NewHeights_Spring2010_MS

Gulf Coast family helped with in-home services

New office opened in Hernando

Family Victories from Youth Villages, Mississippi

Transitional living Fred’s making it work at State

ALSO INSIDE:

Marqavius finds a home Harvard studies Youth Villages

YV partners with state to help more children

Spring 2010

A Message From Our Director Partnering to meet the needs of children Mississippi Youth Programs Around the Clock is a unique program developed by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid to assist families of troubled children and adolescents by providing community-based alternatives to residential treatment.

The MYPAC program was created under a waiver that allows Medicaid to focus on keeping youth with serious emotional disturbances in their home communities with intensive individualized services that address all the child and family’s needs. Mississippi Medicaid has created a very innovative, effective program that has recently received recognition through Annie E. Casey’s KIDS COUNT Initiative.

Youth Villages is proud to continue a 15-year partnership with Mississippi as a MYPAC provider. Under MYPAC, children remain with their families while they receive myriad community services, either from Youth Villages directly or working with other community agencies to help ensure all the needs of children and their families are met.

Our MYPAC services include intensive case management services to ensure the child and family’s needs are provided through community linkages and other services, including intensive in-home support, psychiatric medication evaluation and necessary therapeutic services. Through our MYPAC program, we also have the ability to provide short-term community-based or residential respite to address the needs of each individual child. Under MYPAC, each child and family are part of the team that develops a service plan designed to meet the unique needs of the child or adolescent.

MYPAC allows us to serve more children who are in need of intensive mental health services to enable them to stay with their families. It allows us to overcome many of the barriers that children in rural Mississippi have had in terms of access to care. The unique component of MYPAC as compared to more traditional mental health services is the fact that our staff works with families in their homes or with the child in the school and community, wherever problems may be occurring. The wraparound and strength-based approach to finding unique services and solutions for each child and family has proven very successful.

Since MYPAC’s inception in November 2007, we have served more than 300 children and their families, reaching more than 160 families per day. In fact, our story about Rachel on the next page highlights our work through the MYPAC partnership.

Helping children be successful is something Youth Villages is committed to doing.

Through MYPAC, we’re able to carry that a step farther.

We thank you for your support.

Katja Russell Director of Programs in Mississippi and Texas katja.russell@youthvillages.org 601-572-3727 2

Youth Villages Board of Directors Mike Bruns, Chairman Jim Parrish, Vice Chairman 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 Youth Villages The Atrium Building 805 South Wheatley Street, Suite 240 Ridgeland, MS 39157 phone: 601-572-3700 fax: 601-572-3701

To Volunteer: 601-572-3700 901-251-4821 volunteer@youthvillages.org To Donate: 601-572-3700 youthvillages.org/give To Foster: 888-MY-YVKID foster@youthvillages.org

Program Success As a national leader in the field of behavioral health, Youth Villages has measured outcomes of children and families participating in its programs since 1994.

Success is defined as living at home with family. All youth who receive at least 60 days of service from Youth Villages are surveyed at 6, 12, and 24 months following discharge.

The above graph reflects information gathered from July 2000 through March 2010.

Youth Villages’ Mississippi offices Biloxi 1635 Popps Ferry Road, Suite E Biloxi, MS 39532 phone: 228-354-9700 fax: 228-354-9701 Hattiesburg 116 North 40th Ave. Hattiesburg, MS 39401 phone: 601-271-7600 fax: 601-271-7601 Hernando 1558 Monteith, Suites A+B Hernando, MS 38632 phone: 662-449-7440 fax: 662-449-7441

Jackson The Atrium Building 805 South Wheatley Street Suite 240 Ridgeland, MS 39157 phone: 601-572-3700 fax: 601-572-3701 Tupelo 252 S. Veterans Boulevard Tupelo, MS 38804 phone: 662-840-3008 fax: 662-841-0337

Youth Villages helps family torn by hurricane

R

achel is learning a new way.

The 13-year-old was physically and verbally aggressive, missed school and was abusing substances. There needed to be a change, her mother said. And Rachel wanted to change.

Like thousands of families left in a state of upheaval and searching for stability after Hurricane Katrina, this family, too, needed to find a place of support and security. Rachel’s mother, Eileen, sought a nice home and a community for support. Rachel needed stability and guidelines to address poor performance at school in addition to her behavioral issues.

Youth Villages’ in-home counselors first worked to establish boundaries in the home and then worked with the family on consequences for breaking those boundaries.

