to ask for help.” Janiva met with the family three times a week. Some sessions focused on Jaeqwaun’s issues, while others were about Shae and the home life. But both mother and son met with Janiva, who said they were committed to the program. “The change was immediate,” Janiva said. “We started rolling out expectations and they worked together on the rewards – you saw an immediate change in how they interacted and how Jaeqwaun behaved.” Janiva said Jaeqwaun and his mother are looking forward to their new future as a family. “You could just tell Janiva really cared,” Shae said. “She cared to see a difference with the family, and we want to keep working on our new skills and help sustain the changes we’ve made in the home.” Jaeqwaun is improving at school. Extended family completes a support network for mother and son, and all are enthusiastic
Jaeqwaun and his mother, Shae, center, with family counselor Janiva.
about Jaeqwaun’s future. “Before I was off task and stayed negative,” Jaeqwaun said. “Now, things are fun
and I’m getting along well with my mother and doing better at school.”
YV CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF HELPING KIDS AND FAMILIES Founded in Memphis, ily RestorationTM. Tenn., in 1986 with the All our programs and merger of two residential services operate under this campuses, Youth approach, which Villages now ofemphasizes five fers a complete elements: family, continuum of measurement, programs and community, services with intensity and acone goal in countability. VI LLAGES ® mind: building Today, Youth The force for families VI L LAGES strong families. Villages pracThe force for families With more tices EFR with than 25 years more than 18,000 of experience youth and famiin children’s mental and lies each year in 11 states behavioral health, Youth and the District of Columbia Villages developed a through an array of residenspecific approach that has tial, in-home and communibeen shown to give children ty-based programs. with the most challenging North Carolina is Youth emotional and behavioral Villages’ second-largest problems and their families state, serving more than 70 their best chance at longcounties through intensive term success. We call this in-home and communityapproach Evidentiary Fambased programs. 1 9 8 6 - 2 0 1 1
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®
YOUTH VILLAGES WINS FIRST PLACE IN STARBUCKS CAMPAIGN With the help of community members across North Carolina, Youth Villages placed first in the Starbucks Community Card Promotion, Vote Give Grow, earning $35,000 to support programs across the state. Individuals with registered Star-
bucks cards were able to vote once a week throughout the month of April to help determine how the Starbucks Foundation distributed $4 million to 124 local non-profit organizations. Youth Villages also placed first in Arkansas, New Hampshire, Oregon
and Tennessee, resulting in $145,000 in overall support for the youth and families we serve.
THE CEMALA FOUNDATION SUPPORTS YOUTH VILLAGES The Cemala Foundation recently awarded Youth Villages $50,000 over two years to help sustain the transitional living program in the Greensboro area. Youth Villages’ transitional living program provides young adults leaving foster care, juvenile justice and mental health systems the intensive in-home support and guidance they need to make a successful transition to adulthood.
KEYONA from page 3
skills like budgeting, menu planning and grocery shopping. Keyona is a sophomore at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro and has even made the dean’s list. She is also a YV Scholar, which means she receives financial and personal supports, including a Youth Villages mentor, to help her excel and take full advantage of her educational experience. Each year, Youth Villages selects as YV Scholars a group of young people
“The Cemala Foundation Board members made this investment anticipating great outcomes from the transitional living program,” said Susan Schwartz, executive director of The Cemala Foundation. “We are hopeful that many young people leaving foster care will receive the support they need to have successful, productive lives.” The Cemala Foundation’s gift will be matched by The Day Foundation’s
challenge grant to provide a total of $100,000 in support, helping ensure that youth will continue to have longterm success through Youth Villages’ research-based programs. The Cemala Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1986 by Martha A. and Ceasar Cone II to continue the family tradition of commitment to enhancing the quality of life of the community though grants to qualified charitable organizations.
participating in its transitional living program. As YV Scholars, these young adults from across the country receive extra support from Youth Villages to go to college and make a successful transition to adulthood. The YV Scholars program is made possible through private donations, including gifts from Youth Villages’ own employees, who give to the program through the annual Our Family Campaign. To maintain the scholarship, the youth have to maintain academic and community service requirements. Keyona is majoring in social work and plans to graduate from North Carolina A&T and become a professional social worker, helping youth in foster care. Above, Keyona prepares a self-assessment using different cards during a YV Scholars meeting. Keyona plans to become a social worker following graduation.
