New Heights North Carolina - Fall 2011

Sisters of Mercy Foundation supports Youth Villages ... 4

Congratulations to our recent graduates ... 5

Family Victories from Youth Villages, North Carolina

Day Foundation invests $42 million in YV ... 5

Fall 2011

Draygon excels Through MST, youth improves at home and at school

Also inside: Back to school tips Holiday Heroes ramps up

A message from Our director

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

A commitment to serving the state’s most vulnerable youth It’s no doubt that uncertain times lie ahead as state and local governments, corporations, foundations and individuals strive to do more with less.

As a provider that produces outcomes nearly twice the national average while operating at a reduced cost, Youth Villages continues to successfully serve youth and families no matter what the economic outlook. In fact, our strongest partnerships are often formed when the demand for proven, costeffective services increases.

This growing desire for impactful, efficient services is evidenced by the success of our transitional living program, a service funded primarily through private dollars.

We recently received a generous gift from the Sisters of Mercy of NC Foundation (page 4) and will serve more than 80 youth across the state this year (read the inspiring story of Gem, a TL participant, on page 4). In addition, Youth Villages was awarded a grant of $42 million from The Day Foundation of Memphis, Tenn. A large portion of this gift, which requires matching funds, will support the TL program.

As a Critical Access Behavioral Health Agency, Youth Villages continues to grow our evidence-based intensive in-home model, Intercept. After maintaining a full team in our Raleigh-Durham area, we are expanding this service to our Greensboro office in the coming months, with plans to eventually deliver Intercept throughout North Carolina.

While the months ahead may seem ever changing, what remains constant is Youth Villages’ commitment to serving our state’s most vulnerable youth and families through cost-effective programs while helping them find longterm success. Thank you for taking time to learn how Youth Villages is transforming the lives of youth and families across North Carolina.

Annie Smith State Director annie.smith@youthvillages.org 910-673-8501 2

YOUTH VILLAGES NORTH CAROLINA OFFICES Asheville 38 Rosscraggon Road, Suite 38C Asheville, NC 28803 phone: 828-654-7700 fax: 828-654-7701 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 Fayetteville 2944 Breezewood Ave., Suite 203 Fayetteville, NC 28305 phone: 910-486-2200 fax: 910-486-2201 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 Hickory 101 Government Ave. SW Hickory, NC 28602 phone: 828-315-7700 fax: 828-315-7701 Pinehurst 5228 North Carolina Highway 211 P.O. Box 1138 West End, NC 27376 phone: 910-673-8520 fax: 910-673-8521 Wilmington 5041 New Centre Dr., Suite 209 Wilmington, NC 28403 phone: 910-392-8990 fax: 910-392-8991

DRAYGON PUSHED FAMILY; NOW PUSHES FOR CHANGE

Meet the YV family

Marla Avery Family Counselor — Wilmington, N.C. North Carolina Topps Coordinator Why did you choose to work for Youth Villages?

“I really liked their values and enjoy working to help others. Youth Villages was very well organized and I observed that the staff working there were very dedicated to the families that they serve.”

Where are you from originally?

“I am originally from Plymouth, N.C.” What do you like best about your job?

Draygon, center, with his stepfather, Chuck, and his mother, Tawnya

“I like when I have worked with a family and things begin to turn around for them in a positive way. I enjoy working

Draygon was pushing his luck, over and over. After one

with the parent or guardian to decrease the frustrations

too many arguments at home, suspensions from school

and behaviors in the home. It brings me great joy to see the

and run-ins with the authorities, his mom was ready to

family complete treatment successfully.”

turn anywhere for help. The family was referred to Youth Villages’ Multisystemic Therapy program, a program that

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

delivers counseling where families need help most: in their

“When I was 6 months old, I had spinal meningitis with a

own homes, neighborhoods and their children’s schools.

temperature that reached 105. I was in the hospital for sev-

The family had worked with counselors before. They

eral months and was lucky not to have hearing problems or

were leery of another counselor coming into their home.

other health problems.”