“Much of the work with the family was establishing rules and consequences for behavior,” said Melissa Reid, regional supervisor for Youth Villages. “Mom had a lot of questions, and we were able to establish monitoring plans and more supervision for Rachel.”

Managing a home, learning life skills and understanding the consequences of disruptive or unproductive behavior were all part of transforming Rachel’s home.

The family found a nice home and also a strong, supportive church community. And Rachel began to see productive alternatives to her behavior. In fact, mom said she made the A-B honor roll at her school. It’s the first time Rachel ever earned an A. “Rachel learned to keep doing the right thing and work to get a problem corrected,” Eileen, her mother, said. “But acting out in anger or being physically aggressive means you can’t do anything.”

Eileen’s learned quite a bit as well.

“Many times, it’s the parents that have to make the change,” she said. “Our income is low, but we have a beautiful home in a nice neighborhood, and we’re looking forward to staying here as a family.”

She’s thankful for what she has, and she’s thankful for the help she received.

“Youth Villages really has a hands-on program, and the counselors went out of their way to help,” she said.

“I’m grateful it was available. It turned this family around for the better.”

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Growing into family; growing to love North Mississippi family adopts foster child of three years The way the Bruces speak of Marqavius, he was already a member of the family.

It just wasn’t official.

But on a windy Monday morning in Holly Springs, his foster parents, Marvin and Linda Bruce, adopted Marqavius.

The Bruces were reluctant foster parents.

They have two birth children.

One’s at college and the younger is 14. But a friend of the family involved in foster care talked them into it.

“The first two weeks were great,”

Marqavius, center, and the Bruce family following adoption proceedings at Marshall County Court

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Marvin said prior to the adoption proceedings.

“But then, the real Marqavius stepped up.”

Affectionately called “Qua,” pronounced “quay,” by his family and counselors, Marqavius was physically aggressive and often suspended from school for fighting.

With the loving support of the Bruces and his Youth Villages

continued on page 5

82%

Percentage of children participating in Youth Villages’ programs who are discharged to their home.

Harvard study lauds Youth Villages The Harvard Business School recently completed a case study that examines Youth Villages’ growth and impact as a national leader in the field of children’s behavioral health in the last decade.

Written by HBS Professor Allen Grossman, Catherine Ross of the HBS Global Research Group and William

Foster, a partner at the Bridgespan Group, the case study explores Youth Villages’ innovative treatment approach, use of research in program development and targeted growth strategies.

The case on Youth Villages was written for inclusion in a new course at HBS called “Leading and Governing Highly

Effective Nonprofit Organizations.”

“Youth Villages is a highly effective organization with quality leadership and a proven approach,” Grossman says.

The complete case study is available at harvardbusiness.org.

New Hernando office Youth Villages has opened a new office in Hernando to help children and families in North Mississippi. Staff at the office work in the intensive in-home and foster care programs and support families and foster parents in Coahoma, DeSoto, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Tate and Tunica counties. From left are Rodney Turner, Kristen Schwenk, Madonna White, Regional Manager Heather Flowers, Lindsey Fitzpatrick and Young Anderson.

Marqavius from page 4

counselor, the 16-year-old slowly learned how to trust.

He became more involved in school activities and learned that aggressive behavior would result in restrictions of things he wanted to do.

“You grow to love someone, and that’s what happened with Qua,” Linda said. “He made a real turnaround, and he’s part of the family now.”

Marqavius is keeping his family name.

He didn’t say much the morning of the adoption proceedings other than “yes, sir” and “yes, ma’am,” but his charismatic smile said enough.

“I’m happy,” he said. “They taught me a lot. I realized it’s better to do right.”

A few moments later, a “yes, sir” to the judge made the adoption official.

Marqavius is a cornerback for his high school football team and a member of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

He reads the announcements during

church, sings in the youth choir and is a member of the drama club.

At first, neither the Bruces nor Marqavius wanted adoption, but as time passed, it began to be a discussion topic.

“Qua’s been in the foster program for about 10 years,” said Young Anderson, Youth Villages foster care counselor.

“We need more families to step up like the Bruces. I’m so happy for Qua and his new family.”

“Now, we need Qua, and we’re glad he’s part of the family,” Marvin said.

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Fred’s making it work Transitional Living program offers support for new independence

F

red’s a people person.

As he makes his way like a local around the Mississippi State University campus, drivers honk their horns and wave, others say hello as they ride their bicycles by.

Some yell from across the way.

