New
SPRING
HEIGHTS
2022
FAMILY VICTORIES FROM YOUTH VILLAGES
INTERCEPT RATED “WELLSUPPORTED” ®
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
• INTERCEPT GIVES FAMILY NEEDED SUPPORT • JOB PREP PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ENTERING WORKFORCE • NEW BOARD CHAIR: AMANDA EISEL
UPDATE
FROM YOUTH VILLAGES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR For 15 years, Youth Villages has been providing better outcomes for youth, families and young adults in Massachusetts and New Hampshire through our intensive, community-based in-home counseling services. Thank you to our staff who have worked tirelessly on behalf of the children and families they support and to our donors and volunteers who have invested in these evidence-based practices for our community. We are proud to serve this region and grateful for your involvement as community partners. It is with great pride that I share that the Youth Villages Intercept® program model has received a “well-supported” designation from the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. You can learn more about this designation on the next page of this newsletter. Intercept is one of only 12 programs in the country to earn the well-supported distinction from the Clearinghouse. It shows that the program model provides better outcomes for children and families across the nation and will give states access to federal funding to supplement these critical programs for families. Additionally, the new Intercept for Emergency Diversion program, a partnership with the Department of Mental Health, has grown across the entire state of Massachusetts. Emergency departments are full of children awaiting mental health treatment, and our program prevents children from having to board in emergency departments while they wait for proper interventions. Intercept for Emergency Diversion allows some of these children to be treated at home with our intensive program. Our LifeSet™ program has also played a critical role for hundreds of young adults who have aged out of foster care or otherwise need extra support by helping them find success and live independently. This time period has been particularly difficult for these young adults as they struggle to find their way without typical parental or adult support to guide them. Thank you for your compassion and commitment to our mission. Your generosity allows us to improve outcomes for kids and young adults and gives them the tools to lead the successful life they deserve. You make a difference in the lives of those we serve and for that, we are grateful.
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Matt Stone EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MASSACHUSETTS & NEW HAMPSHIRE matthew.stone@youthvillages.org 781-937-7917
Massachusetts & New Hampshire Advisory Board Amanda Eisel, Chair Peter Campanella Amy Crate Amanda Eisel Ryan Hayden Joanna Jacobson Beth Klarman Kristen Lucken Pamela Giasson Lynch Yvette Lowenthal-Mulderry Mark O’Donnell Malisa Schuyler Wendy Vincent Pramila Yadav
Youth Villages is a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, committed to building strong families, delivering effective services and significantly improving outcomes for children, families and young people involved in child welfare and juvenile justice systems across the country. Founded in 1986, the organization’s 3,400 employees help more than 32,000 children annually in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Youth Villages has been recognized by the Harvard Business School and U.S. News & World Report and was identified by The White House as one of the nation’s most promising results-oriented nonprofit organizations.
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YOUTH VILLAGES INTERCEPT EARNS “WELLSUPPORTED” RATING FEDERAL FUNDING WILL EXPAND PROGRAM TO SERVE MORE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES The Youth Villages Intercept program model recently achieved an important milestone earning the “wellsupported” rating from the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. The rating allows states to receive federal funding to pay for our effective in-home program that strengthens and restores families and reduces the need for foster care or out-of-home care. Intercept is one of only 12 models in the country to receive this highest rating. “Nearly 30 years ago, Youth Villages made intensive inhome services the foundation of everything we do,” said CEO Patrick Lawler. “This endorsement is a testament to the work of thousands of family intervention specialists and will enable the expansion of the program through direct services and implementing agency partners to help more children and families across the country.” Every year, more than four million families across the country find themselves at a difficult crisis point that could cause a child to be placed in foster care or an out-of-home treatment program. Family intervention specialists intercept struggling families, helping them find their way to wellbeing with behavioral and emotional health interventions for the child and systemic support for every member of the family. Last year, Intercept helped more than 10,000 families in 13 states. Youth Villages began intensive in-home services in 1995, through initial funding from the Plough Foundation, and the Intercept program has become an integral part of positive change in child welfare systems in the states where it serves.
The rating is based on two studies led by Dr. Fred Wulczyn’s team from the Center for State Child Welfare Data at Chapin Hall at The University of Chicago. The studies found that Intercept had positive impacts on preventing placement in foster care and helping children achieve permanency quickly if out-of-home care is necessary. The evaluations concluded: Placement: Intercept reduced the chances of out-ofhome placement by 53% following the first maltreatment investigation. The effect of Intercept was sustained at six and 12 months after Intercept services ended. Permanency: Compared to a matched comparison group, after controlling for how long they were in care, the odds of achieving permanency were approximately 24% higher for the Intercept group. Placement–A Second Look: Examining a more recent sample of youth, Intercept reduced the chances of outof-home placement by 37% following a maltreatment investigation. Note that the observation window was shorter for this study, which may partially account for the difference in findings. The Clearinghouse—established by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—conducts objective and transparent reviews of research on programs and services intended to provide enhanced support to children and families and prevent foster care placements. It determines what services can be funded under the Family First Prevention Services Act.