“I was scared of where Draygon was headed,” his mom, Tawnya, said. “I wanted to see a future for my son and a change for our entire family.”

But when the family met Chantal Stepney, their Youth Villages counselor, their worries faded away.

“We loved her from the start,” Tawnya said. “She wasn’t

*82.7% of you at admissi

NORTH CAROLINA PROGRAM SUCCESS As a national leader in the field of behavioral health,

judgmental. She was here to help our family, no matter

Youth Villages has measured outcomes of children and

what.”

families participating in its programs since 1994.

That’s the moment the family embarked on a challenging, often grueling six-month journey toward change. They started by reducing friction and arguments at home.

100

Outcomes

At Six Six-month month Follow Follow-up up

“We agreed not to yell at each other,” Tawnya said. “We agreed to pull Draygon aside and talk to him calmly as

a behavior contract, agreeing to abide by the rules and to accept the consequences if he didn’t.

40 20

The relationship between Draygon and his stepdad, Chuck, also improved. Part of Draygon’s reward was

0

86% 74% No involvement with the law

with a set of rewards and consequences. Draygon signed

60 At home with family

Chantal helped the family develop a behavior chart

82%

In school or graduated

soon as we’d notice him getting upset.”

80

spending time with Chuck and doing things they both continued on page 7

Figures represent youth served at least 60 days in the Multisystemic Therapy program. Response rate is 53 percent.

3

GEM JUSTIFIES JOURNEY TO SUCCESS Growing up in a poor Raleigh neighborhood filled with drug and gang violence shaped Gem’s life forever. The first time she entered a courtroom, she knew it was where she wanted to be — as an attorney or judge on the other side of the room.

“Where I lived, I saw a lot of criminals and people getting arrested for drugs,” Gem said. “I want to help change the amount of drugs being put on the streets, and I also want to help make the justice system fair.”

Gem has a tough road ahead –

Gem, right, with TL Specialist Sarah

tougher than most. into independent adulthood. Program

has someone who will help her get her

transitional living specialist, is there to

participation is voluntary. Current and

first apartment and enroll in college.

talk, go with her to appointments and

former foster youth may enter the pro-

work with her on budgeting money.

gram anywhere between the ages of 17

living in a foster home but wasn’t at-

and 22, and are assigned a transitional

tending high school any longer.

But she has help. Sarah, Gem’s

“We can talk about anything and ev-

When Sarah first met Gem, she was

erything,” Gem said about Sarah. “She

living specialist with whom they meet

is there when I need her and helps me

once or several times a week based

said. “I wanted to go back to school, but

get information I cannot find.”

on need. Together, they figure out the

I wasn’t really motivated because I had

young adult’s life goals and work out a

no clue where to start. And I also didn’t

strategy for getting there.

really think Sarah could help me.”

Gem finished high school. She’s working at her first job and has a stable roof over her head – she elected

Gem doesn’t have to make that

“I was sleeping late every day,” Gem

After taking some time to talk and

to stay in foster care past the age of

difficult plunge into independent

get to know each other, Gem decided

18, until she is enrolled in college and

adulthood on her own. Unlike so many

to give Sarah a try. They made a plan

ready to live on her own.

other former foster youth, Gem has

to enroll Gem in GED classes, have

Sarah to help her make tough deci-

her take the GED test in February and

al living program in 1999 to help former

sions, to support her when the go-

apply for college by March.

foster youth who lack family or other

ing gets tough, to push her to strive

support make a successful transition

further and reach for her dreams. She

Youth Villages founded its transition-

continued on page 6

SISTERS OF MERCY FOUNDATION SUPPORTS YOUTH VILLAGES Youth Villages received a generous

1999 to address the growing concern

the law; and in school, graduated or

$43,400 grant from the Sisters of Mercy

of unprepared youth aging out of

working.

of North Carolina Foundation to sup-

foster care or state custody, Youth

port the transitional living program in

Villages’ TL program has served 4,082

the Greensboro area.

nationally and 200 youth in North

Foundation supports the work of select-

Carolina since the program expand-

ed tax-exempt healthcare, educational

adults leaving foster care, juvenile

ed to the state in 2008. Since its incep-

and social service organizations.

justice and mental health systems the

tion, the program has maintained an

intensive in-home support and guid-

average success rate of 80 percent

ects that are designed to improve the

ance they need to make a successful

of youth living at home or indepen-

quality of life for women, children, the

transition to adulthood. Created in

dently; reporting no involvement with

elderly and those who are poor.