Fred yells back, calling to many by name. The valedictorian of his high school last year, Fred has had no trouble making the adjustment to college life.

Fred, right, with TL Specialist Monica Chandler

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“I love it here. I love college life,” he said. “It makes it difficult for me to go back home and visit.”

Almost every positive step of the way, Fred and Youth Villages have had a relationship.

Many know Fred’s story – you can visit the Youth Villages website to see a video of him speaking.

At 13, Fred was placed in foster care.

He was then sent to Youth Villages’ Dogwood Campus, a residential facility.

Following his stay at Dogwood, his aunt took him in, where he received inhome counseling through Youth Villages and graduated at the top of his class.

Now a freshman at State, Fred is in Youth Villages’ Transitional Living program. His counselor is Monica Chandler.

“Fred is doing well,” she said. “Right now, our focus is on maintaining his situation and helping with things as they come up.”

Transitional Living provides ongoing support for young people aging out of another program such as foster care.

Continued on next page

Since 1996, Youth Villages has expanded services statewide and opened offices in Jackson, Hattiesburg, Biloxi, Tupelo and Hernando, with satellite teams to serve the Greenwood, McComb, Meridian and Columbus areas.

YV one of best places to work The NonProfit Times and Best Companies Group have named Youth Villages as one of the 50 Best Nonprofit Organizations to Work For in the United States.

The annual survey and award program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in the nonprofit sector.

The 2010 list of 50 Best Nonprofit Organizations to Work For was chosen in a two-part process.

The primary part, which made up 75 percent of the evaluation, consisted of a randomized employee survey. The survey allowed employees to rank their organizations in eight key areas, including leadership and planning, corpo-

Fred from page 6

From budgeting and maintaining a home to finding insurance and other needs, TL helps youth ages 17-22 get a good start on being a successful adult.

Fred’s always been independent.

But having that support network is providing him an opportunity to learn how to be an adult.

rate culture and communications, work environment, relationship with supervisor and pay/benefits.

The second part consisted of evaluating each organization’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics.

Youth Villages and the American Heart Association were the only two nonprofits in the Top 50 with more than 2,000 employees.

“This is a great honor for Youth Villages,” said Patrick W. Lawler, chief executive officer. “Our employees are on the front lines every day, helping children who have sometimes suffered from abuse and neglect and have very challenging mental health issues.

Among 15 hours of college coursework, Fred is also hunting for an apartment, pursuing internship opportunities and planning to be a counselor this summer at Camp Ozark, a Christian summer camp in Arkansas.

“In college, you study and learn things on your own,” Fred said. “In TL, I’m learning time management and following through with things. I get to take care of things on my own, but I’ve got that support when I need it.”

Meet the YV Family Reginald Starks Regional Representative, Jackson, with Youth Villages for 11 years What is appealing about doing this work in Mississippi? Offering our customers options for treatment. From social workers, psychiatrists to parents, I think they all appreciate having more options available to help children and families. I remember when I first started telling people about Intercept intensive in-home services and what we could do, we got a lot of “Wow, Youth Villages has staff to do that?”

What do you like most about your job?

Being out in the community with the customers. About 75 percent of my time is spent traveling all over the state and discussing opportunities for different communities.

Fred speaks with Youth Villages CEO Pat Lawler during the Youth Villages annual employee conference.

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YOUTH VILLAGES The Atrium Building 805 South Wheatley St., Ste. 240 Ridgeland, MS 39157 (Address Service Requested)

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 1324

A private nonprofit organization, Youth Villages serves more than 15,000 children and their families from offices in the following cities: Alabama: Anniston, Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile Arkansas: Jonesboro, Little Rock Florida: Lakeland, Miami, Tampa Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville Massachusetts: Lawrence, Woburn, Worcester Mississippi: Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Tupelo New Hampshire: Manchester North Carolina: Asheville, Charlotte, Concord, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Hickory, Pinehurst, Raleigh-Durham, Wilmington Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Linden, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, Paris Texas: Dallas Virginia: Arlington, Roanoke Washington, D.C. Please write to Youth Villages’ Jackson office if you wish to have your name removed from our mailing list.

Attn: Jackson office mailing 805 South Wheatley Street, Suite 240 Ridgeland, MS 39157

New Heights is published by Youth Villages Managing editor: Katja Russell Associate editor: Chris Pennington

Founded in Memphis, Tenn., in 1986, Youth Villages has built a national reputation for offering the most effective programs and services to help emotionally troubled children and their families. The private nonprofit organization provides 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.