In the left photo, YV scholars recently gathered in Atlanta, Ga., and toured the CNN building. In addition to the CNN tour, the scholars also visited the Georgia Aquarium.
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Employee campaign helps our families Youth Villages North Carolina would like to thank our dedicated staff members for their commitment to Youth Villages’ mission and for helping the organization serve more children and families through the Our Family Campaign. In September 2011, North Carolina employees came together to enjoy Jeopardy-themed fun while pledging more than $45,300 to benefit children, families and staff across the state. Since 1998, Youth Villages employees have given more than $6.9 million dollars to support the work of our organization.
YV staff celebrate during the Our Family Campaign.
LOUISVILLE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT DONATES BOWL TICKETS Dozens of Youth Villages’ youth and families had the opportunity to attend the Belk Bowl game in Charlotte, N.C., in December, courtesy of the University of Louisville Athletic Department. Families as far away as Asheville, N.C., traveled to the game and enjoyed the action from the first rows of the stadium. “It was the best time our family has had in a long time,” said Dale Day from Millers Creek. “Our seats were great; we could see the whole field!” Thank you to the University of Louisville for supporting Youth Villages. Dale Day’s family members, Angie and Jasmine, pose outside Bank of America Stadium.
HOLIDAY HEROES PROVIDES $13,000 IN SUPPORT A big thanks to all Holiday Heroes who helped children and families throughout North Carolina experience the joy of a memorable holiday season. From wrapping parties in Raleigh, to events in Greensboro and Charlotte, it wouldn’t have been possible without your help. Youth Villages would like to take a moment to recognize some of our Holiday Heroes sponsors who combined to provide more than $13,000 in support:
Wish List Warrior
Big Dreamz Mentoring
Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc.
Butler Delivery Service
Cheer Maker Great American Professional Risk Insurance Holiday Helper Brazwell’s Premium Pub NC Department of Corrections OrthoCarolina Piedmont Air Conditioning Storr Office Environments Inc. Gift Guardian AT&T Greensboro
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Alexandria Real Estate Equities employees show off their giftwrapping skills in the Youth Villages RaleighDurham office.
CaroTrans Coastal Outlet George’s Pizza Mac Daddy’s Progressive Computer Systems Inc. Rapha Family Foot Care Stan Beck Insurance Synergy Commercial Advisors Wil-Mar Service Center Inc.
Meggie Cenci, Derek Stutts and Rob Honeycutt show their holiday spirit at the Youth Villages Holiday Heroes event in Charlotte, N.C.
Holiday Heroes volunteer LaRosha Paul drops off Holiday Heroes gifts to benefit children at Youth Villages.
LEARN MORE ABOUT YV Looking for an expert on behavioral or mental health? Contact Stephanie Hoyle at stephanie.hoyle@youthvillages.org or 704-3577943 to ask how a Youth Villages expert can benefit your organization or community group. To find out if Youth Villages can help you with a child in your care, contact Sarah O’Reilly at sarah.o’reilly@youthvillages.org, call 704357-7946, or visit www.youthvillages.org/referring-professionals.aspx to fill out a completely confidential questionnaire.
BACKPACK HEROES Join Youth Villages in a unique opportunity to help children in need put their best foot forward this school year. Backpack Heroes provides new school supplies for underserved children receiving help from Youth Villages. For more information on how to help, contact Stephanie Hoyle at 704-357-7943 or stephanie.hoyle@youthvillages.org.