The TL program provides young

4

The Sisters of Mercy North Carolina

The Foundation seeks to assist proj-

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RECENT GRADUATES! Many youth in the transitional living program recently celebrated their high school graduations.

Graduates include: Greensboro

Raleigh-Durham

Antonio

Gem

Kahlil

Imani

Paradise

Keith Latashia

Hickory

Monica

Heather

Porsha Shatora

Latashia, left

Heather

Antonio

Gem, left, and TL Specialist Sarah

THE DAY FOUNDATION INVESTS $42 MILLION IN YOUTH VILLAGES The Day Foundation re-

death in 2009. His approach

states, there are thousands

Health Agency and offers a

cently awarded a matching

to philanthropy and sup-

more in need. Each year,

wide variety of services to

grant of $42 million to Youth

port of Youth Villages were

as many as 30,000 children

help children and families

Villages to help expand the

highlighted recently in the

will turn 18 and “age out” of

live successfully in North

organization’s transitional

book “Give Smart: Philan-

state custody, being left on

Carolina.

living program that helps

thropy That Gets Results”

their own to make their way

older foster children be-

by Thomas J. Tierney and

in life as an adult.

come successful adults.

Joel L. Fleishman.

It is the largest single

Because the transitional

Prior funding from The

“We are so grateful to the Day Foundation for helping strengthen and grow

Day Foundation allowed

this important program in

grant ever awarded to

living program is funded

Youth Villages to begin

North Carolina,” said Annie

Youth Villages and one of

mostly through private do-

offering transitional living

Smith, director of Youth Vil-

the largest ever to a so-

nations, the grant is crucial

services to young people in

lages North Carolina. “With

cial services organization.

in helping Youth Villages

North Carolina in 2008, and

matching support from

Philanthropist Clarence

maintain and expand the TL

since then, the program has

local or state governments

Day, who began the founda-

program. While Youth Vil-

helped almost 200 young

or private individuals and

tion, was a longtime Youth

lages is helping 1,452 young

people in the state. A pri-

foundations, we can expand

Villages supporter, donating

adults this year through

vate nonprofit organization,

transitional living services

more than $14 million to

the TL program in North

Youth Villages is a certified

to more young people here

the organization before his

Carolina and seven other

Critical Access Behavioral

who desperately need it.”

5

YV CELEBRATES CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK Charlotte: Employees recently met with community members at the MeckCARES Resilience Festival, held earlier this year. Agencies throughout Charlotte joined to celebrate the diversity and resilience of families, while helping raise awareness for Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

Concord: To honor children and families who have struggled with mental health, green balloons were released by Youth Villages staff members. The color green was used during the 1800s to label individuals with mental health disabilities. The children’s mental health community decided

George Edmonds, Youth Villages western regional manager, represents Youth Villages at the MeckCARES Resilience Festival in Charlotte, N.C.

to use the color green to symbolize a new beginning in life, growth and health.

Raleigh-Durham: Staff paid tribute to Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week by wearing green ribbons throughout the week. Megan Castle, Youth Villages CABHA clinical director, also presented on Multisystemic Therapy, a key service being delivered to youth battling mental illness, at a special night meeting of the Wake County Collaborative, a group comprising community members and mental health leaders who address the needs for services in their area.

Concord staff release green balloons for Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

MAYOR BELL VISITS DURHAM OFFICE

GEM from page 4 As soon as Gem was enrolled in GED classes, Sarah helped her find her first job as a hostess at a fast-food restaurant.