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MAY IS NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
INTERCEPT IS A GAME CHANGER IN MENTAL HEALTH INTERCEPT HELPED CASSIDY WITH HER MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES
In 2019, 16-year-old Cassidy was in an in-patient mental health center. She struggled for years with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. In just one year, Cassidy was hospitalized for her mental health nine times. These hospitalizations were hard on Cassidy as she felt ripped away from her family and her community. Cassidy’s mom, Ellen, wanted to do everything possible to keep her daughter at home when she was referred to the Youth Villages Intercept program. Approximately five million children across the United States have a serious mental health condition, and unnecessary hospital stays can cause significant trauma to a young person. Youth Villages helps keep kids at home and in their communities while receiving mental health treatment by working with the whole family to provide intensive support, new parenting and communication skills, and evidence and strengths-based mental health intervention services. Cassidy struggles every day with anxiety, depression and self-harming behaviors. She also struggled with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts and was not allowed to be left alone for fear that she might hurt herself.
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Now, as part of the Intercept program, Ellen and Cassidy call the 24/7 Youth Villages crisis line to help de-escalate crisis situations when they arise. Mother and daughter meet with their family intervention specialist three times every week, sometimes at home, sometimes in the community—even at Cassidy’s favorite coffee shop. They work on coping skills and grounding techniques,
affirmations, communication and Cassidy’s self-esteem. Her specialist conducts safety sweeps at home and works with Ellen to create safety plans. Thanks to her time and success in the Intercept program, which recently was rated among 12 evidence-based models as “well-supported” by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse, it has been more than a year since Cassidy’s last hospitalization. She is enrolled in a therapeutic school and is on the honor roll. Ellen and Cassidy both feel comfortable and safe leaving Cassidy at home alone now—something Ellen never thought she would be able to do again. Cassidy sometimes still struggles with self-image and negative thoughts. Her specialist created a personalized affirmation book for her to use as a tool when she is having a tough time. “Youth Villages has been an invaluable asset for my family,” Ellen said. “We are very grateful for their help, and they have been a game changer in my daughter’s mental health journey.” For the first time, Cassidy is looking forward to what is next. She now envisions a future for herself and dreams big. She has started visiting colleges and wants to pursue a career in art. “Our specialist managed to support not just Cassidy, but all of us,” Ellen said. “She made us a better family. I will be forever grateful for everything Youth Villages did to keep my daughter alive.”
JOB PREP PREPARES YOUNG ADULTS FOR THE WORKFORCE
Each year, approximately 20,000 young adults across the country turn 18 while in foster care. They are preparing to leave foster care—alone—and statistics tell us that it doesn’t usually end well, with many experiencing incarceration, homelessness and unemployment. The Youth Villages LifeSet program serves as a bridge from foster care to successful adulthood for young people who turn 18 while in foster care. We continue working to improve outcomes for these young adults with 90% of the young people in our program living independently and either having a job or being enrolled in school two years after discharge. One way that Youth Villages works to help improve outcomes for these young people is through our annual Job Prep program. The program helps at-risk young adults in LifeSet find and keep stable employment. Research shows these young people, who have aged out of state services without strong family support, have trouble finding and maintaining jobs. Studies also show that the lack of employment may increase risk factors that contribute to delinquency, homelessness, dropping out of school and substance use. Our 10-week Job Prep program teaches young adults the skills related to obtaining and maintaining employment. Workshops include trainings on job application processes, résumé writing, interview skills, dressing for success and networking. Participants are paired with mentors from the professional community who volunteer to provide mentorship, information about career options, education, training and personal experience to practice these skills.
This is a valuable resource that also encourages success among the young adults we serve. “This is my second year volunteering for Job Prep, and I am excited to continue helping Youth Villages because they target a population that doesn’t get enough attention,” said Nick, a Job Prep coach. “I love seeing young adults grow and gain self-confidence as we try to prepare them for the real world.” Brooke, a young adult in the program, was feeling insecure and doubtful in building her employment skills. Although she felt nervous and oftentimes overwhelmed, she attended each workshop engaged yet still shy. She created a résumé despite limited resources and gained employment one week after the Job Prep workshop ended. She was so proud of her accomplishment and demonstrated noteworthy progress as she took the initiative to apply her newly learned skills to gain employment. “I acquired new skills to help me with job searching,” said Sole, a Job Prep participant. “Interviews are always intimidating, but practicing mock interviews with the group helped me prepare for an interview to decrease my stress and feel excited about my next interview.” We are very excited to kick off another year of our Job Prep program and our goal is for 100% of our participants to find employment by the time the program ends. It is such a proud moment for us when our LifeSet young adults are able to land jobs they love using the skills they learned in the Job Prep program.