STAY INFORMED ON THE FORCE FOR FAMILIES Interested in receiving the New Heights newsletter online? Sign up for our e-newsletter and we will send you a free Youth Villages T-shirt. Visit support.youthvillages.org/NCtshirt and enter your information.
YV COMMUNITY TIPS: HELP PREVENT BULLYING Has your child been a victim of bullying? Youth Villages’ MST consultants have provided the following tips for helping your family identify and prevent bullying. 1. Teach your teens to tell a trusted teacher, parent or family friend if they are victims of bullying. 2. Parents should set up meetings with school staff, children’s parents or other adults who can work to stop the bullying. 3. Monitor teens’ Internet and phone access as cyber bullying is on the rise. Monitor the information your teen adds to social media sites and the comments and messages your teen receives as well as text messages. 4. Bullying can have consequences on our teens’ emotional well being. Watch out for any signs of depression, including isolation, increased irritability, giving away possessions, written or oral communications with a theme of death or depression and/or abuse of alcohol or other substances. Monitor your teen appropriately and connect with mental health services immediately (emergency room for immediate danger, family counselor, psychiatrist, pediatrician, etc.) 5. Teach your teen to respect others by modeling appropriate communication and by setting appropriate limits for your teen’s communication with others in the home, school and community settings.
A Note of Thanks To all those who have supported our work in North Carolina though a leadership gift during the last year, thank you. Your continued generosity allows us to provide the most effective services to children and families. The Cemala Foundation The Duke Endowment Hodges Family Foundation Richard W. Jennings Foundation The Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation Alexandria Real Estate Equities Brazwell’s Premium Pub Great American Professional Risk Insurance Healthy Minds Now NC Department of Correction OrthoCarolina Piedmont Air Conditioning Premier Inc. Progressive Computer Systems Inc. Rapha Family Foot Care Storr Office Environments Inc. Synergy Commercial Advisors Wil-Mar Service Center Inc. Leslie Bevacqua-Coman Anna Browning Douglas Cruitt Melissa Dolesh Josh Foltz Glen Graves Frederick Hess Robert Honeycutt Frankie and Jim Honeycutt Susan and Jeff Hoyle Bryan Hunt Douglas Miskew Dr. Rochelle Mikkelsen Clayton Owens Scharme and Lee Prevost Elizabeth and John Skvarla Dr. Karl Thor Melissa Verdery Kristin Wade Carole and Brad Wilson
Stay in touch online youthvillages.wordpress.com www.twitter.com/youthvillages www.facebook.com/youthvillages www.youthvillages.org 7
YOUTH VILLAGES 2815 Coliseum Centre Dr., Suite 230 Charlotte, NC 28217 (Address Service Requested)
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES
A private nonprofit organization, Youth Villages serves more than 18,000 children and their families from offices in the following cities: Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile Arkansas: Jonesboro, Little Rock Florida: Lakeland, Miami, Tampa Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville Indiana: Bloomington, Jeffersonville, Madison Massachusetts: Lawrence, Plymouth, Springfield, Woburn, Worcester Mississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Tupelo New Hampshire: Manchester North Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Concord, Greensboro, Greenville, Pinehurst, Raleigh-Durham Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Linden, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, Paris Washington, D.C.
New Heights North Carolina is published by Youth Villages
Managing Editor: Stephanie Hoyle
Associate Editor: Chris Pennington
Please e-mail stephanie.hoyle@youthvillages.org or call 704-357-7943 to have your name removed from our mailing list.
Founded in 1986, Youth Villages is a private nonprofit organization with a national reputation for offering the most effective programs and services to help emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families live successfully. The organization helps more than 18,000 children and families each year from more than 20 states and Washington, D.C. Youth Villages’ Evidentiary Family Restoration™ approach involves intensive work with the child and family, a focus on measuring outcomes, keeping children in the community whenever safely possible, and providing unprecedented accountability to families and funders. The EFR approach produces lasting success for children, with success rates twice that of traditional services at one-third the cost of traditional care.