“I wouldn’t have my job if it wasn’t for Sarah,” Gem said. “I was scared. Sarah picked me up to take me to the interview. I was going to wear jeans, but she told me to change and put on some slacks to look nice. On the way there, we practiced interview skills. Then she tricked me to get out of the car, or I wouldn’t have gotten out because I was so scared. But they hired me on the spot.”

Gem and Sarah are now working together to help Gem find balance between school and work, especially when schedules conflict.

Gem received her GED and graduated.

Durham, N.C., Mayor Bill Bell, center, recently toured the Youth Villages Raleigh-Durham location, met with staff and had the opportunity to hear from Mariah, right-center, a Youth Villages transitional living client and current sophomore at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, N.C.

6

Now, she and Sarah will work to apply for college.

Be a Holiday Hero this season This year, Youth Villages will help more than 300 children and families in North Carolina who desperately need

YV COMMUNITY TIPS: BACK TO SCHOOL From homework to athletics, going back to school can be

someone to be their Holiday Hero. You,

a demanding time for many families.

your company or organization can be-

Youth Villages’ Multisystemic Therapy consultants offer

come a Holiday Hero by partnering with

the following tips to help families have a positive and pro-

Youth Villages to give children and their

ductive school year:

families a holiday they’ll never forget.

1. Set up an afternoon routine that includes homework

Here’s how it works:

or quiet time where distracting activities (TV, video games,

Q Each child fills out a wish list.

phone) are not allowed until assignments are completed.

Q Heroes receive the wish list, purchase gifts and

You might find less “I don’t have any homework” excuses

arrange to have them dropped off or picked up.

Q Each gift should be unwrapped and bagged together with the child’s name attached.

if mandatory quiet time is enforced regardless of assignments.

2. Bed times should give your teen enough time to un-

Q Heroes may also send a donation to sponsor a child and Youth Villages will do the shopping and wrapping.

Q We ask that Heroes spend a maximum of $75 per child.

wind and get about nine hours of sleep. Remove TVs or other distractions from their room if they have a hard time falling asleep.

3. Build a relationship with school staff at the beginning

To sponsor a child or for more information, contact: Stephanie Hoyle

of the year. Get to know the teachers’ expectations, let them know how often you would like to be communicated

704-357-7943

with, and check in often on your child’s progress.

Stephanie.Hoyle@youthvillages.org

4. Modeling always provides the best example for your

support.youthvillages.org/holidayheroes_NC

teen. If your behavior shows you value education, your teen is likely to follow suit. Try reading while your teen com-

DRAYGON from page 3 enjoyed together.

“We started to really talk,” Chuck said. “And we noticed

pletes homework or checking their homework when it is completed. Providing praise for a job well done or restrictions when school expectations are broken models a positive attitude about their school success.

5. Find out what after-school activities like clubs or sports are offered. Positive activities can help provide supervi-

how much of a difference it made for Draygon to know that

sion, build social skills, provide connections with more

we would be consistent as parents.”

positive peers and promote other healthy behaviors.

Chantal and Tawnya shared behavior plans with Draygon’s teachers and school officials, and the teachers agreed to update mom every time Draygon was having a bad day.

“She taught me a lot,” Draygon said about Chantal. “She taught me how to think before I act and to consider the consequences. I don’t get into trouble as much. She made my

Stay in touch online www.youthvillages.wordpress.com

life better.”

Draygon recently got called to the principal’s office at school. But this call was not about another suspension. Im-

www.twitter.com/youthvillages

pressed by Draygon’s good behavior in school, his principal invited him to his office to chat over a cup of hot chocolate and Oreos.

www.facebook.com/youthvillages

Their Youth Villages counselor is no longer there, but the family sometimes revisits the work they did with Chantal.

“We slipped once and then had a family meeting and got our workbook back out,” Tawnya said. “We have to keep

www.youthvillages.org

working at it.”

7

YOUTH VILLAGES 2815 Coliseum Centre Dr., Suite 230 Charlotte, NC 28217 (Address Service Requested)

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES

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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 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.