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MASSACHUSETTS & NEW HAMPSHIRE CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN JULY 1 THROUGH DEC. 31, 2021
INNOVATOR 100,000+
$
One8 Foundation The Klarman Family Foundation Joshua & Anita Bekenstein Charitable Fund
VISIONARY
Sept. 16 – 23, 2022
50,000 to $99,999
$
There are about 46,000 children and 2,200 young adults in state care, and they need our help to live successfully and achieve independence. They face unimaginable challenges and lack the necessary skills and support systems to achieve success. You can help make a difference in their lives by joining us for the Walk for Independence.
Anonymous Sandy and Paul Edgerley
LEADER
During this weeklong step challenge, we will virtually walk across America to raise money for young people in need.
10,000 to 24,999
$
$
Amanda Eisel and John Becker Mr. Herbert Dike Atreides Management, LP Kristen and Kent Lucken JP Morgan Kristin and Paul Marcus
PROTECTOR 5,000 to $9,999
$
Sara and Michael Bernstein Nike, Inc. Bain Capital Children’s Charity Limited Cogan Family Foundation SBLI Charitable Foundation
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Sponsorships are available for this event and if you’d like more information about how to get involved, contact katherine.dilly@youthvillages.org.
BUILDER
1,000 to $4,999
$
Liberty Mutual Insurance Arnold Worldwide Inc. The Blackbaud Giving Fund Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Greenhill Mr. Dennis Van Oossanen Mr. Mark Healy The Sweetser Family Mr. William Colangeli
*If you made a contribution during this time (above $1,000) but it is not listed, please call 781-937-7900.
MathWorks Brabants Enterprises, Inc. Pamela and Tom Lynch Malisa Schuyler Convertiv Hemenway & Barnes LLP Julie and Wayne Elpus The Ronald G. Casty Family Foundation
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN YOUTH VILLAGES’ PROGRAMS.
JOIN OUR EFFORTS
BECOME A FORCE FOR FAMILIES There are many ways that you and your company or organization can get involved. Host a day of service, attend an event, join our Leadership Council or sponsor a young person through Backpack Heroes or Holiday Heroes. Your support has a direct impact on the hundreds of young people we serve every day in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
GET INVOLVED Donations, Events & General Support
WELCOME OUR NEW BOARD CHAIR We are pleased to announce the appointment of Amanda Eisel as the new chair of the Youth Villages Massachusetts and New Hampshire board. The last 20 years of Amanda’s career have focused on the intersection of health care and technology. She has been deeply involved in creating and scaling multiple growth technology companies including Waystar, Applied Systems and Viewpoint. Amanda is the CEO of Zelis, a leading payments company in health care. She started her career at McKinsey & Company, where she spent nearly a decade advising consumer companies. Prior to joining Zelis, Amanda was an operating partner at Bain Capital, where her focus was on technology and health care IT companies. “I am thrilled to lead the Youth Villages board as the new board chair,” Amanda said. “The future is so exciting for this organization, which has helped children and their families for more than 35 years. I’m honored to be involved and support Youth Villages in its mission and continued growth.” We look forward to the many invaluable contributions she will make to our organization.
Katie Dilly, Director of Development katherine.dilly@youthvillages.org | 781-937-7931
Donor-Advised Fund/Foundation Ashley Socia, Development Coordinator ashley.socia@youthvillages.org | 781-937-7935
Volunteering & Corporate Partnerships Sarah Reilly, Donor Relations Coordinator sarah.reilly@youthvillages.org | 781-937-7905
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Youth Villages is a private nonprofit that serves more than 32,000 children and their families each year from offices in the following cities: Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Mobile Arkansas: Jonesboro, Searcy, West Memphis, Fort Smith Florida: Lakeland Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville Indiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Indianapolis, Madison Louisiana: Metairie Kentucky: Lexington, Louisville Massachusetts: Boston, Marlborough, West Springfield, Raynham, Woburn Mississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo New Hampshire: Manchester, Plymouth North Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Louisburg, Raleigh-Durham, Waynesville, Wilmington Ohio: Worthington Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa Oregon: Bend, Portland, Salem Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, Paris Washington, D.C. New Heights is published by Youth Villages Prefer not to receive a printed newsletter? Email cynthia.vanelli@youthvillages.org or call 901-251-5000. To also receive a digital copy of our newsletters and join our email list, sign up at youthvillages.org/stay-informed.